Intermedia joins the Cloud Industry Forum in channel enablement drive

Commenting on Intermedia’s reasons for joining the Cloud Industry Forum, Richard Walters, General Manager for Intermedia EMEA, said: ‘’There are some shining examples of resellers that have fully embraced Cloud – and are reaping the rewards as a result – but there are many that have yet to adopt it. Intermedia can support resellers who are uncertain as to how to take their first steps to the Cloud, as much as we can support those that are looking to transition their whole business to the Cloud.

“There’s a significant opportunity, but moving successfully to the Cloud does call for fundamental changes to resellers’ business models and it’s important that Cloud providers like us can support their transition. The work of the Cloud Industry Forum is crucial to driving change in the industry. Working alongside its community of members we plan to drive Cloud enablement and identify new ways we can support the channel,’’ he added.

Intermedia’s Cloud management platform is completely tailored to the IT channel for both VARs and MSPs. The platform includes Intermedia’s Office in the Cloud™ suite of business Cloud applications, and encompasses over 20 tightly integrated IT services with products such as Hosted Exchange for business-grade email. Intermedia’s award-winning partner program enables partners to profit from the Cloud without changing how they do business. Intermedia provides all of its partners with premium marketing tools and resources for building awareness and driving demand. There are no minimums, commitments or program fees.

Jarmila Yu, Intermedia’s International Marketing Director, added, ‘’At Intermedia, we believe it’s vital that SMBs have the freedom to focus on managing and growing their business. IT staff need to focus on how technology can help enhance their business, rather than spending time on managing their IT systems. Equally, partners must be better equipped and enabled to help SMBs move to the Cloud. As a vendor we must do whatever we can to help both partners and SMBs capitalise on the opportunities that Cloud applications offer. Intermedia’s brand campaign in the UK, its newly enhanced channel partner program, and its strategic channel relationships, now including the Cloud Industry Forum, set out to evangelise all of these points and bring this to life.’’

Alex Hilton, CEO of the Cloud Industry Forum, commented: “The channel has a critical role to play in the continued adoption of Cloud services and is well placed to educate the market on the opportunity that Cloud represents and to help manage the transition from on-premise solutions. However, to do that, resellers need to ensure they have a clear understanding of the roles of all parties in the delivery of services and establish effective on-going partnerships with suppliers. Intermedia stands as a good example of a Cloud provider that is fully committed to supporting the channel and we are therefore very pleased to welcome them to our roster of members.”