Mobile operator Vodafone Ireland has embarked on a new departure from its data sales strategy with the creation of a new data channel through which IT companies will be appointed as indirect sales channels for Vodafone data products such as the BlackBerry and the 3G Mobile Connect Card.
In the first move, Sharptext has been appointed as key distributor to the channel and will manage the distribution of Vodafone’s data products to new approved resellers.
The Data Channel Programme is a new international initiative within the Vodafone Group, which provides a comprehensive range of incentives, training and support services to Vodafone-accredited IT resellers.
Colm McVeigh, head of corporate and business in Vodafone explained: “By broadening our own data sales channels and by working with an experienced IT distributor such as Sharptext, we will provide our customers with greater opportunity to have their existing IT reseller fulfil all their mobile data connectivity needs.
“Mobilising access to the office through the use of products such as the BlackBerry from Vodafone and the Mobile Connect Card have proven to be a huge success for our customers and have helped to increase productivity for many corporate and business clients.
“This new Data Channel Programme will enable Vodafone to increase the number of customers we can target and, with the help of IT resellers, broaden the diversity of applications that can be powered by Vodafone’s mobile data solutions and 3G network,” McVeigh said.
Emer Bhreathnach, commercial director of Sharptext, said the agreement will enable her company’s base of resellers to offer their customers a full range of world standard IT and mobile solutions.
By John Kennedy
