Seagate (NASDAQ: STX) is adding a new strategic partner category to its partner program that will support cloud builders that design, integrate and deploy custom servers and storage systems in cloud data centers.

The Seagate Cloud Builder Alliance is a new program within the company’s Partner Program that will provide systems integrators with technical information, customer insights, market knowledge and tools for expanding business in selling cloud storage technology to customers. Many of the usual incentives and resources of partner programs are being made available to those who qualify for the Cloud Builder Alliance, including business and technology planning, sales and marketing resources, lead generation, training and certification, and system reference design development from Seagate Design Centers around the world.

Seagate has been building out its cloud strategy for some time now, with cloud storage services and infrastructure to help cloud storage service providers or cloud builders develop their own businesses. The company already has a few partners signed up for the new Cloud Builder Alliance, including Ciara Technologies, Intequus, NuCloud Global, Supermicro, Xyratex and ZT Systems.

According to the company, the huge shift of applications workloads from traditional IT to the cloud is changing the market and pushing systems integrators to adapt by building customized, cloud-based platforms that are both smarter and more flexible. It’s something customers are expecting, but by doing so, systems integrators can also differentiate themselves.

Seagate’s recommendation to systems integrators is to develop customized and optimized platforms, and then back them with new sales and marketing strategies. Presumably, the new Cloud Builder Alliance program will help systems integrators figure out the nuances of selling cloud-based storage services in this era of IT.

Through the new program, Seagate’s channel partners will have access to various storage products, including the Pulsar family of high-performance SSDs, high-performance 2.5-inch Savvio 10K and 15K HDDs, and the energy-efficient Constellation HDD family.