2018 Partner Program Guide: 5-Star System/Data Center Technology Vendors
All Systems Go
Despite the rise of cloud computing, most businesses still base their IT operations around networks of servers, networking and storage hardware, infrastructure and management software, and PCs and mobile computers that connect to it all.
Solution providers who sell, install and maintain these systems for their customers often work with some of the biggest vendors in the IT industry, including Cisco, Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. But they also have the opportunity to work with smaller IT vendors, even startups, that offer IT products that compete with the established players or leading-edge technology that the big guys just don't have.
For solution providers, that means making decisions about which vendors to partner with. And what level of support, incentives and rewards vendors are offering through their partner program is a big part of those decisions. CRN's 2018 Partner Program Guide offers the information solution providers need to evaluate IT vendors they work with or are considering working with. The guide is based on detailed applications vendors submitted outlining all aspects of their partner programs.
As part of the Partner Program Guide, CRN designates some programs as 5-Star Partner Programs. Here we present the 5-Star designees in the system and data center technology space. This list covers vendors who supply hardware such as servers, networking, storage and hyper-converged systems. It includes vendors of data center software for systems and network management, data and information management, disaster recovery, virtualization, and software-defined networks and storage. Manufacturers of processors, personal computers and tablets are included, as are Infrastructure-as-a-Service providers.
Other slideshows in the Five-Star Partner Program Guide series running this week include companies that provide software, cloud, network/unified communications, storage, peripherals and security technology.
Alaris, a Kodak Business
Program Name: Alaris Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2016
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Premier, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Maia Mosillo
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=11
AlgoSec
Program Name: AlgoSec Channel Program
Year Program Established: 2003
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver Bronze
North American Channel Chief: Jim O'Gara
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=12
APC by Schneider Electric
Program Name: APC Channel Partner Program
Year Program Established: 1991
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Premier, Select, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Shannon Sbar
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=14
Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company
Program Name: Partner Ready for Networking
Year Program Established: 2016
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Service Provider, Gold, Silver, Business
North American Channel Chief: Jim Harold
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=19
Aryaka Networks
Program Name: Aryaka Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2014
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Richard Farbman
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=20
Asigra Inc.
Program Name: Asigra Hybird Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2009
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Eran Farajun
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=21
AT&T
Program Name: AT&T Alliance Channel
Year Program Established: 1998
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Kevin Leonard
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=22
AT&T
Program Name: AT&T Partner Exchange
Year Program Established: 2012
Partner Program Tiers: AT&T Partner Exchange – Platinum Elite, AT&T Partner Exchange – Platinum
North American Channel Chief: Randall Porter
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=23
Avaya
Program Name: Avaya Edge
Year Program Established: 2016
Partner Program Tiers: Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald
North American Channel Chief: Gary Levy
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=29
Barracuda Networks
Program Name: Barracuda Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2004
Partner Program Tiers: Premier, Preferred, Authorized, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Ezra Hookano
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=31
BlackBerry Ltd.
