NetApp has announced new updates to its Unified Partner Program to complement and align with its partners' business capabilities and models.

The programme will be simplified and expanded, aiming to deliver a consistent experience, accelerate partner profitability, and provide partners with a predictable business environment.

“Customers need partners who are subject matter experts and can help them successfully design and implement their digital transformation projects,” says NetApp global partner GTM and programmes head Chris Lamborn.

“That's why in the coming fiscal year, we will recognise partners based on their demonstrated ability to sell, implement, and support NetApp based solutions in areas that accelerate a successful digital transformation journey in a hybrid multi-cloud world.”

Changes include:

• Simplify – NetApp will unify contracts and agreements; streamline guides and policies; offer fewer, more focused, deal-based incentive programmes; and offer growth attainment rebate programmes. 
   
• Expand – NetApp will provide Registered Partners with access to more information, communications, enablement, and training.
  The updates will also include bringing Cloud First Partners into the NetApp Unified Partner Program and expanding NetApp Learning Services training programs for cloud partners and service providers.
  NetApp will also expand and update its specialisations with new content and benefits, including the addition of SAP and XaaS (“anything as a service”). 
   
• Invest – NetApp will continue to invest in tools that make business planning and incentive management and measurement simpler and more collaborative for partners.
  It will offer a bigger payout in its New Account Incentive Program and allow rebates to be paid faster through the Run to NetApp Incentive Program.
  NetApp also launched a new Tech Refresh Incentive Program that helps partners take advantage of the extensive NetApp installed base.
   
• Differentiate – NetApp now organises partners by Registered, Gold, Platinum, and Star programme levels.
  The programme will showcase partners with specific and focused specialisations, highlighting partners who provide services across key focus areas, including XaaS, implementation, support, cloud, foundation, hybrid cloud, and converged infrastructure. 

“Our values include a commitment to partner profitability, ease of doing business, and advancing an excellent return on our partnerships. We do this in part through ongoing partner listening activities and always ask how we can make our programs better. As a direct result of our partners' input, we make ongoing improvements to our portfolio, programs, policies, and processes,” Lamborn states in a blog post on the updates.

“We continue to monitor the business climate and changes in technology and the industry as well as listen to both partners and customers on a regular basis. As the next year progresses, you will see us roll out new features of our partner programme, with an eye towards more simplification, increased profitability and additional ways for our partners to differentiate.