ShoreTel Simplifies and Enhances Champion Partner Program with Move to Rewards-Based System

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- ShoreTel® (NASDAQ: SHOR), the leading provider of brilliantly simple™ phone systems and unified communications solutions, today announced a simplified and enhanced Champion Partner Program driven by a points-based system. The program encompasses both cloud and onsite sales while offering channel partners increased involvement in the delivery of cloud services.

The new Champion Partner Program moves to a points-based reward system with one annual target, enabling partners to earn points based on the value they provide in the marketplace. With a points system, ShoreTel merges its cloud and onsite partner tracks into one program and consolidates 11 tiers into four. ShoreTel partners now have control over how they meet their commitments and can do so through a combination of cloud, onsite and hybrid sales and ShoreTel Connect™ training.

The program also offers an expanded role for channel partners in the delivery of cloud services.  New functionality in ShoreTel Connect – the new common platform for onsite, cloud and hybrid deployments – will allow partners to participate in the implementation and support of their cloud customers and create incremental business opportunities for partner-provided value-added services. Another enhancement will allow partner names to appear on ShoreTel Connect CLOUD bills. In addition, partners can learn how to capitalize on the cloud opportunity by enrolling in ShoreTel's newly created Cloud Implementation Academy. This collection of courses, offered at no charge, will teach partners how to participate in the delivery of cloud services and monetize the opportunity. 

"We recognize the importance of adapting our channel program as the needs of the market evolve, and we're proud to be among the first to move to one common program with four iers based on a points system," said David Petts, senior vice president of worldwide sales at ShoreTel. "ShoreTel has once again worked extensively with its channel community to create a progressive program in which everyone can thrive. Now, partners choose what to sell based on customer needs and are rewarded regardless of where they put their resources. The program enhancements complement the ShoreTel Connect platform by rewarding partners no matter which deployment model the customer selects."

Blue Fox Group is a ShoreTel Enabled partner in Phoenix, Ariz. Mike Lindsley, partner, said: "With the new Champion Partner Program, we now have control over how we meet our commitment and are not concerned about carrying two quotas. This enables us to lead with ShoreTel, to focus on the customer and the best solution to meet their communications needs. ShoreTel has made it brilliantly simple for partners to know how to achieve their partner level."

Training has always been a key part of the ShoreTel Champion Partner Program. With this update, ShoreTel is offering new modular training, based on ShoreTel Connect, that will drive higher partner competency with less resource investment. Rewards have been added for certification training above minimum requirements so partners can also earn points that count toward their tier targets.

Other enhancements to the program include:

• Opportunity Registration – the approval process has been streamlined and the reward increased by 50 percent.
• MDF (Marketing Development Funds) benefits have been extended to cloud.
• Cloud Commission options have been simplified.

The new program goes into effect on Nov. 1, 2015. The partner-branded billing for Enabled partners will begin in the near future. For more information, please click here.

About ShoreTel, Inc.

ShoreTel, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOR) is a leading provider of brilliantly simple IP phone systems and unified communications solutions powering today's always-on workforce. Its flexible communications solutions for onsite, cloud and hybrid environments eliminate complexity, reduce costs and improve productivity. Recognized for its industry-leading customer experience and support, ShoreTel's innovative business phones, application integration, collaboration tools, mobility, and contact center applications enable users to communicate and collaborate no matter the time, place or device, with minimal demand on IT resources. ShoreTel is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and has regional offices and partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.shoretel.com.

ShoreTel, ShoreTel Connect and the ShoreTel logo and "brilliantly simple" are trademarks or registered trademarks of ShoreTel, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks herein are the property of their respective owners.

Media contact:
Katie Maller
408-962-2786
[email protected]

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SOURCE ShoreTel

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