SMC Launches New Reseller Program in U.S. and Canada

Empowering resellers to succeed, Elite Partner Program offers outstanding support, leads, MDF and an exciting new rewards program: Elite Points

SMC Launches New Reseller Program in U.S. and Canada
Empowering resellers to succeed, Elite Partner Program offers outstanding support, leads, MDF and an exciting new rewards program: Elite Points

IRVINE, CA – March 13, 2003 – SMC Networks (www.smc.com), the company that takes the work out of networks with high-performance, easy-to-use connectivity products for business and home, today announced the introduction of its Elite Partner Program for resellers in the United States and Canada. The multi-tiered program qualifies resellers for government and education discounts, priority support, marketing development funds, and even sales leads, and offers incentive prizes through its exciting Elite Points Rewards program.

This exciting new program offers what resellers want: support and real value," said Tom Rizol, SMC Networks Vice President of Sales and Marketing. The education and support opportunities help resellers represent SMCs products well, MDF and leads programs help grow resellers businesses, and the new Elite Points program gives them a fun incentive."

With benefits designed to help grow reseller expertise and loyalty, the SMC Networks Elite Partner Program consists of three tiers: Silver Certified Reseller, Gold Certified Reseller and Platinum Certified Reseller. SMC will evaluate resellers SMC product sales levels on a quarterly basis to determine the tier for which they qualify.

From initial enrollment up to a sales level of $30,000 each quarter, a reseller receives the benefits of Silver Certified Reseller, which are designed to help grow their expertise in SMC products – and grow their sales at the same time.

Silver Certified reseller status brings the following benefits:

•   Toll-free access to a designated SMC sales representative
•   30-day evaluation program
•   Pre- and post-sale 24/7 technical support from SMCs award-winning support group at 1-800-SMC-4YOU
•   Advance replacement of RMAs
•   Ongoing communication via monthly e-blasts that notify of new products, special discounts and other SMC news
•   Beta testing opportunities
•   Online education and Technical Certification Program
•   Accumulation of Elite Points, which are redeemable on-line for merchandise, travel and more
Resellers who achieve quarterly sales of SMC products in excess of $30,000 are rewarded with Gold Certified Reseller status. Gold level members receive all of the benefits of silver membership, plus:
•   Education, state & local government sales opportunities
•   End-user leads
•   24/7 toll-free technical support with priority status on weekdays from 6:30am to 8:00pm Pacific Time
•   Enhanced presence on SMCs Web site
•   On-site sales and technical training
•   2% accrual for Marketing Development Funds

The third level of the new SMC Elite Partner Program, the Platinum Certified Reseller, is reserved for those resellers generating in excess of $50,000 quarterly sales of SMC products. The Platinum level takes the features of the Silver and Gold levels yet another step further, adding:

•   Toll-free technical support with priority status 24 hours a day, seven days a week
•   3% rebate on registered projects of $10,000 or more
•   An increase to 3% accrual for Marketing Development Funds

Were excited to introduce this new program in the U.S. and Canada," added Rizol. SMCs goal is to offer the best sales development support for resellers. When we support our resellers well, we earn their loyalty and, in the end, superior representation of our products. Thats good for us, good for the reseller, and great for the end-user."

About SMC Networks
SMC takes the work out of networks, with high-performance, easy-to-use connectivity products for businesses and homes. Leveraging its more than 30 years market and technology experience with strong attention to end-user and reseller feedback, SMC Networks has set the standards for quality, reliability, ease-of-use, and affordability in network solutions and components. The company continues to bring to market a host of affordable, high-performance products that benefit from the combination of its strong internal R&D resources, global manufacturing resources and strategic relationships with technology innovators. >From basic to leading-edge, SMC Networks portfolio of products provides solutions for small-to-medium sized businesses, corporate workgroups, branch offices, and home and small office environments.

The companys commitment to providing unsurpassed service with a personal touch is backed-up by limited lifetime warranties and 24/7 technical support for all of SMCs products. Headquartered in Irvine, California, U.S.A, SMC Networks supports its worldwide market through regional offices located throughout the United States and 20 other countries. For more information about SMC Networks or its products, visit www.smc.com, or call 800-SMC-4You (800-762-4968).