December’s Channel Program Changes

The channel wrapped up 2015 with a flurry of new and revamped partner programs, as well as new partnerships you should know that could improve your business.

Primarily covering security, infrastructure and cloud, there are a number of companies here you might not know, but should.

By no means is this list comprehensive, but it offers a one-stop shop for insight into partner-program changes at IT and telecom companies doing business in the channel.

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Jive Software improved its certified technology partnership program to create a framework for newly certified partners building on its platform. Ryan Rutan, Jive’s director of developer evangelism and partner innovation, told Channel Partners the primary driver for the revamp was the need for “alignment on both sides of the partnership.” Jive provides communication and collaboration services for businesses.

Click here for the full story on Jive Software’s tech partnership program revamp.

Menlo Security said its new technology partner program aims to help customers easily integrate its isolation platform with their existing infrastructure. The first group of pre-integrated partners includes Okta, Centrify, Ping Identity and OneLogin. With these validated integrations, customers can accelerate rolling out the platform, and streamline user administration across multiple device types, according to the company. This is Menlo Security’s first technology partner program.

Read more about Menlo Security’s new program here.

The SaaS provider is in talks with potential partners. Zilliant sells to B2B companies in industrial manufacturing, distribution and services verticals. Steve Hale, the company’s vice president of worldwide channel sales, said Zilliant is looking for an elite selection of systems-integrator consulting partners.

Here is where to learn more about Zilliant’s new channel program.

Joining Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider Program gives the company access to products from Microsoft such as Office 365, Hosted Exchange, Skype for Business and Windows Intune. Evolve IP said it would “directly provision, manage and support the products and services.” Evolve IP provides cloud services in various industries, including technology, banking and health care.

Read more about what his means for the company’s partners here.

IP carrier Flowroute formally launched its new Reseller Partner Program and already has enrolled 50 partners in North America. The program is open for applications from IT providers and MSPs. Applications are encouraged from companies with a “strong software as a service (SaaS) orientation and a business model built around providing value-added services and solutions.”

Click here to read all about Flowroute’s Reseller Partner Program.

Accel Networks’ new channel leaders want to “create a program that is agent friendly and creates a buzz that there is another diverse connectivity option in the market for partners to sell and earn a residual commission.” Channel veterans Chris Whitaker and Greg Franzen are new directors of channel sales at Accel, charged with getting the program up and running. Accel Networks, a Sierra Wireless company, provides primary and backup connectivity services.

See how Whitaker and Franzen are doing here.

Interactive Intelligence’s shift from on-premises to cloud, and the launch of its PureCloud platform, have prompted the need for an improved partner program. The company’s enhanced Global Partner Program includes new systems integrator (SI) and telco/carrier programs, and updates that give partners new revenue opportunities – particularly within the cloud market. Interactive Intelligence’s partner ecosystem encompasses about 400 companies globally.

Click here to learn more about how the evolution of cloud services led to this change.

Customers of the young Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) can access cloud services through NTT Communications thanks to a new partnership. An agreement with NTT America allows HPE customers to access NTT Communications’ IaaS portfolio, which includes private, public and hybrid cloud. HPE focuses on enterprise solutions, while HP Inc. focuses on PCs and printers. HP split into two businesses last fall.

Read more about this partnership here.