2025 Partner Program Guide: 5-Star Software 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 software vendors for 2025.
Software Standouts
It’s often said that every business today is a software company. That’s not just because so many businesses across so many industries depend on system software and applications for their day-to-day operations. For a growing number of businesses, their products, services and intellectual property are embodied in, and delivered through, software.
But it’s the software products in the IT industry that are of real interest to solution providers. Also of major interest is the partner programs that those software companies assemble and operate to manage their relationships with the channel.
The CRN 2025 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 – 250 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 software space, a category that includes providers of application development/DevOps, application integration and application performance monitoring tools; AI software and AI models; big data and data analytics software; ERP, CRM and office productivity applications; unified communications collaboration software; and more. Details of every vendor’s partner program can be found at CRN.com.
Slideshows in the 5-Star Partner Program Guide series running this week include companies that provide products and services in eight technology categories: cloud, computing, data center, MSP platforms, networking, security, software and storage. A separate list will highlight startup companies with 5-Star Partner Programs.
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.
8x8
Program Name: Elevate
Channel Chief: Michelle Paitich, Global Vice President, Channel Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Improved referral residuals, created a new performance incentive for resellers, and significantly increased staff to support the channel – especially in North America.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=3
Atlassian
Program Name: Atlassian Partner Program
Channel Chief: Mai Doan, Head of Global Channel & Alliance
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Earlier in 2024 Atlassian revamped its partner program to optimize experiences and enhance customer success. Updates included a flexible tier framework, solution-aligned benchmarks, and new incentives like Partners for Nonprofits and cloud rebates. These changes empower partners to drive growth, collaborate effectively, and maximize returns on their investments globally.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=22
BMC
Program Name: BMC Ecosystem Partner Program
Channel Chief: Sam Lakkundi, Vice President, Global Partner Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Partner Elevate Events across Americas, EMEA, and APAC gathered 200-plus partners, fostering collaboration. The launch of the Partner Enablement Hub offers on-demand access to training, resources, co-marketing tools, and AI-driven sales support. Market expansion included new partnerships in the Nordics, Turkey, and North America with Arrow ECS and Hitachi.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=35
Broadcom
Program Name: Broadcom Advantage Partner Program
Channel Chief: Brian Moats, Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Sales and Partners
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Enhancements around deal registration for partners on new/migration/expansion and incumbency protection on renewals. Partner value recognition around professional services via Expert Advantage. Simplified solution bundles and enhanced partner sales tools, customer look-up systems and dashboards. Introduced free on-demand training for all partners and expanded Knights certification track for VMware partners.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=36
Program Name: Broadcom Expert Advantage Partner Program
Channel Chief: Brian Moats, Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Sales and Partners
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Broadcom added VMware VCF, Tanzu and VCSP service partners into the Expert Advantage partner ecosystem. The company improved its demand generation efforts to promote professional services partners using the INSIGHTS platform. It increased investment and publication of resources to drive alignment between Broadcom Professional Services teams with services delivery partners.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=37
Cloudera
Program Name: Cloudera Partner Network (CPN)
Channel Chief: Michelle Hoover, Senior Vice President, Partnerships and Small & Medium Business
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Cloudera made several enhancements to its partner ecosystem over the last year, notably expanding its Enterprise AI Ecosystem to include Anthropic and Snowflake. Cloudera also enhanced and expanded its rebate programs, launched a comprehensive technical pre-sales training program, and developed a new asset library with expanded sales and marketing content.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=44
ControlUp
Program Name: Drive DX
Channel Chief: Julia Scully, Global Channel Chief
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
ControlUp implemented compensation neutrality for its sales organization to reduce conflict with partners and standardized its partner program globally. The company added advisory rewards to protect partners if customers purchase through an alternative source and an incentive-based rebate program for larger deals. Great 2024 results were realized as a result.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=1
Creatio
Program Name: Creatio Partner Program
Channel Chief: Alex Domchuk, Senior Vice President, Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Creatio revamped its enablement program with over 25 new team members supporting partner onboarding and project delivery. The company’s investment of 400-plus hours in partner training yielded strong ROI within the first year. Creatio also eliminated the MDF structure, providing each partner with a $500,000 annual co-marketing fund.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=56
Cribl
Program Name: Cribl Partner Program
Channel Chief: Zac Kilpatrick, Vice President, Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Cribl enhanced its partner program with a new “Registered” partner level for easier onboarding, and debuted enhanced incentives for performance and mandatory deal registration to unlock higher discounts. The company also launched the Technology Alliance Partner Program, offering ISVs and CSPs tiered benefits, resources, and support for integrations, joint initiatives, and go-to-market activities.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=57