Program Name: BlackBerry Enterprise Partner Program For Solution Providers
Year Program Established: 2014
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Jeff Bruce
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=34
BMC
Program Name: BMC Partner Advantage
Year Program Established: 2012
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver
North American Channel Chief: Sanjay Gupta
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=37
bpm'online
Program Name: bpm'online Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2003
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Alex Donchuk
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=38
CA Technologies
Program Name: CA Advantage Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2008
Partner Program Tiers: Global, Focus, Premier, Advanced, Member
North American Channel Chief: Tony Jennings
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=44
Ciena Corporation
Program Name: BizConnect Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2006
Partner Program Tiers: Diamond, Platinum, Gold
North American Channel Chief: Linda Hutchinson
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=51
Cisco Systems
Program Name: Cisco Channel Partner Program
Year Program Established: 1996
Partner Program Tiers: Gold, Premier, Select, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Rick Snyder
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=52
Cisco Systems
Program Name: Cisco Cloud and Managed Services Program
Year Program Established: 1996
Partner Program Tiers: No Tiers
North American Channel Chief: Rick Snyder
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=56
Citrix Systems
Program Name: Citrix Partner Network
Year Program Established: 1989
Partner Program Tiers: Citrix Solution Advisor – Platinum, Citrix Solution Advisor – Gold, Citrix Solution Advisor – Silver
North American Channel Chief: Rafael Garzon
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=57
Cloudistics
Program Name: Accelerate
Year Program Established: 2017
Partner Program Tiers: Premier, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Christopher Myhill
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=62
Commvault
Program Name: Global Partner Advantage Program manager (includes North American channel program)
Year Program Established: 2013
Partner Program Tiers: MarketBuilder, Premier, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: David Fischer
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=65
Cradlepoint
Program Name: Cradlepoint Authorized Channel Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2011
Partner Program Tiers: Elite
North American Channel Chief: Tony Puopolo
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=68
DataCore Software
Program Name: DataCore Premier Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2013
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Mike Coner
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=74
Datto Inc.
Program Name: Datto Global Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2017
Partner Program Tiers: Blue, Enterprise, Professional, Business
North American Channel Chief: Rob Rae
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=75
Dell Inc.
Program Name: Dell EMC Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2017
Partner Program Tiers: Titanium, Platinum, Gold
North American Channel Chief: Gregg Ambulos
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=77
Digium Inc.
Program Name: Digium Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2007
Partner Program Tiers: Select, Registered, Service Provider, Affiliate, DMR
North American Channel Chief: Steve Harvey
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=85
Eaton
Program Name: PowerAdvantage Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2009
Partner Program Tiers: PowerAdvantage Certified Partner, PowerAdvantage Authorized Partner, PowerAdvantage Approved Partner
North American Channel Chief: Graciano Beyhaut
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=90
Extreme Networks
Program Name: Extreme Partner Network
Year Program Established: 1996
Partner Program Tiers: Diamond, Gold Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Gordon Mackintosh
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=97
Flowmon Networks a.s.
Program Name: Flowmon Channel Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2014
Partner Program Tiers: Flowman Distributor, Flowmon Gold Partner, Flowmon Silver Partner, Flowmon Bronze Partner, Flowmon Registered Partner
North American Channel Chief: Adam Wright
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=103
GFI Software
Program Name: GFI Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2017
Number of North American Partners: Gold, Silver, Bronze
North American Channel Chief: Thomas Witting
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=108
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Program Name: HPE Partner Ready
Year Program Established: 2002
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Business
North American Channel Chief: Terry Richardson
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=112
Hitachi Vantara
Program Name: Hitachi TrueNorth Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2003
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum/Platinum Elite, Gold, Silver
North American Channel Chief: Jay McGloin
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=113
Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions
Program Name: Honeywell Performance Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2015
Number of North American Partners: Platinum Elite, Platinum, Gold, Silver, DMAR/NBR, Associate Reseller
North American Channel Chief: Eric Rivas
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=114
HP Inc.
Program Name: HP Partner First
Year Program Established: 2015
Partner Program Tiers: Partner First Platinum, Partner First Gold, Partner First Silver
North American Channel Chief: Stephanie Dismore
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=115
IBM
Program Name: PartnerWorld
Year Program Established: 1999
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Dorothy Copeland
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=116
IFS
Program Name: IFS Partner Network
Year Program Established: 2012
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Parker Zanios
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=117
IGEL North America
Program Name: IGEL Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2016
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Authorized, Reseller
North American Channel Chief: Brad Tompkins
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=118
iland
Program Name: iland Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2006
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Premier, Professional
North American Channel Chief: Koorosh Khashayar
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=120
Imperva
Program Name: Imperva PartnerSphere Channel Program
Year Program Established: 2008
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver
North American Channel Chief: Kirt Jorgenson
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=122
Intel Corp.
