“Just in time for the holidays, Red Hat seems to have figured
out that resellers are key to the Linux business. Following Caldera
Systems’ groundbreaking reseller work, Red Hat is expanding and
evolving its channel programs.”
“The top of the news is that Red Hat is introducing Reseller
Starter Kits. These kits, which only are available from
distributors, start at $500 and increase from there. Building on
Red Hat’s previous announced plans, these give both beginning and
experienced resellers the packages they need to advance their Red
Linux sales….”
“At first glance, these changes appear cosmetic. The real
change, however, is in the distribution model. In the past, you
could work directly with Red Hat; now, you must get these packages
from distributors. The kits will be available from both Red Hat’s
first distributors–Ingram Micro, Tech Data and Jones Business
Systems Inc; and their just announced distributors Keylink and
Hall-Mark Global Solutions. Besides delivering the package, the
distributors also will be handling first contact for some reseller
support, training and solutions engineering.“