In order to assist you in choosing the best partner for your business needs, below is a description of the various partner types and an explanation of the differences. Keep in mind that in order to sell certain products in the Nortel Networks Enterprise Portfolio, a channel partner must be accredited to sell those products See Product Accreditation. Partner Advantage Partners Authorized Resellers System Integrators Stocking Distributors

Related Links Locate a Distributor/Reseller Product Accreditation Become a Channel Partner

Partner Advantage Designations
The Partner Advantage is a tiered designation program. Each designation increases requirements in the areas of competency skills, support infrastructure, resources and customer satisfaction.

• Elite Partner - With the highest level of requirements met, the Elite Partner has product expertise across Nortel's complete data, voice, and applications portfolios for Enterprise customers. They have Qualified Sales Professionals, certified design and support personnel, and offer advanced in-house support services. Their customers are surveyed annually and their customer satisfaction scores are monitored. The Elite Partner has achieved Nortel's top level of performance.
  
  
• Premium Partner - At the next level, the Premium Partner has met our high standards and has product expertise across multiple Enterprise product portfolios. They have Qualified Sales Professionals, certified design and support personnel and offer enhanced in-house support services. North American Premium Partners may also deliver service through an authorized 3rd-party. Their customers are surveyed annually, and their customer satisfaction scores are monitored.
  
  
• Advantage Partner - The entry level in the Partner Advantage Designation Program is for Channel Partners who have a focused expertise on Nortel Enterprise data, voice, or applications portfolios. They have Qualified Sales Professionals, certified design and support personnel, and offer basic support services.

Nortel-authorized Resellers are comprised of two types: Nortel Reseller or Contracted Nortel Reseller: Nortel Resellers (NNR) are authorized to sell and service any non-restricted product available in the Nortel Enterprise Portfolio. In addition, partners that have a contract (CNNR), may participate in both the Partner Advantage Designation and Product Accreditation Programs.

Nortel recognizes the importance of System Integrators (SI) to communicate and implement our joint solutions to their customers across the globe. SIs are a key part of Nortel's Global Solution Partner Program, which provides the tools and resources the SIs need to help deliver and support our solutions.

A Stocking Distributor is a channel partner that stocks Nortel Enterprise Portfolio products and sells only to resellers.