Tech Data gives License Online new look and feel
Intuitive interface and enhanced tools make it faster and easier for software resellers to find the best vendor licensing programs
for their customers and manage orders more efficiently
Munich, 9 April 2009 – Tech Data Europe has made further enhancements to License Online (LOL), its market-leading web-based licensing system that makes it faster and easier for resellers to find the right vendor programs and build quotes for their customers, and to place and track orders through to fulfilment.
The new version of LOL has an updated user interface that is similar in look and feel and consistent in operation to InTouch, Tech Data’s online product information and ordering system. This will make it easier for the thousands of users who are already familiar with InTouch to make efficient use of LOL. A streamlined process flow means that resellers can now find and order software licenses in just four simple steps. Special Navigation panes ensure that they can see exactly where they are in the process at all times and it is now possible to add to orders from all screens.
Workflows for all vendors have been standardised and the addition of a ‘Top Sellers’ section enables users to quickly and easily identify the most popular licensing products and add them to the shopping basket.
Tech Data has also provided enhanced order tracking functionality within LOL and has added pre-defined reports. The advanced search capability makes it easier to find current and historical information and to help resellers familiarize themselves with the new LOL, Tech Data has produced an interactive demonstration and is sending a Quick Reference Guide to all registered customers.
Bert Schep, Group Manager Software EMEA at Tech Data, says that the new features are designed to make the system much easier for resellers to use. “There are now over 130,000 different licenses from a wide range of leading software vendors available on LOL. It is important therefore, that we make it as quick and easy as possible for resellers to find the right program for their customers.
“By giving LOL an interface that is consistent with InTouch we are making the system more accessible for the many thousands of users that already place their product orders online. The simple four-step process and quick guide to the current top sellers speeds up the whole process of identifying, quoting and ordering licenses, saving resellers time and enabling them to respond faster to customer requests.”
All the changes have been made in response to reseller feedback, notes Schep. Last year, Tech Data surveyed 4000 of its regular LOL users as part of the continuous improvement and development program that it has carried out since first launching LOL in 2003. This has enabled the company to focus its investment on the areas that customers see as the most important.
“Our customers were very positive about all aspects of the system but wanted us to make it even easier to use”, says Schep. “The enhancements we have made in the new release of LOL not only make it simpler, they also speed up the quoting and ordering processes. That means resellers can provide a better service to their customers on software licensing and ensure that they are making the most of all their new business and renewals opportunities.”
Tech Data’s vendor partners have welcomed the enhancements to LOL.
Jason Ellis, Vice President Channel EMEA at Symantec comments: "These changes will deliver considerable and immediate benefits to our Partners. These are industry leading tools; I'm confident that Partners who leverage them will spend less time on administration, and more time with customers."
Wolfgang Ebermann, EMEA Vice President for Small Midmarket Solution and Partner Group at Microsoft, says: "We welcome the investments and enhancements Tech Data is making to License OnLine. It will drive cost-efficiencies for resellers and allow them to better serve their customers with targeted offerings. It's key in the current market environment that Tech Data is enabling Microsoft partners to deliver a more accurate, timely and valuable service on the Microsoft's licensing program offers."
The new License Online system will be fully available on Tech Data web sites over the next few weeks.
About Tech Data
Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world's largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 100,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these value-added resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 105th on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $24.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009.
To learn more, visit www.techdata.com
Press contact:
Nigel Judd, Marketing Services Director, Europe
Tech Data Europe
Tel: +(351)917204492
E-mail:
http://www.techdata.com
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