Brocade Adds Technology Specializations to Partner Program

By Doug Allen

Data center equipment company Brocade has added new technology-specific channel partner specializations to its Alliance Partner Network (APN) program, combining standard industry certifications with vendor-developed testing requirements. Those members who complete the training achieve the status of Brocade Specialized Partner, demonstrating greater expertise across a number of related networking technologies for the data center, especially in network design/architecture and application optimization.

The specialization program will lead off with the Brocade Network Infrastructure Partner Specialization track for its SAN and IP/Ethernet line of channel partners. Further tracks with their own affiliated requirements will be added for Brocade Virtualized Fabrics Partner Specialization and Brocade Application Delivery Partner Specialization later this year.

Brocade is expanding its APN program benefits too, which already include low- or-no-cost training, access to marketing development funds, and deals and leads registration. The new specialization program includes dedicated pre-sales support, access to seed units and proof-of-concept labs, opportunities for special accreditation, and dedicated lead assignments. Partner specializations can also be progressively applied to their overall rebate scheme.

The addition of these new specializations to the Brocade APN program aligns with our commitment to support our partners as they help their customers migrate to new networking technologies to future-proof their networks, said Barbara Spice, vice president of Worldwide Channels at Brocade. Brocade is dedicated to the continual development of APN program elements that bring value and additional revenue opportunities to partners. These specializations will help partners to differentiate themselves in an exceedingly competitive business environment and enable them to become and remain trusted IT advisors to their customers.