NBN Co appoints Ingram Micro, Westcon-Comstor, Dicker Data, Aria Technologies as first four distributors for ICT channel program

NBN Co has revealed the first four distributors that will educate and support partners in the network operator's new ICT channel program.

The new distributors are Ingram Micro, Dicker Data Westcon-Comstor and Aria Technologies.

The program, which went live in April, is intended to help provide ICT consultants with the resources required to connect businesses to the NBN, including training, marketing and support services. The program allows resellers to respond to customer enquiries about the network and refer them to an RSP.

The program has two main tiers, 'certification' for individual ICT professionals and 'accreditation' of IT businesses with a certain amount of NBN certified staff.

One of the selling points of joining the program was the support offered from participating telcos, vendors and distributors. NBN Co channel chief Keith Masterton said that the program had already recruited 300 ICT partners, 75 of which were accredited advisers.

"Now we’ve taken the next step in evolving this important channel initiative with the appointment of four major technology distributors that will collaborate with NBN Co and work closely with our sales and marketing support teams to help ensure the nation’s businesses can get the information they need to get the most out of the NBN access network," Masterton added.

Westcon was one of the pilot partners in the program's early stages as a distributor for Cisco, another pilot partner, joining the likes of Computer Troubleshooters Australia, Telstra and Vocus Communications. Carriers like Telstra, Optus, TPG, Vocus remain NBN Co's exclusive route to market.

“Westcon-Comstor’s participation in NBN Co’s ICT channel program has helped us identify significant benefits partners can offer business customers moving services to the NBN access network and sees our partner network better positioned to service clients," Westcon managing director Phil Cameron said.

"Partners that have participated in the program will also be able to assist their customers to take advantage of a once-in-a-generation business transformation with solutions connected over the NBN access network."

Ingram Micro's director of cloud services Lee Welch said: “Being a strategic participant of NBN Co’s ICT channel program will enable our network to better migrate and integrate business-ready technology solutions over the NBN access network and service their clients more effectively during their transition, and beyond, with the new capabilities provided to them with cloud services.”

Dicker Data's general manager for software Pennie Stevens said: “By being a strategic participant of the NBN ICT channel program, we’ll enable our partner network to access information to help them migrate and integrate business-ready modern technology solutions. This opens our partners up to the opportunity to service their clients with their connectivity transition and drive further uptake of our cloud services.”

Aria Technologies director of sales and marketing Peter Williamson said: “Aria Technologies is delighted to be participating in NBN Co’s ICT channel program.

"As a major distributor of [information technology and telecommunication] IT&T solutions to Australian businesses via our network of more than 300 channel partners, it is essential that we are at the forefront of the ever-changing technology landscape. The NBN access network is an industry game changer and this new program will help to equip our partners with the necessary know-how to educate and advise their business customers with authority.”