IT solutions vendor BMC Software released two new programs today for channel partners designed to make it easier to get customers rolling with cloud computing platforms.

BMC ZipKit and BMC Express Cloud were designed as out-of-the-box cloud platforms that rapidly scale a customer’s existing data center capability, the company said.

With regards to the channel, BMC Product Management Senior Director Thom Bailey said via email that both programs aim to "enable a channel partner to sell into the growing market of customers looking to get started with cloud computing in a test project and on a fixed budget."

"With both programs, BMC is helping to accelerate service offerings and packaged 'clouds in a box' for our partners to drive their own bottom line revenue and sales," he said.

He added that channel partners of all sizes and areas of focus can benefit from the overall time to value represented by these programs.

The BMC ZipKit program includes a library of pre-built application components for the BMC Cloud Lifecycle Management and BMC Bladelogic Server Automation management systems.

BMC Express Cloud is a bundled solution that combines software, consulting services, and training to deliver customers an hybrid cloud, connecting a private cloud to Amazon (AMZN) Web Services (AWS) and VMware (VMW) private clouds.

"As a starter cloud project, these represent the two most commonly requested and utilized cloud resources and platforms," Bailey said. "However, as customers explore other cloud platforms based on price or ease of use, Cloud Lifecycle Management can expand with their needs."

Other supported public clouds include Saavis and Terremark, he said, but other public clouds can also be supported with the aid of BMC Professional Services.