NetApp Program Connects SPs, VARs For Storage Services And Cloud

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NetApp is rolling out a new program aimed at making it easy for service providers and solution providers to partner for storage-as-a-service or through the cloud.

NetApp this week said it wants service providers to join its new NetApp Partner Program for Service Providers as a way to not only make the vendor's storage technology a part of their services offerings, but more importantly as a way to connect with NetApp's solution provider base.

Julie Parrish, NetApp's vice president for global partner sales, said the new program is targeted at service providers as a way to help them work more closely with NetApp's sales reps and partners.

"This lets the service providers build out their storage service, and brings them partners to go to market," she said.

It is important to both NetApp and its service provider partners to make services based on NetApp storage easily available to solution providers because, unlike the other major storage vendors, NetApp has no plans to build a storage service to take direct to customers, Parrish said.

"Our entire strategy is to work with named telcos and branded service providers to help them push services to their customers," she said. "Companies like Rackspace and Terremark have big fat pipes for their services, but they don't have the kind of reach to go to all their potential customers."

Under the program, NetApp is offering two partner levels. At the platinum level are nationwide service providers, with Rackspace and Terremark so far the only two on the list. However, Parrish said, the company is in the process of signing up at least two major carriers.

At the gold level will be solution providers who are too small to offer managed storage services directly but who wish to partner with platinum-level partners to bring such services to their customers, she said.

Next: Getting Partners To Play Together

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