Security vendor, AVG (AU/NZ), is trialling a new commission system for resellers that allows them to get a 15 per cent commission if a customer upgrades from a trial to a paid version of the software.
The trial version lasts for 30 days before expiring.
Any reseller can join the program by registering their details on AVG (AU/NZ)’s website. They then install a special trial version of the AVG Internet Security 2011 software on a client’s computer with an individual ID tag linked to the reseller. Partners don't need to stop selling rival software or drop out of any other reseller programs.
If the customer upgrades to a paid version of the software during the trial period, the reseller gets 15 per cent of the sale value and is recognised for the deal.
ARN understands the feature has been in development since late 2010 and has been tested with between 10-50 AVG resellers in the region. AVG is also planning to roll out this program globally at an unknown time.
According to AVG (AU/NZ) security evangelist, Lloyd Borrett, resellers throughout the region do not require any prior history or sale with the vendor to join up.
He said the vendor was hoping to greatly increase its reseller base with this venture.
“We already know a lot of non-AVG resellers are installing our free product on machines to give people protection,” Borrett said. “Previously if the customer upgraded to the paid product there would be nothing in it for the reseller that installed it.”
But apart from offering resellers an easy way to make cash from customers that wouldn’t otherwise buy antivirus software, he said this offered resellers a way of legitimately installing the program.
“Resellers are out there installing our free software are actually in breach of our license agreement, which says it’s not to be installed in that manner,” he said. “We’re offering them a chance to get legal and make some money.”
AVG (AU/NZ) claimed in a statement it currently had 3600 resellers, of which about 84 per cent were based in Australia.
