Dell Launches Cloud Services and Solutions Certification

Dell is gearing its partners for the cloud services world with a new certification uniquely designed for the cloud. But it doesn’t mean VARs have to go all-Dell when they go to the cloud. Dell is encouraging partners to mix and match where they see fit. Here’s The VAR Guy’s lowdown on the cloud-high plan …

Dell’s modus operandi for the Cloud Services and Solutions Certification is explained thusly:

“[Dell’s new program] will enable [partners] to provide cloud services & solutions to customers based on both Dell technology and their own technology services. Today, many organizations are living with complex, overgrown computing platforms that are underutilized, take up valuable data center floor space, consume large amounts of power and cooling resources, and are not easy to manage.

What’s more, this unique specialization is built upon three key “pillars” VARs can specialize in. They are:

• Cloud Service Enabler: Partners specializing in this pillar will act as a conduit to all things cloud, helping a company bring on “the appropriate set of cloud technologies and services,” no matter what vendor or cloud they come from. These Dell partners will uniquely act as a trusted adviser, while also managing the cloud infrastructure on behalf of their customer. MSPs may be attracted to this specialization, but our resident blogger would point them to …
• Cloud Provider: VARs already operating a network operations center are in luck. This Dell specialization requires partners to provide cloud services that include Infrastructure, software and platform — as service technologies. The caveat is the operation center must be “enabled with Dell technology” to provide such services. Dell doesn’t explain, but The VAR Guy believes that could be anything from servers to software, or a mix of both.
• Cloud Builder: The most basic of the specializations, like the name implies these VARs will provide the scaffolding for customers to build upon. These VARs will act as guides in the world of the cloud, ensuring a neat and tidy transition during the buildout.

Partner program bonuses include sneak-peek access to future Dell cloud technology, co-marketing and selling opportunities, plus partner tools to enable partner-to-partner connections. If you’re not quite sure whether you qualify for these new certifications, check out Dell’s portal to find out. Meanwhile, keep your eye on Dell: Our resident blogger believes the company is set to make some big moves, especially following its SonicWall acquisition and Windows 8 promises.