ScanSource, Inc., recently announced that it will soon launch SUMO, a networking community that enhances partnering opportunities for value-added resellers, hardware vendors and independent software vendors.

SUMO is supported by ScanSource (News - Alert) business units in all geographic locations, and is comprised of the key types of businesses in the specialty technology space. It also encompasses a Google (News - Alert) search application that would allow members to seek out potential partners by entering specific search criteria into a search bar.

SUMO said it hopes to expand its partner network, thus creating a search engine in a closed community, allowing value-added resellers to close more deals that offer more relevant information to users.

With the new “networking community,” resellers would then be able to find partners in other technology industries and locations. In an illustration, company sources said that SUMO-generated partnerships can help value-added resellers to effectively extend their geographic reach and help them create alliances by identifying companies with specific technology or vertical market expertise.

In addition, with independent software vendors looking for help in marketing, it is likely to get potential value-added resellers partners.

"We have found SUMO to be a great networking tool,” said Hili Shrem, director of business development for Visual Retail Plus. “We are looking to grow the number of resellers offering our POS software, and SUMO has allowed us to speak to management-level representatives of companies that we never would have learned about if it weren't for this tool. We are clearly talking to the right universe of people and look forward to gaining new business opportunities."

"We are seeing more and more members of our channel explore partnerships as a means to extend their sales and support 'reach' and be competitive in more deals and opportunities,” said Bobby McLain, vice president of marketing for ScanSource. “SUMO allows VARs to easily explore and broker new relationships that can enhance their offering, in essence taking the networking opportunities typically afforded only at conferences and trade shows and putting it at their fingertips 24/7.”

"SUMO delivers targeted results relevant to our customers' and vendors' specific needs, allowing them to effectively expand their business and create incremental demand for their products and services,” he added.

ScanSource is a leading international value-added distributor of specialty technology products. and has seven sales units in North America, Latin America and Europe.

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf