Epson revamps channel

Bangalore

August 28th, 2007

Epson India recently announced changes to its channel structure, especially
for its digital imaging solutions and printer products. According to N
Sambamoorthy, Senior General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Epson India,
"The restructuring integrates partners within Epson into two broad
categories - the Epson Accredited Partners and Epson Certified Channel. Under
the new, consolidated channel model, all partners would be able to take the
entire range of Epson products to customers."

Earlier Epson partners had varied business identities based on the kind of
products they dealt with like Epson Authorized Dealers for dot matrix, Epson
Business Partners for inkjet consumer products, Regional Distributors for
consumables and more. "Epson has now consolidated these entities into the
Epson Accredited Partner," said Sambamoorthy. The Epson Accredited Partner
will have access to the complete range of offerings from Epson. The resellers
for different product groups have been put under the broad category of Epson
Certified Channel.

According to Sambamoorthy, "The existence of two hierarchy levels will
improve Epson's consistency and ease doing business with the channel. Also
resellers will be recognized and rewarded on the basis of products with which he
services his customers."

According to Epson, this consolidation has been made to enable the channels
provide end-to-end customer solutions from Epson. "The partners now have a
clear roadmap. We will continue to empower our channel through certification and
it is up to them to choose how many Epson products they want to stay with,"
Sambamoorthy added.