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FalconStor's channel program is also getting a facelift with new training and competencies, new partner resources, and a new proprietary lead management console that links with Salesforce.com, Kinkade said.
In terms of redeveloping the FalconStor brand, McNeil said the company has instituted a number of changes.
The first is a new internal program he called RUM -- short for reliability, usability, and manageability -- which brings in the company engineers to re-evaluate and audit current projects related to a product launch scheduled for early second quarter.
"I want to make sure my developers can look me in the eye and tell me they're building the most reliable, highest quality data protection products in the market," he said.
FalconStor has also brought together its first customer and partner advisory councils, McNeil said.
The customer advisory council will meet on a quarterly basis, at which time FalconStor will brief customers on plans and get their feedback.
"There's no bigger reward for me than for an engineer to hear insight from customers," he said. "Engineers are the smartest people on the planet, but they don't use the products like the customers do."
FalconStor's new partner advisory council, led by Turner and Kinkade, will help the company better understand its channel partners' concerns about the company's direction, McNeil said. The council includes 14 partners, including national, regional, federal, and direct marketing companies.
McNeil's being named as CEO is a really smart move by FalconStor's Board of Directors, said Greg Knieriemen, vice president of marketing at Chi Corp., a Cleveland, Ohio-based solution provider and long-time FalconStor partner.
"Jim's strategic vision for FalconStor and about where the industry is going in terms of virtualization and cloud computing is spot-on," Knieriemen said. "Now it depends on his ability to execute. And he has the ability."
Talk is cheap, and is the last thing FalconStor needs, Knieriemen said. "FalconStor is lucky to have him has CEO," he said.
Knieriemen is reserving judgment on Turner for now, as he has not had much chance to get to know him yet.
However, Knieriemen said, Turner has a lot of work ahead of him with the changes occurring at FalconStor. “There is a good foundation of data protection solutions at FalconStor,” he said. "Turner is going to need to capitalize on that foundation and build a good team quickly that is going to exceed expectations.”
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