Management of intermediated channels for high technology firms : achieving success in a dynamic and rapidly changing marketplace

Abstract

One of the most challenging problems for high technology firms in an increasingly global marketplace is the effective utilization of intermediated sales channels. As product development cycles shorten, there can be a scenario where the rate of product and solutions development and introduction to the market out-pace the manufacturer's ability to sell, service, and support the new products and solutions. There are many challenges to be overcome in providing a third party organization with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to successfully propose, implement, operate and support high technology products and solutions designed, manufactured and marketed by another company. As firms both large and small look to indirect channels to expand their coverage in existing markets and or to penetrate new markets, significant investments in channel support infrastructure and best-in-class channel management techniques are increasingly a necessity to achieve success in a global channel network.

(cont.) The objective of this thesis will be to closely examine the enterprise data communications equipment market segment to develop an understanding of how successful firms effectively utilized intermediated channels to attain remarkable market share at the expense of competitors who were not able to do so. From this understanding generalizations will be drawn that will provide a number of management practices that guide other high technology firms in design and implementation of their intermediated channel programs.