The 411 on Cloud 411

Business customers are embracing cloud- and subscription-based technology services, and turning to their trusted technology partners – solution providers – for help. The channel needs to be well-versed on this new distribution model and technology, which, for some providers, is akin to learning a new language.   

That's why PlanetOne Communications, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based master agent, created Cloud 411, an online repository of such materials as data sheets, PowerPoints, whitepapers and videos on a variety of different cloud-related topics and technology for its community of more than 400 agent partners. This exclusive resource for PlanetOne's partner community lets partners go to one place to peruse resources aimed at helping providers close more deals with customers, said Ted Schuman (pictured), PlanetOne CEO.
 
Cloud 411's range of resources and contributed materials covers a variety of cloud-related topics, such as disaster recovery, hosted voice, visualization, storage and infrastructure from about 20 different PlanetOne supplier and vendor partners. And with more than 200 suppliers and vendors, the repository is only growing, Schuman said.    
 
"Think of it as an online rolodex for just about any kind of sales resource, tool, or information [a solution provider] might need,” he said.
 
Schuman shared how Cloud 411 came to be, and how the repository can help partners educate themselves on cloud-related topics to grow their recurring revenue streams. The following are excerpts from the conversation.

(Photo Courtesy: PlanetOne Communications)