Smartphone maker BlackBerry of Waterloo, Ont., wants to collaborate better with solution providers and has adjusted its BlackBerry Partner Support Services (BPSS) program to reflect that.
The biggest enhancements to the BPSS are new program levels with options to enable channel partners to price programs more efficiently and have more consistent margins.
BlackBerry will also free up its technical support representatives for the channel to provide better access. There will also be a new entrance criteria offering discounts tied to BlackBerry certifications.
In the past, the channel partner support program operated on a per-incident model. BlackBerry has changed this approach after getting channel feedback. The company said it recognized the need for a more consistent cost structure that aligns to the way the channel does business. BlackBerry will usher in a per-user (device) per-month fees instead of the per-incident model.
In addition, BlackBerry will monitor channel business needs to provide better access to its technical support teams. The company said that whether it’s a small issue or extensive troubleshooting, the technical support options for resellers will be more comprehensive.
Finally, Tier 3 support customers had an upfront program fee in the past, BlackBerry is now requiring BlackBerry certification, which the company expects most solution providers already have.
The BPSS program will also go beyond the traditional reseller and will include app developers.
BlackBerry told CDN through a blog post that the goal of these changes is to ensure that solution providers are able to collaborate with BlackBerry so that they can provide customers with top notch support.
Solution providers can register for BPSS at partners.blackberry.com.