Program Name: Intel Technology Provider Program
Year Program Established: 1980
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Jason Kimrey
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=127
Ivanti
Program Name: Ivanti Partner Program
Year Program Established: 1985
Partner Program Tiers: National Sales Providers, Expert Solution Providers, Managed Service Providers, Distribution
North American Channel Chief: Reza Parsia
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=133
Juniper Networks
Program Name: Juniper Partner Advantage Program
Year Program Established: 2012
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Select, Reseller (VAR), Distributors
North American Channel Chief: Brian Rosenberg
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=137
KEMP Technologies
Program Name: Partner at KEMP Program
Year Program Established: 2013
Partner Program Tiers: KEMP Center Partner, KEMP Authorized Partner, KEMP Lite Reseller
North American Channel Chief: Tim Quinn
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=140
Lenovo
Program Name: Lenovo Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2005
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Rob Cato
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=143
Lenovo Data Center Group
Program Name: Lenovo Data Center Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2017
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Stef Bockhop
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=144
Mellanox Technologies
Program Name: Mellanox PartnerFIRST Program
Year Program Established: 2008
Number of North American Partners: Elite, Premier, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Darrin Neil Chen
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=151
Microsoft Corporation
Program Name: Microsoft Partner Network
Year Program Established: 2010
Partner Program Tiers: Gold Competency, Silver Competency, Action Pack Subscriber, Network Member
North American Channel Chief: David Willis
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=153
Mimecast
Program Name: Mimecast Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2018
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Premier, Certified, Business
North American Channel Chief: Shawn Pearson
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=154
NCR Corporation
Program Name: Interact
Year Program Established: 2010
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Premier, Advanced
North American Channel Chief: Kathryn Alexander
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=156
Nerdio
Program Name: Nerdio Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2017
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold
North American Channel Chief: Paul Guerin
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=159
NetApp
Program Name: NetApp Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2002
Partner Program Tiers: Star, Platinum, Gold
North American Channel Chief: Jeff McCullough
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=160
Nexsan
Program Name: Nexsan Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2001
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Gregg Pugmire
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=164
Omnitracs
Program Name: Omnitracs Partner Advantage
Year Program Established: 2013
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum Certified, Gold Certified, Silver Certified, Referral Partner Program
North American Channel Chief: Don Quatacker
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=169
Oracle Corporation
Program Name: Oracle PartnerNetwork Program
Year Program Established: 1999
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver
North American Channel Chief: Bill Swales
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=174
Panzura
Program Name: Panzura Freedom Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2016
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Premier, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Steve Simpson
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=181
Pivot3
Program Name: Pivot3 Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2014
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Mark Maisano
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=186
Polycom Inc.
Program Name: Polycom Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2009
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Authorized, Registered
North American Channel Chief: David Bankemper
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=190
Puppet
Program Name: Puppet Partner Network
Year Program Established: 2010
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Corporate
North American Channel Chief: John Schwan
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=195
Pure Storage
Program Name: P3 (Pure Partner Program)
Year Program Established: 2012
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver
North American Channel Chief: Andy Martin
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=196
Quantum Corporation
Program Name: Quantum Alliance
Year Program Established: 2002
Partner Program Tiers: NOW Program, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Distributor
North American Channel Chief: Brandon Cass
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=200
Red Hat Inc.
