As midsize companies scale up, solution provider offers expanded support and 20-user version to capture additional SME business
Phoenix — June 2, 2006 — QuickBooks maker Intuit has unveiled a new channel initiative for its QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions, aimed at providing greater support for its flagship solution to midsize enterprises, as well as a new 20-user version of its flagship enterprise solution.
The pilot program was announced this week at the company's inaugural QuickBooks Enterprise User Conference, which drew C-level managers, customers, partners and developers from across the country to Phoenix for the event.
Currently, more than 25,000 businesses use QuickBooks Enterprise as an alternative to their current business management systems, according to Intuit, which has seen its revenues rise 116 percent this year against last. Intuit attributes increased sales, at least in part, to high demand from companies that have abandoned competing offerings that are too complex — and costly — for their needs.
The new program is intended to address this demand by providing marketing, support, training and lead generation tools to help partners locate potential customers and work with current users to maximize the return on investment in the product. Program members will receive Intuit's highest discounts on QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions business management software and commissions for sales bundled with professional services.
More Than Just Software
The company said it collaborated with a steering committee of software resellers and QuickBooks ProAdvisors to create the program. Intuit also said it is limiting membership to QuickBooks Enterprise-certified advisors with "significant experience" in assisting mid-market clients.
Jim Gregg, newly appointed channel director for Intuit, said that he would apply his more than 15 years experience in developing and managing channel strategies to his new position. "Our team designed a program that helps participants take advantage of the vast opportunity to help mid-market companies get the powerful business management software they need with the legendary simplicity of QuickBooks," Gregg said.
"A large number of companies need more than just software to help them successfully grow their businesses," James Cliame, a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and Enterprise Solution Provider Program steering committee member. "What they want is a local advisor with deep product knowledge to help them get the most out of the system through personalized attention and ongoing consultation."
Scaling to the Mid-market
According to Intuit, the company has beefed up QuickBooks Enterprise with a new SQL database and faster multi-user performance to help meet the needs of midsize firms. For companies looking for increased scalability, Intuit also announced the immediate availability of a new 20-user version of QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions. This addition gives customers the choice between five, 10, 15 and 20 concurrent users, enabling them to select a product that is tailored to their needs and works the way they work.
"Being able to have as many as 20 employees on QuickBooks is crucial to our success," said Marg French, IT manager of Chatfield Lumber in Eyota, Minn. "The ability to host 20 users at the same time will allow me to stay with QuickBooks Enterprise and not have to worry about re-training my staff on a new system."
More information about the pilot QuickBooks Enterprise Solution Provider Program, including specific membership requirements and an application form is available at www.quickbooksenterprise.com/solutionprovider or by calling (877) 556-4349.
Additional Articles of Interest
— For more information on solutions for mid-market enterprises, see "Stuck in the Middle" in the April/May 2004 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— For a quick-read update on supply chain enablement projects and solutions for the busy executive, read the "Supply Chain Executive Briefing" in the April/May 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
Phoenix — June 2, 2006 — QuickBooks maker Intuit has unveiled a new channel initiative for its QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions, aimed at providing greater support for its flagship solution to midsize enterprises, as well as a new 20-user version of its flagship enterprise solution.
The pilot program was announced this week at the company's inaugural QuickBooks Enterprise User Conference, which drew C-level managers, customers, partners and developers from across the country to Phoenix for the event.
Currently, more than 25,000 businesses use QuickBooks Enterprise as an alternative to their current business management systems, according to Intuit, which has seen its revenues rise 116 percent this year against last. Intuit attributes increased sales, at least in part, to high demand from companies that have abandoned competing offerings that are too complex — and costly — for their needs.
The new program is intended to address this demand by providing marketing, support, training and lead generation tools to help partners locate potential customers and work with current users to maximize the return on investment in the product. Program members will receive Intuit's highest discounts on QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions business management software and commissions for sales bundled with professional services.
More Than Just Software
The company said it collaborated with a steering committee of software resellers and QuickBooks ProAdvisors to create the program. Intuit also said it is limiting membership to QuickBooks Enterprise-certified advisors with "significant experience" in assisting mid-market clients.
Jim Gregg, newly appointed channel director for Intuit, said that he would apply his more than 15 years experience in developing and managing channel strategies to his new position. "Our team designed a program that helps participants take advantage of the vast opportunity to help mid-market companies get the powerful business management software they need with the legendary simplicity of QuickBooks," Gregg said.
"A large number of companies need more than just software to help them successfully grow their businesses," James Cliame, a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and Enterprise Solution Provider Program steering committee member. "What they want is a local advisor with deep product knowledge to help them get the most out of the system through personalized attention and ongoing consultation."
Scaling to the Mid-market
According to Intuit, the company has beefed up QuickBooks Enterprise with a new SQL database and faster multi-user performance to help meet the needs of midsize firms. For companies looking for increased scalability, Intuit also announced the immediate availability of a new 20-user version of QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions. This addition gives customers the choice between five, 10, 15 and 20 concurrent users, enabling them to select a product that is tailored to their needs and works the way they work.
"Being able to have as many as 20 employees on QuickBooks is crucial to our success," said Marg French, IT manager of Chatfield Lumber in Eyota, Minn. "The ability to host 20 users at the same time will allow me to stay with QuickBooks Enterprise and not have to worry about re-training my staff on a new system."
More information about the pilot QuickBooks Enterprise Solution Provider Program, including specific membership requirements and an application form is available at www.quickbooksenterprise.com/solutionprovider or by calling (877) 556-4349.
Additional Articles of Interest
— For more information on solutions for mid-market enterprises, see "Stuck in the Middle" in the April/May 2004 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— For a quick-read update on supply chain enablement projects and solutions for the busy executive, read the "Supply Chain Executive Briefing" in the April/May 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
