Channel Strategy
Ecosystems and channels in transformation mode
I have lived and breathed software channels my entire career. I learned how they worked as a young product manager for Finland’s second-largest software ERP company. My channel career took off when I became head of development for a Finnish data warehousing/analytics company, where we built channels in Western Europe and the US. I learned…
Read MoreBusiness models are changing for MSSPs and MSPs due to AI – threat or opportunity?
Each industry is facing pressure with the advent of AI. Based on my experience working in the channel for 30+ years, some channel partners will survive, and some will eventually become irrelevant. That is just the reality of business, and I saw this happening when some MSPs did not want to face the reality that…
Read MoreWill AI break the business model for some channel partners?
Some writings on the web made me “compelled” to think about AI and how it might impact channel partners. To give some context to my thoughts, I should give some background. I have lived and breathed the channel for 30+ years within the software industry. My boutique consulting company, TELLUS International, has been the foundation…
Read MoreBenefits of Partnering?
In my previous blog entry, “Elements of effective partnering with Microsoft,” I highlighted a few key elements that I know Microsoft appreciates in its partners. The world is full of solutions; each partner wants to be part of the winning story, but it takes hard work to succeed. In this blog, I focus on what…
Read MoreElements of effective partnering with Microsoft
I often get a question from partners about what one needs to have in place to partner effectively. I always say that the relationship is an investment, both sides need to gain from it, and the partner should not automatically expect there to be an interest by Microsoft. In my tens of business design session…
Read MoreIs your software SaaS solution channel friendly?
Every software vendor needs to think about the question whether its SaaS-solution is channel friendly. And I am not talking about channel friendly from a financial perspective, but also from the perspective how your channel partners can administer its end users customers and deploy the solutions. One of the biggest challenges that many software vendors…
Read MoreSaaS Channel Compensation
SaaS Channel compensation is one of the hardest things that software vendors are facing today. If you have a nice traditional software business model with good software maintenance revenue and mature channel, you are reluctant to change or touch it. Let’s dive into some of the difficulties that software vendors are experiencing. I am currently…
Read MoreComplexity of Building a SaaS Software Channel Program
In my previous blog entry, I discussed about the complexity of channel development and channel alignment. I recommended for SaaS software vendors to use Business Model Canvas to compare the business model with the assumed business model of its prospective channel partner. During the past few months I have spent time building a SaaS channel…
Read MoreIs the cloud killing your business?
Cloud adoption is accelerating and it is also in the process killing many businesses. I read today an interesting blog entry “Are Cloud Vendors Cutting Out the Channel” and this article explains in great detail what is happening on the marketplace in respect to channel partners including value-added resellers (VARs) and MSPs. I remember vividly when…
Read MoreComplexity of Channel Development for SaaS Software Vendors
Channel development can be complex if you have a SaaS solution and you want to ensure that your growth comes through the channel. I have spent my past 20 years involved in software channel development on many continents and I have seen many different variations in both failure and success. I think the biggest obstacle for many…
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