Program Name: Red Hat Connect
Year Program Established: 2006
Partner Program Tiers: Premiere, Advanced Business, Ready
North American Channel Chief: D. Robert Martin
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=205
Ribbon Communications
Program Name: Advantage Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2012
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze
North American Channel Chief: Beth Frazier
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=208
Ribbon Communications
Program Name: Ribbon Partner Assure Program
Year Program Established: 2014
Partner Program Tiers: Gold Assure Partner, Silver Assure Partner, Bronze Assure Partner
North American Channel Chief: Beth Frazier
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=209
RiverBed Technology
Program Name: RiverBed Rise
Year Program Established: 2018
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Premier, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: John Machonis
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=211
Ruckus Wireless
Program Name: Ruckus Ready Channel Program
Year Program Established: 2017
Partner Program Tiers: Elite Partners, Select Partners, Distribution Partners
North American Channel Chief: Raelyn Kritzer
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=213
Samsung Electronics America
Program Name: STEP – Samsung Team Of Empowered Partners
Year Program Established: 2014
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Greg Taylor
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=217
Scale Computing
Program Name: Scale Partner Community
Year Program Established: 2016
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Referral
North American Channel Chief: Scott Mann
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=219
Schneider Electric
Program Name: EcoXpert Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2010
Partner Program Tiers: Master EcoXpert, Certified EcoXpert
North American Channel Chief: James Mylett
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=220
Server Technology Inc., a brand of Legrand
Program Name: Power Rewards Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2002
Partner Program Tiers: Gold, Silver, Bronze
North American Channel Chief: Mike Johnston
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=225
ServiceKey
Program Name: Independent Service & Maintenance Organization
Year Program Established: 2004
Partner Program Tiers: No Tiers
North American Channel Chief: Danielle Lee
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=226
Silver Peak Systems Inc.
Program Name: Global SD-WAN Channel Program
Year Program Established: 2015
Partner Program Tiers: Summit, Ascent, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Derek Dal Ponte
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=230
Snow Software Inc.
Program Name: Snow Global Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2012
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Authorized, Referral Only
North American Channel Chief: John Clark
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=233
SolarWinds MSP
Program Name: SolarWinds MSP Channel Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2016
Partner Program Tiers: Distributors, MSP Elite, MSP
North American Channel Chief: Frank Colletti
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=234
StorageCraft
Program Name: StorageCraft Partner Network
Year Program Established: 2009
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Lee Schor
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=242
Sungard Availability Services
Program Name: SugarCRM Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2008
Partner Program Tiers: Solution Partner Premier, Associate Partner Premier, Solution Partner Select
North American Channel Chief: Tim Cecconi
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=244
Tech Data
Program Name: TechSelect
Year Program Established: 1999
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Joe Quaglia
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=248
Tech Data
Program Name: Tech Data Practice Builder
Year Program Established: 2017
Partner Program Tiers: Not Specified
North American Channel Chief: Joe Quaglia
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=249
Veeam Software
Program Name: Veeam ProPartner Program
Year Program Established: 2006
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Registered
North American Channel Chief: Kevin Rooney
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=261
Verizon
Program Name: Verizon Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2013
Partner Program Tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Member
North American Channel Chief: Bill Hooper
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=263
Vertiv
Program Name: Vertiv Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2004
Partner Program Tiers: Diamond Platinum, Gold
North American Channel Chief: Bob Nahorski
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=264
Viavi Solutions
Program Name: Velocity Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2015
Partner Program Tiers: Elite, Premier, Authorized
North American Channel Chief: Frank Griffith
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=265
Virtual Instruments
Program Name: The Virtual Instruments Partner Network (VPN)
Year Program Established: 2011
Partner Program Tiers: VIP Platinum, VIP Gold, VIP
North American Channel Chief: Paul Brodie
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=267
Zebra Technologies
Program Name: Zebra PartnerConnect
Year Program Established: 2016
Partner Program Tiers: Premier Solution Partner/Premier Business Partner, Solution Partner/Business Partner, Broadline Technology Reseller, ISV, Registered Reseller
North American Channel Chief: Tom Sheahen
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=276
Zerto
Program Name: Zerto Alliance Partner (ZAP) Program
Year Program Established: 2012
Partner Program Tiers: ZAP Platinum, ZAP Gold, ZAP Silver, ZAP Registered
North American Channel Chief: Mariah West
Partner Program Details: /partner-program-guide/ppg2018-details.htm?c=278