Flexera
Program Name: Flexera Partner Program
Channel Chief: Guy McWilliam, Vice President, Global Channel
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
In 2024 Flexera unified the best of Snow Software and Flexera’s partner programs into a new, industry-leading program. Key improvements included enhanced commercial structures, streamlined operations, and improved partner alignment, empowering partners to future-proof their service offerings and drive greater value for customers.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=95
Genesys
Program Name: Genesys Ascend
Channel Chief: Larry Schurtz, Chief Sales Officer
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
The Genesys partner program is transforming to align with cloud adoption and evolving buying patterns, strengthening ties with global partners and collaborating with GSIs. It’s modifying the Ascend program to empower VARs and referral partners to deliver customer value and adding a Partner Loyalty Program for influence partners, including GSIs.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=101
GoTo Technologies
Program Name: GoTo Partner Network
Channel Chief: Michael Day, Vice President, Partner Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
GoTo launched a new partner onboarding program and a continued learning platform for current partners. The company launched a dedicated MSP partner sales team and is building the foundations for expansion into additional MSP IT distribution marketplaces. It also extended program and partner marketing support to additional EMEA markets.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=104
Hitachi Vantara
Program Name: Hitachi Vantara Partner Program
Channel Chief: Greg Bucyk, Vice President, Strategic Partners and Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Introduction of new partner competencies, reducing overall compliance requirements by 30 percent; consolidating partner sales, presales, and technical training and enablement on a single platform; introduced new partner branding for business models; enhanced Center of Excellence capabilities; provided new RFP templates and resources; introduced multi-language content; and accelerated the partner onboarding experience.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=110
Intermedia Cloud Communications
Program Name: Intermedia Champions
Channel Chief: Jonathan McCormick, COO and Head of Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
This year, Intermedia expanded globally by assuming NEC’s Univerge Blue cloud communications business across North America and EMEA, strengthening the company’s ability to support partners worldwide. Intermedia also welcomed service providers like Astound Broadband, Great Plains Communications, and Voys, reinforcing the company’s innovative white-label solutions and robust partner-first approach across diverse industries.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=124
Jamf
Program Name: Jamf Global Partner Program
Channel Chief: Marc Botham, Global Vice President, Chanel and Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
By introducing a points-based program, Jamf offers the right benefits to the right partners at the right time, tailored to their value propositions and business models. Partners accumulate points through investment actions (e.g., completing sales trainings and certifications) and performance actions (e.g., closing revenue-driving deals).
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=126
Laserfiche
Program Name: Laserfiche Solution Provider Program
Channel Chief: Josep Domingot, Vice President of Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Laserfiche restructured its customer success team to be more focused on direct deals, relying on channel partners for customer service. The company released system assessment tools to reduce costs and facilitate more upgrades and migrations to Laserfiche Cloud. Laserfiche expanded free training and improved its internal referral process for presales demonstrations.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=136
LogicMonitor
Program Name: LogicMonitor Partner Program
Channel Chief: Michael Tarbet, Global Vice President, Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
LogicMonitor’s partner program is experiencing unprecedented growth. As a result, the company introduced the LogicMonitor Partner Program, with tiering, to simplify its program offering and provide consistent support to partners globally, while building flexibility into the program to reward partners who are driving accelerated sales of LogicMonitor.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=139
Microsoft
Program Name: Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program
Channel Chief: Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Launched Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, still embracing the needs of all partners but infusing AI design wins into its benefits, skilling, incentives, and capacity models. This evolution introduces specialized designations for Azure AI and Copilot solutions, expanded co-sell opportunities, and improved resources and support for ISVs.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=145
NetDocuments
Program Name: NetDocuments Partner Program
Channel Chief: Reza Parsia, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Enriched sales and technical enablement for the company’s partner community with additional courses, tools, and material. Made investments into partners who grow their business with NetDocuments.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=152
New Relic
Program Name: New Relic Partner Program
Channel Chief: Larissa Crandall, Channel Chief, Global Channels & Alliances Leader
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
New Relic is investing heavily in the partner ecosystem for the next phase of growth. The company is revamping the certification program for technical roles, creating more use case/business outcome curriculum to drive growth within their customer base. New Relic created specialization tracks for engineers to increase their knowledge around AI per customer demand.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=153
NinjaOne
Program Name: NinajaOne Now
