D-Link Corporation has announced it is extending its sales and technical training programme to further drive skills and training in its latest networking technologies.

According to the vendor that manufactures solutions in the IP Surveillance, Wireless, Switching, Storage, Security, Cloud, VoIP, Print Servers, Structured Cabling, Digital Home, 3G/4G Routers, Power over Ethernet Kit, Powerline, KVM, Structured Cabling and Digital home offerings, the company has decided to enhance its training schemes in pre-sales and technical certifications to empower solution providers so that they able to implement holistic solutions for customers of all sizes in the market.

As companies look to implement digital transformation strategies and leverage technology trends like the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and mobility, channel partners struggle to find staff with the required skills to implement these technologies safely and securely.

Lack of skills and resources was cited by 53% of organisations as one of the biggest barriers to implementing digital transformation projects, according to research by International Data Corporation (IDC).

Sakkeer Hussain, Director – Sales and Marketing, D-Link Middle East and Africa (MEA), said D-Link is continually expanding and refining the channel partner training programme, with the company introducing new courses as the product portfolio grows.

Hussain said reseller partners who successfully complete the courses are not only certified, but also incentivised through rebates and other resources that help them to grow their business.

According to D-Link, its most recent additions to the portfolio include the Home Connect series, which uses 802.11ah, Z-Wave and Zigbee-based technologies helping consumers to implement a complete smart home solution.

The Home Connect category includes simple-to-use, application-enabled cloud products like power management devices, home sensors, cameras, smoke/water detectors, door/window alarms aimed at enhancing and enriching human life experiences.

Hussain said D-Link offers two types of training offered through its training facility in Dubai. “The first one is pre-sales training and it is for pre-sales engineers and sales people working for reseller firms,” he said. “This training takes them through new products, product updates, latest technologies and the various applications where these technologies and solutions can be implemented.”

He added that the other kind of training is technical and it’s a five-day course that takes candidates through detailed practical issues including product installation and is conducted by highly qualified and certified D-Link engineers. “The programme takes them through live demonstrations that replicate real life customer environments,” he said.

He explained that extending partner training is also aimed at helping channel partners with limited resources to be in a position to carry out proof of concepts (PoC).