Pastel International Channel Swings into Top Gear

Intensive training, open communication, the provision of value-added offerings that drive new business opportunities and a channel structured on a true business partnership basis are behind the high growth achieved by the international division of accounting and payroll software specialist, Sage Pastel.

Pastel now has 61 distributors – reflecting 45% growth on the base of 42 distributors that made up the distribution network last year. A total of 68 delegates from this fast-growing international channel recently attended the second Pastel International annual conference in Sandton and Sun City.

“The value of the conference to our international business cannot be overestimated,” said Sage Pastel International director Jeff Lewis. “It gives our channel partners a clear picture of where we are going with our product lines, where we are headed in the marketplace and what opportunities are being created for them to add value and grow their own businesses.

“In turn, we get valuable feedback on our products and applications as well as business intelligence that is helping us to establish the Pastel brand as a leader in many emerging markets and as a highly competitive and major contender against long-established products in First World countries.”

Lewis added that net revenue growth for Pastel International in the 2003 financial years is currently 30% overall, with even higher growth percentages being achieved in some countries in the eastern and southern African regions.