January’s Channel Program Changes

2016 got off to a hot start with a lot of channel-program news of note in January.

Whether a new partner program, enhancements to an existing one, or partnerships that provide solution providers with more options, knowledge of these changes could improve your business. Familiar names such as Level 3, X4 Solutions, Juniper Networks and more are all represented here.

From cloud to security to analytics and more, this one-stop slide show features big names in the channel and other companies you should know.

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Telarus said it reached “elite” status in Level 3 Communications’ channel partner program. Elite partner status is awarded to a select group of channel partners that achieve specific sales and revenue performance targets. Also, Telarus partners can now sell Rackspace managed cloud services and Bright House Networks products, thanks to new agreements.

This is where to read more about Telarus’ relationship with Level 3.

WOW! Business’ deal with X4 Solutions gives the master agent’s partner network more Internet, voice, data and cloud services to sell – expanding their reach to more of the country. WOW!, a communications and cloud service provider, serves SMBs, enterprise, government and wholesale customers. It owns and operates more than 40,000 miles of local fiber-optic and coaxial networks in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest.

Want more info on the partnership between WOW! and X4? It’s here.

Datto’s new forum is aimed at keeping the “sharing and momentum” going beyond its annual DattoCon partner event. The backup and BC/DR provider’s partner engagement previously was handled primarily through one-on-one emails, channel events or at DattoCon. The forum brings an “otherwise dispersed community of MSPs together to regularly discuss technical questions, best practices, sales and marketing techniques.”

Click here to learn more about Datto’s Community Forum.

Five9’s channel-program changes include new strategic partnerships with several master agents, systems integrators and resellers. In addition to continuing its referral partner program, the expanded program now offers partners the ability to be a reseller or full OEM partner. Also, Five9 appointed 25-year contact center veteran Wendell Black as vice president of channel sales.

Learn more about Five9’s new channel direction and chief here.

The updated partner program from Juniper Networks includes a new data-center specialization and a design track focused on network architecture and design skills. Juniper revamped its Partner Advantage program last year to focus “100 percent on accelerating partner growth.” Matthew Hurley, Juniper’s corporate vice president of global partner and field marketing, told Channel Partners the “efforts paid off with greater partner satisfaction and financial success.”

Click here to learn more about the updates to Juniper’s partner program.

SimpliVity has a new Cloud Service Provider Program, which will allow partners to sell on-demand cloud services like IaaS and DRaaS. SimpliVity touts its consumption-based pricing model as a key element of the program. The company also announced a Technology Alliance Program, which includes industry giants Oracle, Cisco and Red Hat. It’s designed to help technology providers and system integrators incorporate the company’s hyperconverged infrastructure.

Get the full scoop on SimpliVity’s Cloud Service Provider Program here.

Dell Software joined distributor Ingram Micro‘s Federal Advantage Program and added its products to Promark Technology’s (an Ingram Company) General Services Administration schedule. In support of its Dell business, Ingram Micro has a team of more than 30 sales, marketing and engineering specialists dedicated to the industry giant’s hardware and software lines. Ingram Micro is a Dell Global Business Partner.

Click here to read more about Ingram’s federal program.

PostSharp’s new global program allows VARs, resellers, IT consultancies, systems integrators and ISPs to resell and use its products. PostSharp is sitting on nearly 2,000 qualified leads each month and hopes to attract a lot more partners to close all of this business.

Learn more about how you can get involved with PostSharp’s channel program by clicking here.

Hadoop developer Hortonworks said its global partner program will help its network of 15,000 partners get to another level. Company executives said the Partnerworks program, which includes tiers for independent hardware and software vendors (ISVs/IHVs), consultants and resellers, will upgrade value proposition and benefits for members of the previous channel program.

Get the full story here.

Citrix is shifting its focus in a move that will impact partners. The company is zeroing in on the midmarket, a segment it says is currently underserved and, combined with corporate, represents a $6 billion potential for growth. Kimberly Martin, vice president of partner strategy and sales, worldwide sales and services, gave that forecast at Citrix Summit 2016 in Las Vegas.

Read Channel Partners’ coverage of the Citrix Summit here.