Interview: The Baltic's Largest Data Center Launches Unique Partner Program for IT Companies

Nearly every IT business needs digital infrastructure for themselves or their clients, be it servers, storage, or network devices. No e-service can exist without technology. Today, many companies offer this in the form of cloud services, but few physically, though it's entirely possible.

GDC's partner segment manager, Liis Tammekivi. Photo by Andres Oolberg.

Greenergy Data Centers (GDC) has launched a partner program that allows IT service providers to add IT equipment hosting in the Baltic's largest and most modern data center to their product portfolio. For partners, this means adding a new service with a decent margin, longer business relationships through managing a client's IT infrastructure, and the opportunity to benefit from cooperation with other data center customers.

GDC's partner segment manager, Liis Tammekivi, explains how to grow your business with this support.

Why do IT companies need this partner program?

Looking globally, many businesses prefer large public cloud providers like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud. The more businesses choose this path, the fewer clients there are for other IT companies to offer hardware, software, maintenance, and other similar services. The solution is to offer an alternative in the form of a private cloud in a data center. Meaning, along with hardware sales, device hosting is also offered.

Our partner program offers just that, a solution previously missing for many IT companies.

Does only the IT company benefit, or the end client as well?

Actually, both. For the end client, it means a predictable cost base, clear understanding of reliability and security, and also a green footprint. Owning servers, storage, and network devices isn't optimal for everyone. However, it's often a worthwhile alternative. Depending on the nature of the business, comparing private and public clouds can show a significant difference in total cost. It's crucial for the end client to find the most suitable option.

What else does a partner gain from the program, besides securing their business?

I would look at it from the angle that the partner can offer a more comprehensive range of services, meeting various client needs from hardware and hosting to software and consultancy.

Additionally, there's an opportunity to create and develop new services in cooperation with other companies based in the data center. If a full solution can't be provided directly, it can be assembled with the help of another company. This simplifies life for the end client, as they can get everything they need for their business from one provider and one invoice.

Secondly, IT equipment hosting can be sold with a competitive margin due to the added value.

Thirdly, the partner's administrative burden decreases if their clients are hosted in the same location as their cooperation partners. Furthermore, data center Network Operations Center specialists can be employed to perform tasks as an extension of the partner's capabilities, such as reconnecting devices, restarting, or replacing them.

It's also worth pointing out that hosting a client's device is not just a one-time income but a fixed and growing monthly revenue. From the company's perspective, this means greater stability.

Does the data center share inquiries for services or products that might not fit your business model with partners?

We receive dozens of different inquiries every year. Many of them don't match our business model but do fit our partners'. In such cases, we direct the potential client to companies that have joined our program and can make an offer.

The partner program is called "The Bridge". Why this name?

There's indeed a story behind it. Many IT companies have already built a bridge to their clients through hardware and software sales, maintenance, or consultancy. Our program adds a new layer to this bridge in the form of device hosting, making the bridge stronger and more durable.

If the partner program has sparked someone's interest, what should they do?

The easiest way is to visit our dedicated webpage and get in touch. Together, we'll review our value proposition and discuss how you can grow your business in the Baltic's largest and most modern data center.