Abiquo, developer of enterprise cloud management software, has finally launched a formal partner program to help resellers, systems integrators and other channel pros provide a platform to efficiently control data center infrastructure as a self-service cloud. The Abiquo Partner Program (APP) has already signed on nine VARs, distributors, consultants and distributors across the globe, and the company is hoping it’s just the start.

Here’s the skinny on the nine new Abiquo partners, taken straight from the press release:

Leading resellers and distributors include Agilysys, which operates from locations throughout North America and in the United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong; CTC Itochu, based in Tokyo, Japan; GTI, headquartered in Hong Kong with offices in Beijing and Shanghai; BAIP in Vilnius, Lithuania; Tungsten Management Consulting, headquartered in London, UK; and UnGeo in Beijing China.

Consultants and systems integrators include Everis, which operates throughout Europe, North and South America; Devoteam Group, which operates in 23 countries throughout Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; and The Armada Group, based in Silicon Valley, California.

It’s not surprising the list shows so much geographical diversity – Abiquo has been extending itself internationally in 2011, trying to expand the market share of Abiquo Enterprise Edition as much as possible.

In the press release, Abiquo’s new partners highlight the benefits of Abiquo’s offering, including support for six hypervisors, the ability to manage globally distributed physical data centers, and heterogeneous environment support. And several partners are using it to manage their customers’ private clouds on their behalf. Of course, there’s a related Abiquo Reseller Program (ARP) embedded within the partner program for those who merely want to offer it a la carte.

But is the new program enough to set Abiquo apart from the other cloud management platforms that are either entrenched in the marketplace or building momentum?

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