Product training is a basic entry requirement for all levels of the distributor partner programme. Authorised Distributors receive the following number of days of product training when joining the programme:

• Asta Powerproject – 2 days

There are two options for training:

Training held in the UK
Product training is free of charge if undertaken at Asta’s UK offices. However you will need to pay travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses for your staff.

Training held outside the UK
If product training is required outside the UK, then the cost of travel, accommodation and subsistence for one training consultant will be charged at cost. This can be a more cost effective option, particularly if you need to train more than one member of staff.

Authorised Distributors are offered a half day of sales training and entry into Asta's sales academy. The purpose of the Asta Sales Academy is to bring sales staff to an accredited standard for their software demonstrations. Training and assessment takes place via conference call and over the internet.

Software Translation

If the Asta solution is not already available in the required language, Asta can provide varying types of support with software translation to suit the requirements of the Authorised Distributor. Support can take the form of additional discount for a specified period. Alternatively, Asta can manage the translation services on behalf of the Authorised Distributor. Authorised Distributors have the opportunity to make changes to the translation to ensure the terminology is appropriate. Asta retains copyright to all translations of its software. Specific details of translation and any associated costs are negotiated and included in the Authorised Distributor's contract.

Information and communication

Asta publishes a monthly newsletter keeping distributors and resellers up to date with recent company developments, product news, and customer wins. Distributors and resellers will also be encouraged to contribute to the newsletter and share news about customer success stories.

Asta holds an annual two-day conference in a different European city each year. The conference focuses on key commercial issues, including the product 'road map' for the coming year. The conference is designed to be motivational and has a supporting social programme designed to facilitate networking amongst Asta's top distributors.

Online Support

Distributors have access to their own online sales and marketing support. It is a password protected area, accessible from the Asta website, where distributors and resellers can access specific information and product knowledge to help them succeed with Asta solutions. For instance:

• Sales presentation templates and artwork for product brochures are available to download.
• Competitor intelligence is available in an easy-to-read format.
• Read case studies of Asta's success stories in the UK and abroad.
• Brochures, logo's and source files for marketing collateral.

Sales and marketing

Authorised Distributors are provided with named contacts at Asta in sales, marketing and support. Any queries that cannot be handled by the named contacts are escalated to an Asta Director.

Asta provides distributors with collateral for sales and marketing activities. Distributors receive a 'start-up' set of product brochures, demo CDs and evaluation software. In addition, Authorised Distributors are also issued with five full demonstration licence for either Asta Powerproject or Asta Teamplan.

Companies that meet the entry criteria for Authorised Distributor are entitled to use the Authorised Distributor logo on their website and marketing literature. This logo is an endorsement of the high quality service you provide to customers in relation to your chosen Asta solution.

Asta will produce a press release, with your approval, announcing the new partnership. This release will be circulated to the UK press, reseller press and made available on Asta's website. Distributors are welcome to send the release to suitable journalists in their own country.

Support

Authorised Distributors have access to telephone, email and web-based support from the Asta UK support team. Support queries are diagnosed by the helpdesk and categorised into four levels of urgency. The helpdesk will attempt to resolve most urgent queries within one hour, and all enquiries within eight hours, subject to helpdesk opening hours.