The 4D Partners Program is designed to meet the needs of both independent developers and in-house corporate developers. Differentiating independent developers from in-house corporate developers allows 4D, Inc. to identify the common and special needs of these diverse entities. Developers share a common need for technical support, readily accessible product information, and the opportunity to increase their technical skills through interaction with other developers. In addition, independent developers may grow their businesses by taking advantage of our many co-marketing opportunities.
Solutions Partner Program Benefits
Technical support
You want answers to technical questions in real time. The Partners 800 hotline is your real-time resource. Technical support lines are answered from 7AM to 5PM (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday. Each Partners Program membership includes assistance with up to 24 cases or incidents per year. A case/incident is considered a single thread covering a single technical issue. You may accumulate your technical questions and place a single call or e-mail, but each separate question will count or be considered a separate incident.
Partners Central
You will have access to a private area on our Web site. This area includes Partner-related news, monthly technical notes, weekly tech tips, technical resources, marketing material, and much more. We constantly update this site with the latest information.
Partners Email Messages
Partners receive weekly email announcements keeping them up to date with the most current technical and company information.
Partners FTP site
The FTP site contains the most recent 4D product updates and company information. Only Partners can access the site. The FTP site is also prime space for Partners to share information with one another.
Technical notes
A technical note may provide information that is not found in product documentation, such as new ways to handle a technical problem, concepts explained through example databases, and insights into how you may enhance your applications. We provide new technical notes on a monthly basis.
Partners CD
The Partners CD, distributed quarterly, includes development tools, utilities, code examples, sample databases, and technical documentation, such as technical notes.
• The Partners CD contains all the documentation for the 4D product line, release notes, and bug fix lists in both PDF and link formats.
• Each Partner CD contains all 4D technical notes published since 1987.
• Example databases demonstrate various programming tips and illustrate techniques explained in technical notes.
• Each Partners CD contains all Partners newsletters published since 1990 and a table of contents of all previous Partners CDs.
Partners Newsletter
The quarterly Partners newsletter provides product releases, pricing, advertising, and marketing information.
Education - training discounts
Partners enjoy a $100 discount on any 4D University course. Courses for new and experienced developers are held in Silicon Valley and throughout the U.S.
4D Summit Conference discount
Partners get discounted registration fees to the annual 4D Summit Conference a four-day mix of technical, business, and social opportunities that refreshes your 4D knowledge, your contacts, and your spirit.
Software - product discount
4D, Inc. offers product discounts to partners on new product purchases.
Beta program
Partners have access to pre-release beta versions of 4D. Preview future features, plan upgrades for your own applications, and smoothly transition to next-generation products.
Product updates
All major releases, upgrades, and updates are available on both the Partners FTP site and on the Partners CD. The CD lets you skip up to an eight-hour download when you update your clients and yourself to the latest version of 4D.
Marketing support
In addition to technical benefits, Partners get the tools to attract and maintain clients. Partnering with 4D, Inc. grows your business.
Leads referral program
Each Partner can post 25 MB on the 4D, Inc. Web site to tell his/her story to the world. ZIP code, SIC code and functional directories allow potential clients to pinpoint the developer that best matches their skill requirements or really knows their functional area of interest. Compare posting your skills, experiences, and interests on the 4D, Inc. Web site with the visibility you gained from any other marketing or advertising you have ever attempted. Do not forget that the 4D, Inc. site is linked to at least 300 search engines to funnel potential customers to you.
Trade show participation
Partners enjoy discounts on booth space at trade shows where 4D, Inc. participates. Apart from the big shows in New York, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, 4D, Inc. also participates in regional shows throughout the U.S. Partners may display marketing literature in the 4D, Inc. booths at no charge.
Distribution of your marketing collateral
Articles in the Partners newsletter or flyers that accompany it are avenues for Partners to promote their products to other 4D developers. 4D, Inc. and the developer community also produce the 4D Companion Products and Resources catalog, which is included with each copy of 4D and 4D Server. In addition, Partners may use the 4D, Inc. customer database for direct mail campaigns.
Use of 4D logo
Partners highlight their close association with 4D, Inc. and its active development community by using the 4D Solutions Partner logo on their products, marketing collateral, and business cards. Use of the 4D logo links you and your business to the global 4D community of 8,000 registered developers. Logos can be found on each Partner CD.
4D product literature
Marketing collateral such as 4D product data sheets, white papers, and the 4D Companion Products and Resources catalog are available on the Partners FTP site and on the Partners CD. Partners may obtain printed copies of 4D product literature and white papers for use in client presentations.
Success stories
4D, Inc. publishes success stories—business solutions created in 4D by our Partners. Our staff works closely with contributors to highlight creative uses of 4D. Copies of success stories may be downloaded in PDF format from the 4D, Inc. Web site or requested from Partner Services. They are an important part of trade show collateral.
Sales support for presentations
4D, Inc. staffs are available upon request to assist you with questions from potential clients about4D, Inc. or its products. 4D, Inc. officers and staff respond either with you or directly and may be available to accompany you to client meetings or presentations.
Have any questions not answered here?
Call 4D Customer Support toll-free at 1-800-785-3303 and press 3 at the prompt. We will be glad to assist you.
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