2024 Partner Program Guide: 5-Star System And Data Center Vendor Programs
As part of the annual Partner Program Guide, CRN designates some vendor channel programs as 5-Star Programs. Here are the 5-Star Programs among system and data center vendors for 2024.
All Systems Go
Despite the significant shift to cloud computing in recent years, the corporate data center remains the heart of the IT operations at many businesses, organizations and government agencies. Within those data centers are servers and other hardware powered by microprocessors, system software, uninterruptable power supplies, and other products from leading IT vendors that continue to be a big part of channel sales.
The CRN 2024 Partner Program Guide offers the information solution providers need to evaluate the channel programs operated by the IT vendors they work with or are considering partnering with. The guide is based on detailed applications submitted by vendors – more than 280 this year – outlining all aspects of their partner programs.
As part of the Partner Program Guide, CRN designates some programs as 5-Star Partner Programs because they provide the most comprehensive lineups of incentives, resources, training, services and benefits.
Here we provide snapshots of the 5-Star designees in the systems and data center space. Details of every vendor’s partner program can be found at CRN.com.
Slide shows in the 5-Star Partner Program Guide series running this week include companies that provide products and services in cloud platforms and infrastructure, devices and peripherals, data storage and backup, networking and unified communications, security, software, and systems and data center, in addition to 5-Star partner programs operated by distributors and emerging vendors.
While many companies provide products and services that span multiple technologies, we’ve assigned each vendor to the slide show for the technology category in which they are most prominent.
AMD
Program Name: AMD Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2022
Channel Chief: Mark Taylor, North America Channel Chief
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: The most significant addition to our AMD Partner Program is the launch of our new Partner Relationship Management (PRM) tool that allows channel partners real-time access to training materials as well as their MDF positions and claim status.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=10
CyberPower
Program Name: Channel Partner Alliance
Year Program Established: 2016
Channel Chief: Scott W. Koller, VP, Channel Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: The biggest change we made to our partner program this year is the revamp of the CyberPower Channel Partner Alliance Partner Portal. We improved the navigation and interface, implemented a new platform to allow for a mobile web experience, and implemented single-sign-on to our rewards platform.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=68
Dell Technologies
Program Name: Dell Technologies Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2017
Channel Chief: Denise Millard, Chief Partner Officer
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: 2023 changes focused on simplification and partner profitability including: Dell APEX harmonization, simplified tiering based on one incentive structure and one set of requirements, global tier path go-live, and a Recovery Services rebate aligned to ESG priorities. Dell's enhancements supported predictable engagement, increased automation and greater visibility of partner benefits.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=79
Eaton
Program Name: Eaton Power Advantage Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2009
Channel Chief: Herve Tardy, VP, Marketing & Strategy, Critical Power and Digital Infrastructure
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: With Eaton's complete offering, including the TrippLite series, we look to offer our partners promotions and tools to help them penetrate new accounts and increase their sales with their existing accounts.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=87
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Program Name: HPE Partner Ready
Year Program Established: 2002
Channel Chief: Simon Ewington, VP, Worldwide Channel and Partner Ecosystem
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: We now have complementary programs. HPE Partner Ready recognizes and rewards partners in traditional product and services business. HPE Partner Ready Vantage focuses on the as-a-service business. Compensation for HPE GreenLake Flex solutions shifted from HPE Partner Ready: Services Partners to the HPE Partner Ready Vantage As-a-Service Center of Expertise.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=113
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Program Name: HPE Partner Ready Vantage
Year Program Established: 2022
Channel Chief: Simon Ewington, VP, Worldwide Channel and Partner Ecosystem
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: HPE Partner Ready Vantage fully launched in 2023 enabling partners to identify new opportunities, fortify customer relationships, expand market reach, and accelerate services growth. Partners can broaden their capabilities to deliver HPE as-a-service solutions, develop or enhance their services expertise across their businesses, and position themselves as market leaders.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=112
IBM
Program Name: IBM Partner Plus
Year Program Established: 2023
Channel Chief: Kate Woolley, General Manager, IBM Ecosystem
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: In January 2023 we introduced Partner Plus to fuel growth for new and existing partners. We continue to expand paths for partners to deliver client value and achieve success. Our new Service Track will help accelerate co-creation, build advocacy for IBM Technology, and offer courses to deepen technical skills.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=120
