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ChannelMentor develops open source solution for channel managers

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DQW Bureau
New Update



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Providing an alternative to steeply priced channel management solutions from
enterprise software companies, Bangalore based ChannelMentor has developed a new
solution based on open source for SMBs.

Called ChannelGrid, the solution can be linked to packages like Tally and
also SAP. Elaborating on the product, ChannelMentor CEO Subir K Pal said,
"We have tried to address the major pain points that channel managers face
such as errors in paper orders, time lost in agreement renewals and delayed
orders. In addition to this, the solution also provides MIS on business through
channel partners. This solution could be ideal for SMEs across various segments
that need to put in systems in place to keep up with their business plans".

Pal claims that ChannleGrid, a real-time application, costs one-fifth the
price of conven-tional enterprise solutions. "The major reason how we are
able to slash down costs is because we don't use prop-rietary technology. The
only cost that the customer would incur is the cost of deployment and there are
no recurring costs. We use the Jboss application server and the J2EE server
Tomcat," he said. He believes that there is no other similar open source
product in the market place.

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Apart from its flagship product ChannelGrid, the company has also developed a
vendor evaluation system. The company is currently expand-ing its engineering
and marketing base in the country. While the company plans to directly market to
customers in the South, Pal said that it would appoint franchisees in the
Western region, Bhubaneswar, Delhi and Chandigarh. He hopes to turn in revenues
of Rs 25 crore in a couple of years.

About the company's USP, Pal said that his own experience as channel
manager in ABB India had given him an insider perspective of the issues faced by
companies thereby provid-ing domain expertise in the area.

Priya Padmanabhan

Bangalore (CyberMedia News)

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