Channel Chief: Joe Lohmeier, Vice President of Channel Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
NinjaOne launched NinjaOne Now – a global partner program focused on partner growth and success. The program offers extensive training and support along with integrations with leading IT/security solutions, enabling partners to solve complex challenges for customers. Through new incentives, it rewards partners for new business, cross-sells, upsells, and renewals.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=156
Paessler
Program Name: Paessler Partner Program
Channel Chief: John Andrews, Vice President, Global Channel & MSP
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Created vertical-specific partner sales training materials in education, healthcare, and industrial IT /OT markets, with customizable, integrated marketing to reach potential customers in high-growth markets. Margin acceleration between Paessler CAMs and partners for net-new enterprise customer acquisition. Transitioned from perpetual to subscription licenses for better recurring revenue opportunities.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=166
Qlik
Program Name: Qlik Partner Program
Channel Chief: Susie LeMay, Senior Director, Channel Sales NORAM
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Launched two-tier distribution model in North America and EMEA. Introduced Renewal Scorecards for partners. Extended resell discount to renewals.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=174
Quest Software
Program Name: Quest Partner Circle Program
Channel Chief: Randall Klaus, Senior Director – Global Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Quest made a strategic investment to hire a channel program and strategy leader that will work to deliver an enhanced partner program. The company also made great strides in expanding its partners’ exposure via social media as the company now leverages Credly across all of its business units.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=176
Red Hat
Program Name: Red Hat Partner Connect
Channel Chief: Stefanie Chiras, Senior Vice President, Partner Ecosystem Success
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Red Hat revamped its global partner engagement experience to offer greater simplicity, choice and flexibility for partners. The new framework takes a modular approach to programming, enabling partners to engage more intentionally in specific areas and earning points and incentives for those activities that align with their business goals.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=181
SAP
Program Name: SAP PartnerEdge
Channel Chief: Karl Fahrbach, Chief Partner Officer
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Launch of new SAP Learning platform. Making cloud-focused competencies a core requirement for performance within Sell and Service tracks. Transitional shift in program design to focus on cloud by discontinuing leveling attainment for on-premises solution revenue. New cloud ERP recognition programs with incentive to migrate installed on-premises customers.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=187
ServiceNow
Program Name: ServiceNow Partner Program
Channel Chief: Erica Volini, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships and Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Enhanced performance incentives, upgrading systems and tools for improved efficiency and strengthening partner communications.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=198
Siemens Digital Industries
Program Name: Siemens Digital Industries Software Global Partner Program
Channel Chief: Jeff Zobrist, Vice President, Global Partner Network and Go-to-Market
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Siemens continued supporting partners’ transition to the cloud business model with laser-focused, role-based enablement and a new quote-to-order (CPQ) platform. Accordingly, the company put an increased focus on technical enablement, customer success and professional services, as those areas are critical to driving sustained SaaS success and recurring revenue.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=201
Sovos Compliance
Program Name: Sovos Partner Network
Channel Chief: Chris Clinton, Chief Partner Officer
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Sovos announced enhancements to the Sovos Partner Network program, further elevating the company’s commitment to transforming compliance from a business requirement into a force for growth. The simplified program provides partners with an easy path to growth through new technology, revenue, and marketing opportunities.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=208
Splunk, a Cisco Company
Program Name: Splunk Partnerverse Program
Channel Chief: Gretchen O’Hara, Vice President, Worldwide Partners and Alliance
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
The simplified Splunk Partnerverse Program ensures partners are well-equipped to address customer needs, develop top-tier integrations, and deliver high-quality services through expanded benefits. Partnerverse is expanding to include the Advise motion for systems integrators, advisory, consultancy and service delivery partners, which rewards excellence in solution practices and customer lifecycle management.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=210
SUSE
Program Name: SUSE One Partner Program
Channel Chief: Joel Petlick, Vice President, North America Channel
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Expanded the company’s partner program to include increased overall incentives coupled with the launch of new cloud elevate/marketplace programs providing parity across all routes. Strategically aligning the organization to better support partners with focused and specialized resources globally. Creating a follow-the-sun partner success support team.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=214
Zoom Communications
Program Name: Zoom Up Partner Program
Channel Chief: Nick Tidd, Head of Global Channel GTM
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year:
Introduced tools like Zoom’s Deal Dashboard, Renewal Dashboard, and a simplified deal registration process to streamline sales cycles. Resources such as a comprehensive onboarding guide help partners drive Zoom business more effectively. Enabled referral and resale through the company’s channel, opening new ways for partners to expand their footprint with Zoom.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2025-details?c=247
