Level 3 Adds Channel Tiers, Partner Advisory Board

Level 3 Communications has launched the Level 3 Partner Program, which establishes a new tiered structure for channel partners. It has also formed a partner advisory board.

The move is geared at expanding the reach of its portfolio, which international wide area networks, IP services, collaboration and voice services, and the company’s newly launched security suite. Support features include increased pre-sales design support, increased channel manager staff and what the company calls “support for creating end-customer demand,” which presumably refers to marketing and business development tools.

“Level 3 partners have the ability to grow their businesses by selling on a local, regional and global level with dedicated, local support,” said Michael Jerich, vice president of the Level 3 Indirect Channel. “They have a vast portfolio of end-to-end solutions in their arsenal that are complemented by new tools, systems, and processes that will augment the selling effort to their customers and will make doing business with us as easy as possible.”

Under the new program, Channel Partners will be categorized using a new, three-pronged tiering structure – Elite, Premier and Authorized – which establishes revenue commitments and delineates the level of support partners receive. Higher-tiered partners will receive additional benefits, such as dedicated account team resources, market development funds, leads for new partners and deeper go-to-market support.

“In addition, an enhanced partner experience team will help partners navigate their end-users’ lifecycle management to ensure a high-quality Level 3 customer experience,” the company said.

Agents also will have access to the Level 3 Partner Portal, which provides them product information, marketing resources, training and network maps, as well as on-net selling tools and contracts. It also has an online quoting platform.

Meanwhile, Level 3 has established a partner advisory board to offer a range of functions: share feedback; explore revenue growth strategies; provide updates on company strategy, direction and service roadmaps; facilitate a closer relationship between members and the company; and leverage member feedback to implement change where it may be needed.

“Channel members agree that Level 3?s creation of this new advisory board will help facilitate open communication among its management team and member partners,” said Jay Bradley, advisory board member and president of telecom services for Intelisys.  “Most importantly, we can provide Level 3 valuable insight into channel partner issues and concerns, which will help strengthen the program and our relationships.”

Additional advisory board members are: Dave Gardner, president, Advantage; John Cunningham, CEO, BCM; Ian Kieninger, CEO, AVANT; Matt Harty, president and CEO, CNSG; Joel St. Germain, CEO and founder, GCG; Brad Miehl, CEO, MicroCorp; Steve Moody, vice president – Carrier Services, Presidio; John Kirby, president, SCI; Jerry Goldman, CEO, Select Conferencing; Shane Heise, CEO, Simplify; Ed Degenhart, COO and co-founder, Subsidium; Ken Mercer, senior vice president, TBI; and Adam Edwards, president, Telarus.