EXTREME IGNITE — Cloud networking provider Extreme Networks has launched new programs that it says give partners a competitive advantage. Introduced at Extreme‘s Ignite Partner Conference in Boston, the new elements include badges and certifications, expanded training options, grant writing support and customer success programs.

Extreme Networks’ Scott Peterson

Scott Peterson is senior vice president of global channels, Extreme Networks.

“Partners are crucial to our long-term success, which is why we are focused on providing differentiated experiences that help us collectively meet both business and revenue goals,” said Peterson. “These new program enhancements will help our partners deepen their technical knowledge, strengthen their market position and fill skills gaps within their organizations. Our program offers a balance of technical expertise, successful selling motions and value-added services that differentiate the performance of our products in market.”

Badges

To provide partners with a more extensive knowledge, expertise and commitment to key issues, Extreme has developed three new badges. Officials will designate partners who complete the state and local government badge as preferred partners for state and local government customer solution delivery in their region. They will also get access to specialized collateral including webinars and, in applicable cases, access to market development funds.

Partners who earn the sports and entertainment delivery partner badge will be preferred partners for sports and entertainment customer solution delivery in their region and can participate in sponsorship opportunities.

Lastly, Extreme says it focuses on fostering more equitable experiences and workforces across the industry. Partners who earn the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) badge will have the opportunity to align and partner with Extreme on community-based initiatives. They will have support to better identify, quantify and enable DEI efforts within their organizations.

Expanded Training

Partners now have access to new training material. This includes technical training on Extreme Fabric Connect, bonus sales content and a product-focused livestream series. Later this year, Extreme will launch a certified professional program. Offered via a new video portal, the program is an expanded and modular curriculum. It gives partners more choice and depth of technical training, and an improved learning experience. Partners that have an Extreme certified specialist badge will be able to up-level their training through new courses. This will qualify them as Extreme certified professionals, enabling them to use their increased knowledge of Extreme’s technology. For example, they can offer customers more choice in Extreme solutions. This better ensures that customers can maximize ROI, the company said.

Subscriptions, Grant Writing

When it comes to Extreme subscriptions, the company is extending its customer success programs. This will help partners and customers ensure sustainable value through the subscription life cycle. Customer success programs help drive greater adoption, usage and loyalty through hands-on tutorials and insight into best practices. Customers will benefit from accelerated activation and onboarding, documented success plans and quicker implementations. At the same time, partners can improve customer loyalty and better identify new cross-sell and upsell opportunities.

Extreme’s grant writing services will enable partners to help eligible customers take advantage of the millions of dollars of grant funds. These are available each year for funding projects that require networking solutions. Beyond writing services, this team of experts can help customers and partners identify funding opportunities for global projects. They can also create proposal and grant narratives and provide management and assistance throughout the grant award process. This includes successful project implementation plans once grants are awarded.

Promotions

In other conference news, Extreme Networks promoted three product leaders into new executive positions. Cristian Mircea is now chief development officer. Markus Nispel is CTO for EMEA. And Dan DeBacker is senior vice president of products.

Company leaders said their institutional and industry knowledge will have an immediate impact in these new roles.