F5 Launches UNITY Program
F5 Networks, as many companies have been doing lately, is joining the bandwagon of providing incentives and rewards for their partners. F5’s calls this the “New UNITY Program Rewards EMEA Partners,” and to be part of it, you’ll have to show you “offer measurable value to join customers” Wondering what that means? Read on to find out…
The whole idea behind this new partner program has been to design and establish a more “open, integrated partnerships” with VARs and distributors. “UNITY” is it’s name, and lo and behold, the program unifies and encompasses F5 partners in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
Okay, so you’re a VAR that falls into the above category. What’s in it for you?
F5 is claiming improved margin support, that makes it easy to do business and creates added value. F5 is also touting balanced treatment within the partner community and better support of partners that share F5’s goals, including supporting partnerships through increased levels of marketing and channel support.
“UNITY is a waypoint in F5’s global strategy of investing to further increase our partners’ effectiveness…Aligned with our North American Lightning program, UNITY will help our value-added channel in EMEA to augment profit levels and build deep-seated application delivery expertise.” -Dean Darwin, VP of Worldwide Channel Sales at F5.
F5 generously fluffed their press release with a swath of “supporitng quotes” but the general idea is to “articulate” channel opportunities, and provide a balanced field that’s an equal amount of give-and-take for return on investment and successful channel program. It’s more of the same you’ve been hearing from everyone; new tools, new incentives, new business growth, smart strategy.
It’s nice that F5 is expanding their programs. We encourage any partners to chime in on any improvements.
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