Oracle is encouraging its partners to embrace the cloud, and it's leading the way with new channel program features to entice solution providers.

In an interview with CRN TV during Oracle OpenWorld 2012, Jeff Porter, director of worldwide alliances and channels go-to-market at Oracle, described some of the recent partner program developments, including the Oracle cloud builder specialization.

"Many of our partners today are actually engaged in using Oracle hardware and software products -- our storage solutions, server solutions, Exa [appliances], middleware and database products -- and delivering private clouds for their customers," Porter said.

Porter said the Oracle cloud builder specialization was formed to recognize the partners that are executing those private cloud solutions. And Oracle is now upping the ante by giving those specialized partners the ability to resell Oracle cloud services for public clouds, via the Oracle Cloud Resale Program.

For more on Oracle's cloud play, watch the full interview with Porter.