Pluribus Networks Launches Expanded, Simplified Partner Program

Pluribus Networks has expanded and simplified its global partner program. It’s a move the company says provides easier access to the rapidly expanding disaggregated switching market.

Pluribus Partners First will help distributors, VARs, SIs and service providers to provide customer value in open networking and hybrid multicloud. The vendor provides open networking and next-generation software-defined networking (SDN).

Mike Capuano is Pluribus Networks’ chief marketing officer.

Pluribus Networks’ Mike Capuano

“Our goal with the new program is to increase the amount of sales through partners by making it as easy as possible to do business with Pluribus, empowering our partners with knowledge and products/solutions that solve their customer problems and helping our partners to generate revenue and margin,” he said.

What’s New

Program enhancements:

• The shift from four tiers to two tiers (gold and silver) to simplify engagement.
• A revamped partner portal for deal registration and enablement.
• A new deep dive technical training and certification track.
• Increased cadence of quarterly business reviews and strategic planning with gold partners.

Pluribus Networks has seen continued success, Capuano said. That includes more than 350 customers and an expectation of more than double market growth. As a result, partners are showing more interest.

“This, combined with a survey of our existing partners, signaled that it was time for a push to take more of our sales through partners,” he said. “Pluribus has always been the best SDN-automated disaggregated networking solution, but with the recent acquisitions of Cumulus Networks and Big Switch this past year, and disruption in their partner ecosystem, many of their former partners are coming our way.”

The company also offers partners a number of other avenues to generate revenue. Those include network packet broker, layer 1 lab automation and metro Ethernet cloud services.

Pluribus can be deployed on bare-metal switches from Dell Technologies, Edgecore, Celestica and Champion One. In addition, Pluribus offers its own line of Freedom 9000 Series switches for partners who prefer turnkey solutions.

Competitive Edge

“The Pluribus Partners First program provides a competitive edge via multiple channels,” Capuano said. “Knowledge through training, joint marketing and access to the top-notch Pluribus pre-and post-sales teams are the main benefits of the program. Of course, partners who register deals first get extra discounts to help them win deals and increase margin.”

Colin Lynch is CEO of EPS Global.

“EPS is excited to see this program upgrade and continue our journey providing high value, yet cost-effective disaggregated solutions in partnership with Pluribus,” he said.