After working as a BT Authorised Partner for several years, we’ve noted prospects are often confused about the various ways to buy BT products and services.While it is difficult to offer up detailed insights, we would encourage readers to discuss experiences and thoughts to assist others with making their own engagement decisions. If you’re potentially interested in purchasing BT Business services, you’ll want to understand your options.BT Local Business vs Authorised Partner.
In this article, we’ll discuss the routes available to any organisation looking to procure products from simple lines and broadband through to global data services.
At a high level, there isn't a great deal of difference. On paper that is. As with any business, the way in which to establish which route to follow depends largely on your expectations of service, sales knowledge and general account management.
Clearly, making a judgment on these areas is always going to be difficult without a recommendation or review butI re-wrote the introduction several times knowing your options should, at least, provide some initial food for thought.
Lets start with the BT Local Business option - BTLB
Across the UK, each region is divided into ‘local franchisees’ with responsibility to generate business and support existing BT clients in each given area. In some cases, contacting BT directly may end up routing you through to your local business contact. The expertise and knowledge base of each local business appears to revolve around lines, broadband and leased lines - i.e. small to medium sized opportunities.The local business staff operate using a database of clients within their regions - the goal is therefore to contact and convert as much business as possible while looking after existing clients. I personally have limited experience of BTLB sales staff but have read some interesting thoughts and feedback from clients, they are largely surrounding customer experiences.
I appreciate the last sentence is not particularly insightful so would encourage readers to perform their own research within your particular region. As I alluded to earlier, the decision to route your enquiry to local business might be out of your control depending on product - even if you’re making contact directly with BT in the first instance. The research element applies to any industry, product or service. Armed with this review data, you'll be able to understand your particular local business experience, case studies and so on.
Engage directly with BT
The standard staple products of BT such as Broadband, Lines and Calls are all easily accessible from BT directly. BT operate several divisions across the wider company including complex services such as Global WAN connectivity, short haul private circuits and so forth. These kind of more complex enquiries will require contact with one of their sales specialists. However, for the most part, direct contact will be able to deal with standard sales and requirements.
BT Authorised Partners
In our experience, BT Partners are a well kept secret. This isn't intentional but more about the fact we are are free to engage with other brands and products.
In this sense, we work in partnership with BT under contract enabling us to sell services but our business is free to market any providers products. We personally (at Netify) have a large focus on BT but other partners vary depending on their own route to market and products. Our support includes dedicated BT Sales Specialists and Desk Based account managers together with our own employed resources.
The reasons for engaging with a Partner vs Local Business vs Direct will be based on prior experience or whether or not that partner has specific expertise to assist you with a problem or requirement. Establishing which route requires research.
Outside of these main options, readers should also note; BT operate dedicated divisions including BT Global Services, BT IT Services, BT Authorised Resellers and their various wholesale partners. However, these other areas of BT are well know to the prospective IT teams within organisations with a requirement to use these services.
We are interested to understand readers thoughts and experiences on this subject. To learn more about us, use the contact page.
Further links: