Winstar Connects with Great Plains
More and more companies are seeing evidence of the importance of strategic alliances and partnerships and are acting on this realization. This week, broadband services company Winstar Communications, Inc. formally announced its partnership with e-business solutions provider Great Plains Software, Inc.
The partnership will allow Winstar to host and distribute Great Plains’ e-business applications.
In addition, Winstar will add to its portfolio of ASP offerings, which already include Web-based versions of Microsoft Exchange and Office software, for the small business marketplace. The company will also incorporate Great Plains apps into hosted offerings, targeting a variety of vertical industries from financial services to hospitality, media and communications.
Roger Pilc, vice president and general manager, Winstar’s Internet and hosting services group, believes the company’s relationship with Great Plains serves as the next step in Winstar’s strategy of delivering superior ASP apps over its end-to-end broadband network.
“Great Plains has an industry-wide reputation for application sophistication and innovation,” he said.
Currently Winstar Communications, Inc. is one of a few select participants chosen by Great Plains Software, Inc.
for its partner program.
Winstar will provide small business customers with a set of network-enabled apps for financial services, distribution, enterprise reporting, project accounting, e-commerce, HR, management, manufacturing, sales, customer service and support functions. The solutions will be delivered through Winstar’s broadband network and its enterprise class date centers. The products will also be offered through the company’s direct sales channels, Office.com.
ASP-News has learned that Winstar will announce additional channels and partners in the coming weeks.
Jim Traynor, director of ASP business development, Great Plains, believes Winstar’s network, data centers and expertise when it comes to providing broadband services make the company an ideal partner for the distribution of Great Plains solutions.
“This alliance enables us to bring our applications to the rapidly growing small business market through a variety of dynamic channels,” he said.
Under terms of the alliance, the companies will undertake in joint sales, marketing and promotional programs.
