The Utility Certified Vendor Program

The Utility Company’s model of being the single-source provider for technology, communications and business management solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) requires that we have a program to certify that we support various technologies. The Utility Certified Vendor Program provides a process for acquiring the requisite knowledge for Utility to proactively maintain and support, including general usability, technologies ranging from commonly used products (i.e. the Microsoft Office suite of products) to vertical line of business applications.

Utility Certified means we have reviewed and tested the product (software package/application) and have determined we have the subject matter expertise for the ongoing maintenance, support and usability.

The program requires Utility to have access to Level 2 support directly from the third-party vendor. Utility Certified products include:

• Common technologies with mass penetration in the SMB market (i.e. QuickBooks®).
• Converging technologies, like voice-over-IP, wireless and multi-function printers, that are now “connected” to the network.
• Vertical line of business (LOB) applications for industries ranging from insurance to professional services to healthcare.

Vertical Markets
For most SMBs any investment made in technology is primarily for the purpose of operating your line of business application along with accessing, collaborating and communicating data. As simple as it sounds, doing this effectively over the years has been challenging for many businesses, particularly those that leverage a vertical business application.

The critical issue for the majority of SMBs is the myriad of suppliers they are forced to interact with in order to manage the five major technologies: network/desktop, internet, copier/printer, telecom and the most important one, your line of business application. Having a single point of contact to manage all your technology, including vertical business software, is the ideal solution. Utility Certified gets you there!

Utility Certified Process
The following steps must be completed to certify a product:

1. Identify product as candidate for Utility Certified Vendor Program.
2. If vertical LOB application, complete Connected Office Vertical Assessment form. (Click HERE to view form)
3. Complete a Utility Certified Service Run Book.
4. Product assessment to determine remote support and/or virtualization capability.
5. Determine any specialized training for Utility helpdesk personnel.
6. Determine requirement (if any) for onsite implementation partner.
7. Determine if physical product required in Utility lab.
8. Upon certification, in certain cases, a detailed go-to-market plan will be developed with the Certified Vendor, including:

• Development of joint marketing collateral; Press/public relations
• Sales/product training for Utility partners/franchisees.
• Powered By Utility partnership if Utility becomes first-line support for Certified Vendor.
  

> Click to view currently supported Line of Business applications