1. Why has BiTMICRO^® unveiled a new partner program?

At its most fundamental level, a partner program should be built around the way customers buy - and over the past years, we have realized that more than 80% of our revenue is generated through partner sales.

We created the BiTMICRO^® FlashCircle™ Partner Program to recognize the important role that partners play in our business. Several partner classifications and levels make it possible for us to work more effectively with all partners depending on their business model. At the same time, customers benefit from a structure that aligns with the way they are approaching mission-critical solutions. We feel this new program will help to drive BiTMICRO's continued success in the marketplace.

2. How does the new program better support partners?

Partners enter into the program in different levels and classification, depending on their expertise and business model. Benefits and incentives, which increase through various levels, take into consideration the different ways companies sell, and the contributions that each kind of company may make during the course of a sale. Partners will now be rewarded and recognized for the contribution they make to BiTMICRO^®. This program will enable the partner to work and feel that they are a part of the BiTMICRO^® organization. In fact, the program makes it easier for partners to work productively.

FlashCircle™ is designed to encourage business growth. Partners can move to a higher level by increasing sales and services and gaining additional certification. In addition, we've put controls in place that benefit our partners. For example, any company who wants to resell BiTMICRO^® products and services must be registered in the program. This reduces confusion in the marketplace and eliminates price degradation.

FlashCircle™ also features a new certification program, which helps to establish credibility with end users and paves the way for customer satisfaction. It raises the standard for all FlashCircle™ members. When partners are better trained - both from a sales and a technical standpoint - they are better able to meet customers' needs. And finally, we've ensured that the program facilitates more collaboration with BiTMICRO.

3. How did BiTMICRO^® develop the structure for FlashCircle™ ?

We studied the partner programs of IT vendors known for their success in partnering, looking at best practices and how different approaches might work best for BiTMICRO's partners and customers. Many of the elements of the program, such as the different partner levels, incentives will be very familiar to companies who have partnered with other large IT organizations.

We talked with our current partners to learn more about different business models and find out how we could better serve them, including an extensive research on industry analysts' reviews and their insights.

The result is a program that we feel will make us work more effectively and sensitive to partner needs.

4. How does BiTMICRO^® lend itself well to partnering in the future?

While BiTMICRO^® will scale its business and tap into emerging markets by strengthening its leadership, partners will be able to work more effectively and independently with the introduction of our new Partner Program. FlashCircle™ is built on a solid foundation that not only helps companies' partner with BiTMICRO^®, but also helps them to work with their customers more effectively. We made sure to offer a clear path for partners that desire to evolve their business over time. We can't anticipate all market changes, but we built FlashCircle™ to be sustainable and to scale with BiTMICRO's business and that of our partners.

5. What are some of the big opportunities in the storage space right now - and how is BiTMICRO^® helping partners make the most of them?

BiTMICRO^® occupies an important space in the storage business. We continue to build our solid state storage products on an architecture far more advanced than competition. Security, Reliability, and Performance have become mission-critical to today's organizations: Every industry segment - retailing, transportation and logistics, government, healthcare, warehousing, manufacturing - is turning to solutions that possess the above attribute to help increase productivity and efficiency. With FlashCircle™ , our partners are in the right place at the right time with the right knowledge, presence and technology to help them grow their business. FlashCircle™ not only meets partners' needs more effectively, but also provides the marketing and sales support needed to further penetrate these emerging markets.

6. Is this program applicable to any part of the world?

BiTMICRO^® FlashCircle™ will be implemented worldwide. The core program structure and elements are consistent with these geographies, although some program offerings may differ slightly in smaller geographic regions.

7. How do companies become part of FlashCircle™ ?

A company that wishes to join FlashCircle™ must submit an application using the BiTMICRO Partner Application Registration Form. The application collects basic information about the company and its business model. BiTMICRO's channel team reviews the form and determines whether the company best fits into the OEM/SI or Reseller Level.

8. How does BiTMICRO^® determine which level my company falls into?

A company is assigned to a level based on its business model and whether it sells hardware, software and/or services. BiTMICRO^® will also assess how the partner intends to resell the BiTMICRO^® products.

9. Can my company apply for membership in a certain level?

Since the level a partner eventually falls under will bedetermined by its current business model, a company cannot apply for one classification or another. BiTMICRO's assessment will be based on the company's business model as described in the application form. BiTMICRO^® may request additional documentation to verify information provided in the application form.

10. Does it cost anything to apply to FlashCircle™ ?

There is no fee for applying to FlashCircle™ .

If you have other questions about becoming a BiTMICRO^® partner, call us at +1.510.743 3194 or email us at flashcircle@bitmicro.com

11. I am an existing BiTMICRO^® Reseller, do I still need to register in the program?

The BiTMICRO^® FlashCircle™ Program is designed to enhance the benefits of working with BiTMICRO^® for all types of partners, both current and new. As of September 1, 2003, FlashCircle™ has replaced BiTMICRO's existing partner program.

Because BiTMICRO^® FlashCircle™ is a significant change in the way BiTMICRO^® used to work with partners in the past, all existing partners must register into the new program to continue their relationship with BiTMICRO^®. If you wish to apply to the program now, please contact your BiTMICRO Sales Representative and he will be very happy to facilitate it for you.

Partners accepted into the program will be supplied with a new username and password to access an enhanced version of BiTMICRO's online partner extranet, now called BiTMICRO^® Partner Source.

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