VMware helps partners increase virtualization expertise

New Delhi: VMware announced a significant increase in the number of VMware partners investing in their virtualization practices, through enhanced accreditation and certification programs. These programs are offered as part of VMware's partner program-VMware Partner Network, which was launched earlier this year.

More than 16,000 individuals from more than 1,200 partner companies have been trained on VMware vSphere 4, since the product became available in May 2009. Since then, more than 60 percent of all Premier-level partners in the program have begun taking the necessary training to achieve their first solution competency.

The number of partners achieving VMware Technical Sales Professional (VTSP) accreditations has grown more than 500 percent YoY.

“Our partners are essential to our business and VMware is passionate about providing them with a world-class partner program,” said Doug Smith, Sr Director-Global Channels, VMware. “The VMware Partner Network is designed to provide partners with the tools they need to stand out in the eyes of customers and gain a long-term competitive advantage for their virtualization practices. Since introducing the VMware Partner Network, we have seen thousands of professionals working towards their VMware accreditations and certifications, with hundreds of new companies developing competencies in specific VMware solutions,” he added.

“VMware's solution competency program has provided us with knowledge and skills that allow us to better serve our customers and stay competitive. We're delighted to be the first VMware partner in the UK to have achieved the infrastructure virtualization competency. We are already reaping the benefits through our improved delivery of VMware server virtualization and consolidation solutions, and in the way that we are able to prove our credentials to prospective clients,” said Ashley Gardiner, Director, VMSecured.

Program benefits:

Solution competencies: Partners are able to earn competencies in four areas-Infrastructure virtualization, business continuity, desktop virtualization and virtualization management

New and improved information portal: VMware's revamped partner portal, Partner Central, enables partners to more easily access the marketing and sales tools, leads modules, market development funds, service-related intellectual property, and other tools needed to grow their VMware virtualization businesses

Partner University: VMware Partner University is the virtual campus that helps accelerate partners' virtualization practices through training and education on VMware products, services and solutions under one framework

Enhanced Partner Locator: VMware partners are highlighted in Partner Locator on VMware.com, which enables customers to find local partners based on their areas of expertise. Partner Locator identifies partners based on their geography, partner type, level in VMware Partner Network, and earned competencies