Celebrating its two-year anniversary, AT&T Partner Exchange has rolled out new features for its more than 275 solution providers.
The program enhancements include:
- Investment Development Funds
- Certification Achievement Program
- Innovation Ecosystem Additions
- Simplified Program Tier Structure
The company has also grown interest in the AT&T Application Programming Interface (API) platform. Since its launch last fall, traffic on the platform has nearly tripled.
“APIs are a game-changer, and AT&T is leading the way in helping the marketplace unleash their transformational potential,” said Avi Lonstein, CEO of AireSpring. “Already, we’ve seen our sales of AT&T services increase by millions of dollars in the last year.”
Investment Development Funds will soon be available for solution providers who invest in activities beyond marketing. This includes sales and operational consulting, contracting support, API development and systems enhancements to platforms like billing and service assurance. Funding will be available through a portal where solution providers can select from a list of third-party vendors ready to help meet their internal business transformation objectives.
The Certification Achievement Program helps solution providers build in-depth knowledge of specific product and service offerings in three technology tracks: Network, Cloud/Hosting and Mobility. The program includes an already-released prerequisite level – Core – and two certification tiers – Professional and Master, which are coming later this year.
The innovation ecosystem brings in third parties to help solution providers evolve using value-added services. This includes Billing-as-a-Service (BaaS). With BaaS, solution providers can access tools from BluLogix, Omniware™, OneBill™ and Profitec to ease the billing process.
The latest addition to the ecosystem helps solution providers use the AT&T API platform to create a customized experience for service availability, quoting and ordering. MasterStream, FPX and ChikPea have joined the ecosystem and are working with solution providers to help them develop innovative software solutions so they can better meet the needs of their businesses and customers.
And finally, AT&T Partner Exchange is simplifying its existing tier structure. The two-tier structure will include Platinum and Platinum Elite levels. As solution providers move through the program, they’ll have access to enhanced pricing and benefits, such as additional market development funds.
“Two years ago, we launched an innovative business model centered around solution providers, and we’re moving fast as we build on our momentum. As we grow AT&T Partner Exchange, we will continue to make bold moves on behalf of our customers,” said Brooks McCorcle, president at AT&T Partner Solutions. “We’re committed to our solution providers’ success. And we’re constantly exploring opportunities to help strengthen their businesses and maximize their benefits within our program.”