Intel
Program Name: Intel Partner Alliance
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Trevor Vickers, Vice President and General Manager of Global Partners & Global Support
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Simplified tier criteria, introducing more choice and flexibility. New University and Marketplace experiences transformed MDF into a unified, scalable benefit. Extended AI benefits to AI PC partners. Extended Points Redemption benefit to all earning partners. Significant improvement of Net Promoter Score (NPS) rating from partners
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=129
Lenovo
Program Name: Lenovo 360
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Rob Cato, VP, North America Channel, ISO
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Introduced new accreditations and certifications and new programs that reward partners for demonstrating their expertise in key strategic areas. We also introduced focused program investment for TruScale, our [as-a-service] offering, providing partners additional incentive to engage with Lenovo for this type of customer engagement with specific focus on services.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=143
Nutanix
Program Name: Elevate Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2020
Channel Chief: David Gwyn, SVP, Worldwide Channels and Customer Success
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Improved partner profitability on front- and back-end of sales, including doubling partner individual rep SPIF on new business.Deployed channel-led selling motion for partner autonomy. Evolution to orient around customer lifetime value and customer success. Opened cloud marketplaces as a new route-to-market.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=172
Nvidia
Program Name: Nvidia Partner Network
Year Program Established: 2014
Channel Chief: Darrin Chen, VP, Global Partners GTM & Operations
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Two areas of focus over the last year were: 1) Broke software out into its own competencies to better focus on software growth initiatives. 2) Focused on growing our GSI partner engagement and program support with increased dedicated account management, dedicated solutions architects, and focused customized training curriculum.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=173
Scale Computing
Program Name: Scale Computing Partner Community
Year Program Established: 2016
Channel Chief: Scott Mann, Global Channel Chief & VP of International Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: In addition to introducing an annual partner conference that brought more than 1,000 partners globally, we invested in giving partners access to a web-based demonstration instance. We also completed the building of a marketing automation module for partners, enabling them to leverage each of Scale Computing's corporate marketing campaigns.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=207
Schneider Electric
Program Name: mySchneider IT Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2022
Channel Chief: Gordon Lord, VP, US Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: The mySchneider IT Partner Program has a simplified program structure and enables specializations to adapt to partners' evolving business needs. The IT Solution Provider specialization provides an updated range of sales tools, training and our Rewards program.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=208
Schneider Electric
Program Name: Edge Software & Digital Services Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2022
Channel Chief: Gordon Lord, VP, US Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: We've made it easier for MSPs to build out their managed power practice through our EcoStruxure IT integration with ConnectWise and Digital Partner Journey. We expanded our services offering for partners launching EcoCare and piloting partner led services, giving MSPs the capability and support to service APC products.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=209
Schneider Electric
Program Name: mySchneider Panel Builders Program
Year Program Established: 2019
Channel Chief: Luis Daniel Campobello, Global Head – Panel Builder Channel
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Update of benefits and duties for each layer of the program. Greater focus on capturing prospects.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=211
SoftIron
Program Name: Softiron Channel Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Phil Crocker, CRO, VP, Business Development and Channel
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Company sales team committed to being 100-percent channel with a brand-new sales and marketing team installed in 2023 to achieve this. The expansion of the program to include a new premium tier called Diamond Elite. Breathing life into an already comprehensive and well-thought-out program with new, hand-picked partners.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=228
Vertiv
Program Name: Vertiv Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2016
Channel Chief: Peter Klanian, SVP, North American Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: We've remained competitive in our space by offering best-in-class support to our partners through local team members. We continually work to improve our tools, training, incentives and investments; the majority of our tools have remained unchanged. Our partners want consistency and we are seeing positive results from this approach.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=271