Geek Squad® Launches Partner Program to Expand Technology Support for Small Businesses

Geek Squad® Launches Partner Program to Expand Technology Support for Small Businesses

Geek Squad Partner Website to Provide Program Insights, Partner Registration RICHFIELD, MINN., March 27, 2012 - Geek Squad,® Best Buy's 24-hour tech support task force, announced today that it will now offer services and technology support to small businesses (SMBs). Through the Geek Squad Partner Program, Geek Squad will work with third-party sellers to provide services for their own customers, including Geek Squad Office Support which features Geek Squad Agents available for unlimited 24/7 support via phone, online chat, remote, and, with an option to include on-site support. Geek Squad has developed a SMB program that is easy to do business with and provides partners with the tools to make them successful. The Partner Program targets partners who focus on SMBs, to sell the PC, mobile, networking and infrastructure support services.  Target partners include carrier-like master agents, IP telephony resellers and wiring and cabling resellers. And the Partner Program site, http://partnerprogram.geeksquad.com offers tutorials, trainings, sales environment videos and as well as registration. "Geek Squad was founded 17 years ago as a small business technology service and support task force," said George Sherman, senior vice president, services, Best Buy. "Today, our strategic priorities to grow our services business have set the stage to leverage its heritage as a small business resource.  With our service offerings, the expertise of our Geek Squad Agents nationwide, and our solid brand reputation, we believe Geek Squad is uniquely equipped to partner with the resellers community to meet the needs of small business customers today." The Geek Squad Partners Program service plans are designed to help customers with diagnostics and repair, client and server administration, and network integration, including network, firewall, VPN, and server support as well as data backup and transfers. Geek Squad Office Support currently offers two plans: the Standard Plan with unlimited 24/7/365 phone and online support for $24.99 per month per seat, and the Advanced plan with unlimited 24/7/365 phone and online support plus on-site agent support for $49.99 per month. Earlier this year, Best Buy expanded its services capabilities for the estimated $40 billion SMB market when it acquired mindSHIFT Technologies, which provides managed IT, cloud, data center and other professional services across the United States, About Geek Squad Since its expansion nationally in 2004, Geek Squad has grown to nearly 20,000 technicians who support install and repair for consumers and small businesses alike, including computing, home theater, auto electronics, mobile devices and appliances. Geek Squad technicians are available at Precincts in all Best Buy U.S. stores, through house calls and and via online chat, remote support or over-the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. About Best Buy Co., Inc. Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services. Every day our employees - 180,000 strong - are committed to helping deliver the technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. We are keenly aware of our role and impact on the world, and we are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities. For additional information about Best Buy, visit http://www.investors.bestbuy.com/.