Oki Data Americas has a new channel chief and a new channel program.
Despite these developments in the U.S., Oki Data Canada’s operation will maintain the status quo, said country manager Gus Puccin.
The Mississauga, Ont.-based subsidiary’s goal for 2007 is to increase its number of solution providers by 10 to 15 per cent. Currently, Oki Data Canada is working with its dot matrix resellers to carry more of its colour and MFP line of printers, Puccin said.
“We are in a different area right now than the U.S. We are a year behind the U.S. We are trying to recruit more solution providers. The new solution providers we are looking at have not dealt with Oki Data before,” Puccin said.
In the U.S., Oki Data has dropped its old channel structure and has adopted a tiered plan. This new plan is intended to give partners financial incentives as well as joint sales calls and business road maps for partners.
On the heels of these channel changes is the appointment of Greg Van Acker as the company’s channel chief.
Van Acker was named vice president of U.S. sales for the printer company based in Mount Laurel, N.J. about a week ago. Van Acker will be responsible for managing the U.S. sales organization, including the company’s national sales strategy as well as the development and maintenance of relationships with Oki Data Americas’ enterprise, SMB and channel partners. Prior to this promotion, he was vice president of U.S. channels and public sector sales, in which he oversaw the company’s distribution partner, large format retail, direct marketing, public sector and BTA sales areas.
As far as the Canadian operation goes, Puccin said “it is business as usual.” He is excited about Van Acker as the new channel chief and added that he would consider the new tiered channel program in a year’s time from now.
“We are not doing the U.S. program in Canada. We are looking at the new program and we will work with the U.S. on marketing,” Puccin said.
Puccin did say Oki Data Canada is getting ready to introduce a new line up of mono MFP printers and low end colour printers for the Canadian market.
