NetApp refreshes partner program for AI-era data transformation
Revamped partner program includes new incentives, competencies and services as well as AI certification.
NetApp has refreshed its partner program to boost partners’ capabilities to deliver digital transformation initiatives for enterprise customers and capitalise on the surge in demand for AI.
“It’s a unified framework that simplifies engagement and accelerates success across all partner types,” said Stephen Persoglia, director, channel sales, NetApp.
The refreshed program covers a set of 16 solution competencies across AI, cloud transformation, cyber resilience and data infrastructure modernisation, aligned with business priorities.
The services track allows partners to co-brand with NetApp and build a portfolio with NetApp, distributor or partner-led services.
Partners should see a boost in earnings potential, with new incentives and benefits, resources to reach new customers, access to proof of concept or lab environments and pathways to expand their service offerings.
“The program consolidates co-selling, co-marketing, services and enablement into a single system, providing partners with tools, certifications and tiered incentives,” he said.
Capitalising on growing demand for AI
Persoglia is seeing partners moving into broader transformation areas such as cyber resilience, cloud migration and infrastructure modernisation, and the smaller end of the market.
“We’re working with new tranches of partners to breach the SMB or mid-market segment now that we have cost-competitive solutions in Capacity Flash and ASA,” he told CRN Australia.
NetApp also wants to support partners to harness the opportunities that AI is opening up. Pointing to the surge in demand for AI, the number of partners in APAC certified to distribute and sell AI solutions has nearly tripled year-over-year.
This is seeing partners expand into verticals where AI is driving transformation, particularly financial services, public sector and healthcare.
“These industries are prioritising AI readiness, yet many enterprises still struggle to move beyond proof-of-concept,” said Persoglia.
AI transformation is often hindered by scattered data and siloed storage infrastructure, making it harder for AI engineers and data scientists to train and develop models, noted Persoglia.
With this in mind, NetApp is focused on helping organisations manage their data across hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments and simplifying data management.
“This is why we’ve refreshed training competencies in pertinent areas like AI model training and agentic AI deployment, to help our partners solve these pain points for our customers,” he said.
NetApp relies heavily on its partner ecosystem to co-innovate, deliver services and provide first-hand insights into customer needs and challenges.
The refreshed program has been designed in tandem with partner needs.
“We’ll continue to build trust by staying open with our partners and move in lockstep, providing mutual value to each other’s organisations,” he said.