Sun Microsystems announced today that it has integrated its Sun Developer Connection[SM] Partner Program (previously Sun’s single worldwide entry point for software development companies)into its iForce Partner Program (previously comprised largely of Sun channel and integration partners). The company will now have a single partnership programme, to be known as the Sun iForce[SM] Partner Program.
“This is an important milestone for Sun,” says Nicole Gallant, manager, Software Strategic Alliances Research at IDC. “Consolidating partner activities under the iForce umbrella will help facilitate the development of Sun-based solutions and increase collaboration across its partner community – including development and reselling partner communities.”
Sun says the iForce Partner Program provides tools, marketing and development resources, as well as expanded revenue and market opportunities to all Sun iForce partners, along with sales incentives to channel and system integration partners. Some of the resources and incentive programs include access to development hardware, software and engineering-level technical support; iForce Solution, Partner and Partner Products directories; iForce Information Source; joint marketing activities and use of the iForce partner logo; access to iForce Solution Centres and iForce Competency Centres; and iForce Rewards incentives. An additional resource for the UK partner community is the iForce Partner Contact Centre. This enhanced partner program will help drive increased multi-company collaboration to expand the portfolio of customer solutions available on Sun’s network computing infrastructure platform.
“For more than 20 years, Sun has recognised and capitalised on the business value of strategic alliances to develop and deliver flexible, open and standards-based solutions to our customers,” says Stuart Wells, senior vice president, Market Development at Sun Microsystems, Inc. “Our commitment to our partners is stronger than ever, and today, through the iForce Partner Program, we can team with industry leading partners to deliver proven technology and business solutions for our customers.”
“The European partner community continues to grow – we currently have over 5,600 iForce members, with 550 new partners joining over the last three months,” adds Thomas Hughes, European Program Manager, iForce Partner Program. “This shows just how much interest and commitment there is from Sun’s European partner community. The 1,600 plus iForce partners in the UK represents the largest single-country community in Europe and that’s why we chose London as the venue for our Sun Tech Days event. Developers, partners, solution providers and resellers can come together at this even to work with Sun and help drive innovative solutions for our customers.”
“Key to Sun’s partner strategy are innovative go-to-market offerings that deliver better value to our customers and help drive profitability for both Sun and our partners,” says Shanker Trivedi, vice president of Global Sales Operations at Sun Microsystems, Inc. “Through our iForce Partner Program, we streamline engagements with all partners and foster multi-partner collaboration to develop and deliver the best network computing solutions to our customers”
The iForce Partner Program is part of Sun’s iForce Initiative, which aims to facilitate the exchange of partner products, services, tools, training, programs and expertise, helping partners generate more business, speed time-to-market, and reduce risk, while providing customers with higher-quality services based on industry best practices. All Sun partners, from development through channel and system integration companies, have been actively engaged in the iForce Initiative from its inception more than three years ago. Each partner’s contribution is unique.