Partner relationship management

Partner relationship management (PRM), used especially in IT and cybersecurity industries,[1] is a system of methodologies, strategies, software, and web-based capabilities which help a vendor to manage channel partner relationships. The most common types of channel partners include resellers, distributors, independent software vendors, or affiliate partners like influencers[2]. The most popular PRM platforms include Impartner[3], PartnerStack, and Allbound.

The general purpose of a PRM is to enable vendors to better manage their partners through the introduction of reliable systems, automated processes, optimization tools, and procedures for interacting with them.[4][1] Web-based PRM systems typically include a Content Management System, a partner and customer contact database, and a partner portal which allows partners to log in and interact with a vendor's sales opportunity database and obtain product, pricing, and training information. This helps vendors to streamline processes, as well as to collect and assess data about various stages of the partner sales funnel. There are a number of solution providers who offer PRM software to companies who rely heavily on a PRM solution to stay relevant in their respective industries.

Vendors who implement a PRM solution are typically motivated by a need to reduce the financial overhead, automate regular processes, and establish new partnerships to drive channel revenue and scale. Partners may also be integrators or managed service providers. Unlike customer relationship management systems, which are tailored toward getting an end customer to purchase from you, a PRM system is focused on getting a partner to sell on your behalf. As a result, they commonly offer web-based self-service tools, information, and resources to partner resellers.