New, Updated Partner Programs: 8×8, AWS, Vonage

AWS, 8×8 and a host of IT/telecom vendors are diversifying their partner bases.

We witnessed a trend of companies offering an olive branch to new partner models last month. AWS reports that more hardware manufacturers and legacy system integrators are joining its born-in-the-cloud partners. 8×8 welcomed VARs into its new partner program. And an IoT security company opened its gates to distributors, consultants and many other partner types.

We also saw geographical expansion in December, as Vonage moved its channel into Europe, and the Dutch company Betty Blocks formalized partner operations in the U.S.

Other news includes HP launching new financing options for partners that want to mature their business models, as well as a master agent agreement with a supplier.

Scroll through the 12 mini-stories below.

Missed last month’s gallery? Find the November edition here.

8x8

The UCaaS provider officially welcomed VARs into its partner program.

8x8 is no stranger to working with resellers, but the announcement affects the recently launched Elev8 partner program. VARs can obtain "an advantageous ability to market to their end users and give their customers a path to cloud communication services,” according to John DeLozier, 8×8's senior vice president and global channel chief.

The company said its referral program reached 1,000 active channel agents in 2019.

Read about the program expansion.

Vonage

The cloud communications provider is "organically" expanding its channel program into the United Kingdom.

Vonage announced plans to bolster its investment in U.K. resellers as it targets Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Key to that announcement was the hiring of Adam Wilson, who will serve as U.K. channel lead.

Check out our story about the Vonage expansion.

AppSmart

The B2B marketplace bolstered its supplier portfolio again.

Prodoscore, whose tools help companies measure employee productivity, signed an agreement with AppSmart. The deal will give subagents access to bundled UC, CRM and collaboration solutions.

The agreement came shortly after AppSmart announced its third master agent acquisition in a year.

Get details on AppSmart's portfolio.

AWS

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network is diversifying.

Doug Yeum, the head of AWS worldwide channels and alliances, said that although the program originally served mainly cloud-borne system integrators, the partner fold has widened to include other SIs, MSPs and hardware manufacturers. He said the 8-year-old program is adding about 50 partners daily.

“We will continue to open new regions in all the world’s major economies and many emerging ones," Yeum said.

Check out Kelly Teal's Channel Futures article.

NetApp

The data management company launched a new program that changes the way partners sell hardware.

NetApp’s global channel chief explained that customers can procure NetApp storage solutions as a service and pay a subscription. He said partners could earn 20% margin by not having to worry about attaching a title to the hardware they sell.

NetApp announced the program at its Insights 2019 conference in Las Vegas.

Jeffrey Schwartz covered NetApp for Channel Futures.

HP

HP rolled out new financing and leasing options through its HP Integrated Financial Solutions organization.

Partners can harness new financial support as they attempt to develop as-a-service business models. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Financial Services and the finance company DLL Group are partnering with HP in the initiative.

Check out Lynn Haber's story.

GoodData

GoodData expanded its reseller program by adding a third partner.

NTT subsidiary NTT Data joined two other IT services partners who will sell GoodData's analytics platform. GoodData's CEO said the partnership will help target the rich Japanese manufacturing market with NTT Data's Industrial internet-of-things platform.

Read about the agreement.

Veeam

The data management company expanded the Veeam Accredited Services Partner program.

The expansion offers more training, marketing support and other benefits to partners. Veeam launched the VASP program about a year ago.

Read Todd Weiss' story.

Seynd

VARs, ISPs, MSPs are among the partner types that can join Seynd's new reseller program.

Seynd has worked with resellers and other partners before but decided to formalize the program in December. Partners will benefit from a 10% "jump-start" margin during their first three months.

The company provides automated web push notification services.

Get details on Seynd's program.

Betty Blocks

The Netherlands-based application development platform vendor launched a U.S. partner program.

Partners can access a support, training and new customer opportunities, with the chance to earn more merit-based benefits. Betty Blocks was already offering a European channel program and decided to expand it based on demand from U.S. customers.

Learn more about Betty Blocks.

CyberX

The IoT and industrial control system security provider added new partner types to its channel program.

The expanded Xcelerate program accommodates consultants, distributors, VARs, MSPs and other partner types. Benefits include technical support, MDFs and deal registration.

“Our partners have given guidance and requirements around how to better meet their modern needs to grow their businesses. Examples include pricing, profitability, support, programs, processes, co-marketing, enablement — and in other areas that are important to them," CyberX's vice president of alliances and business development said.

Edward Gately has the scoop.

Impinj

The radio frequency identification solutions provider replaced its partner program.

The previous program focused on partners who resold the connectivity component of Impinj's platform, but the new Impinj Partner Network welcomes several additional partner types. IoT resellers, ISVs, distributors, service providers and OEMs are some of the new companies that can take advantage of partner benefits and networking opportunities with Impinj.

Read more about Impinj and its new program.