2024 Partner Program Guide: 5-Star Cloud Platform And Infrastructure 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 cloud platform and infrastructure vendors for 2024.
The Sky’s The Limit For Cloud Partner Programs
A great deal of IT processing has shifted from on-premises to the cloud in recent years and cloud platforms and services – and the solution providers and MSPs that work with them – a critical part of the IT operations at many businesses and organizations today.
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 cloud platforms and infrastructure 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.
11:11 Systems
Program Name: 11:11 Systems Partner Program
Year Program Established: 1995
Channel Chief: Koorosh Khashayar, SVP, Global Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: In 2024, we're focused on our partnerships – adding new channel partners to the 11:11 Partner Program and continuing to invest in our existing partners. We're also streamlining our solution portfolio as well as adding new products to support new cloud, connectivity, and security solutions the market demands.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=1
Akamai Technologies
Program Name: Akamai Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2011
Channel Chief: David Allen, VP, Partner Sales and Services
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: We introduced an additional pricing discount on approved deal registrations for eligible products and a new pathway for program level advancement, expanded monthly product and industry calls to include partners, streamlined our partner recruitment and onboarding process, and introduced a new partner portal UX for the newly established proposal-based MDF program.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=7
Amazon Web Services
Program Name: AWS Partner Network (APN) Program
Year Program Established: 2012
Channel Chief: Julia Chen, VP, AWS Partner Core
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: At re:Invent 2023 we shared 10 key enhancements across partner programs and services to enable ease of doing business, reduce cost of working with us, and expand [partner] opportunity at every stage of [partners’] AWS journey. We're creating levers that [partners] can use to deliver revenue growth.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=9
Cloudflare
Program Name: Cloudflare Partner Network
Year Program Established: 2013
Channel Chief: Matthew Harrell, Global Head of Channels & Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Cloudflare's newly-created partner Reward-for-Value model for specializations around zero trust, managed services and professional services. This follows the notable demand in the SASE/zero trust market and prioritization to equip Cloudflare's partners and business. Cloudflare application and network security, and SASE/zero trust are now available on a consumption basis.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=50
Fastly
Program Name: Fastly Global Partner Network
Year Program Established: 2022
Channel Chief: Parket Zanios, Sr. Director, Global Channel Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: This year we added partner packages, and simplified pricing. Additionally, we focused on our go-to-market motion by simplifying our ordering process and ability to receive go-to-market funds. We brought on new head count to help recruit and onboard new partners, and headcount for partner enablement.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=98
Google Cloud
Program Name: Google Cloud Partner Advantage
Year Program Established: 2019
Channel Chief: Kevin Ichhpurani, VP, Global Partner Ecosystem & Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: In 2023 we evolved program requirements to raise the bar on customer excellence. We placed greater emphasis on skilled capacity and service capabilities, expanded partners' service-capable talent by focusing on individual certifications, and we introduced product track-specific partner requirements for Google Cloud, Google Workspace and Chrome.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=108
HYCU
Program Name: Global HYCU Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Jessica Degenhardt, Sr. Director, Americas Channel
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: The introduction of R-Cloud and R-Graph, a first-of-its-kind tool that allows partners a brand new revenue stream to visualize their entire data estate, including SaaS apps. As part of this, HYCU offers specific certification and training to make this effort successful for them.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=118
LogicMonitor
Program Name: LogicMonitor Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2019
Channel Chief: Michael Tarbet, Global VP, MSP & Channel
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Our program delivers joint business planning to ensure go-to-market alignment, deal registration to capture new customers, incentives to motivate partner sellers, marketing development funds (MDF) to drive co-marketing activities with partners, and a technical sales program to enable partners with knowledge and skills to be successful in the field.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=148
Sherweb
Program Name: Sherweb Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2010
Channel Chief: Jim O’Driscoll, VP, Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Our partner program underwent strategic alignment with key priorities like Azure and cybersecurity. While not revolutionary, these adjustments enhance partner support, offering Microsoft Azure integration and specialized training. These efforts ensure our program remains adaptable and proactive in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=224