Syndicate
) November 3, 2008 --
Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAVA) today expanded its software channel
program to leverage the market momentum behind Sun's leading software
products, including open source powerhouses GlassFish(TM) application
server, MySQL(TM) database, OpenSolaris(TM) operating system and xVM
VirtualBox(TM), to provide partners with new ways to reach new
customers, open new markets and grow their businesses. As part of this
broader initiative, Sun announced significant enhancements to the
Sun(SM) Partner Advantage Program with the introduction of the Open
Access Channel Program and a set of new Software Specialties. To learn
more about these programs, go to www.sun.com/partners/resellersor listen to the segment on Blog Talk Radio here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/sunradio/
SunNews/2008/10/31/Sun-Partner-Advantage-Program. (Due to its
length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet
browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)
“Channel partners play a very important role
in supporting our customers' needs around the world and with these new
programs we're making sure that they are equipped with the right
products to drive expansion into current and new markets,”
said Jesse Chavez, vice president, Global Partner Sales, Sun
Microsystems. “The Open Access Program and
Software Specialties are game-changers for both resellers who simply
want easier access to sell Sun software and current Sun Partners that
want to expand their software and service delivery practices.”
As part of Sun's partner-first initiative, the company continues to
enhance the Sun Partner Advantage Program by providing maximum choice
and flexibility to meet a broad range of partner business models. The
Sun Partner Advantage Program is an integrated program that makes it
easy for a broad range of partners to deliver complete customer
solutions spanning systems, software and services. Open Access makes it
easier for new and existing channel partners globally to sell Sun
software with little up-front investment, while the Software Specialties
provide partners with the tools they need to expand their high-value
integration services practices around Sun's market leading software
solutions and grow their revenue.
“The industry's best channel programs think
about the business outcomes along side technology, provide simplified
engagement with the partner community, and allow the channel to leverage
all vendor tools and resources,” said Tiffani
Bova, vice president, WW IT Channel Programs and Sales Strategies,
Gartner. “Channel programs which assist
partners in developing solutions and offer substantial flexibility in
engagement models achieve the greatest success in the marketplace.”
Sun Software Specialties
Sun's new Software Specialties enable partners to expand their
integration services expertise for high value services-rich deployments,
grow top line revenue and margins and differentiate themselves from
their competitors by providing customers more value with comprehensive
solutions. Software Specialties provide a new entry point into the Sun
Partner Advantage Program for partners focused on providing these
high-value integration and consulting services to solve their customers'
most urgent business problems including, the need to quickly develop new
applications, run them more securely, connect with more customers,
protect user identities and provide a more flexible infrastructure for
their company's growth. The program provides a framework for partners to
engage with Sun and build successful practices around software
technologies that solve customer problems. It gives integration and
consulting partners the necessary tools and intellectual capital to sell
and deploy customer solutions around market-leading Sun software,
including identity management, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), open
storage, Sun xVM Ops Center, xVM Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and
MySQL. The new framework makes it easy for partners to build Specialties
around a number of technologies to match their needs as they grow into
new areas.
“Through the Identity Management Specialty,
Sun has developed a program that recognizes our expertise and the value
that we can bring to the ecosystem,” said
Brian Brannigan, managing director, Agreon, a Sun Partner Advantage
member based in Australia. “By providing the
content, tools and support to enhance our business, our customers are
the ultimate winners. Sun's open source approach takes this to a new
level by significantly reducing the barriers to both entry and exit.”
Sun Open Access Channel Program
Sun is expanding its commitment to the channel with the Open Access
Channel Program which gives resellers a simple, no barrier to entry
option for gaining access to Sun's software portfolio. New resellers can
grow their businesses by expanding their product portfolios to include
Sun software solutions. Distributors can grow their businesses by
recruiting and cultivating new partner relationships focused on selling
Sun software with little investment and risk. Existing partners who have
already invested in Sun software will continue to receive the extensive
program benefits that are available only to Sun Partner Advantage
Program participants.
“We are constantly looking for ways to
streamline our business, develop our ecosystems and enable our partners
to be more successful. Sun's Open Access Channel Program not only
reduces barrier of entry but it also allows for more cross pollination
between our lines of business which should result in better services to
Swiss customers,” said Harald Wojnowski, head
of value added distribution, ALSO Switzerland, a Sun distributor.
About the Sun Partner Advantage Program
The Sun Partner Advantage Program is designed for partners seeking to
differentiate themselves in the marketplace with innovative solutions
based on Sun technology. The program enables Sun and its partners to
deliver end-to-end IT solutions to our customers and grow profitably
together. The Sun Partner Advantage Program is a flexible, predictable
program based on progressive membership levels, where partners are
rewarded for increased commitment, performance and value. For more
information about the Sun Partner Advantage Program, please visit www.sun.com/partners.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Sun Microsystems develops the technologies that power the global
marketplace. Guided by a singular vision -- "The Network is the
Computer" -- Sun drives network participation through shared innovation,
community development and open source leadership. Sun can be found in
more than 100 countries and on the Web at .
Sun, Sun Microsystems, Java, the Sun logo, GlassFish, MySQL,
OpenSolaris, VirtualBox and the "Network is the Computer" are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. or its subsidiaries
in the United States and other countries.