Channel Portals 
This is a Latitude Fact Sheet on how to improve the extended enterprise through a channel portal.
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Jason Patino
734-716-7904
Jason.patino@latitudcg.com
1Latitude Consulting Group 888-577-2797 www.latitudecg.com Paths to Optimizing the Extended Enterprise Channel Portal Latitude channel portals drive performance through incentive systems, balanced scorecards, and learning and certifi cation management systems. By providing a common platform and data between corporate and channel partner staff , the extended enterprise can reduce application support costs and manage channel learning and performance more eff ectively. A web-based channel portal can proviid a single architecture and a single launch point for applications that improve performance and processes. When channel partners number in the thousands, a performance-driven portta infrastructure supports the capacity and speed required to ensure that each partner operates at the same high leveel of effi ciency. Implementing a scalable and secure channel partner portal centralizze the support and maintennanc of applications to provide better channel optimizzatio capabilities. • Single point of contact to more effecttivel communicate with channel partners and develop applications that improve OEM-channel and channel-only processes • Single launch point to reduce systte variation and support costs of performance-driven applications • Common platform and data to increeas operational efficiency and channel visibility • Embed knowledge in processes to streamline learning and performaanc management Latitude Fact Sheet Th e Extended Enterprise Delivered 2 LATITUDE CONSULTING GROUP FACT SHEET Channel Portal CHANNEL PORTAL INITIATIVES LATITUDE SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS • Channel portal to reduce hardware and softwaar costs • Applications that decrease learning curves to perform tasks • Channel partner portal, building a centralized point-of-contact for an organization and its partners • B2B Application Development –performance tracking scorecards and other Business Objects, .NET, and J2EE applications • Hosting and On-Demand Support • Requirements gathering and analysis. Incentive Systems ➣ Implement debit card incentive payment system to replace paper-based check systems ➣ Link incentives to certifi cations achieved by an individual, department, or channel partner ➣ Direct sales effort to common goals Balanced Partner Scorecard ➣ Identifi es the key performance metrics that align with business objectives ➣ Provides a guided analysis to engage problem areas in more detail ➣ Fosters greater cooperation in the extended enterprise Learning and Certifi cation Management ➣ Departmental skills planning tools for channel partners ➣ ‘Set-and-forget’ training planning that automates enrollment in courses that meet a certifi cation or training need ➣ Extended enterprise learning management structure for targeted distribution of learning according to local and strategic needs ➣ Flexible, cascading certifi cation structures that capture interrelated curriculum requirements on an individual and organizational level Performance-Driven Channel Portal Typical portal functionality (data sharing, collaboration, automation, etc.) provides the technical infrastructure needed to align channel partner activities with performance objectives. Channel Portal Applications The portal that supports a knowledge-intensive channel needs the applications that will align channel performance with the extended enterprise’s strategic objectives. Applicatiion must manage the learning and knowledge required to implement channel training and certifi cation programs, which must be designed to help the channel meet strategic objectives. Incentive systems can increase channel program participation, and performaanc tracking applications can measure program effectiveness.