2024 Partner Program Guide: 5-Star Software Vendor Programs
As part of the annual Partner Program Guide, CRN designates some vendor channel programs as 5-Star Programs. Here are the 5-Star Programs among software vendors for 2024.
Software Standouts
There is a saying that every business today is a software company. That’s true in that the success of so many businesses in so many industries is closely tied to software, either for maintaining operational efficiency or in how they manage their intellectual assets.
But it’s the software vendors in the IT industry and their products that are of real interest to solution providers. Also of major interest is the partner programs that those software companies assemble and operate to manage their relationships with the channel.
The CRN 2024 Partner Program Guide offers the information solution providers need to evaluate the channel programs operated by the IT vendors they work with or are considering partnering with. The guide is based on detailed applications submitted by vendors – more than 280 this year – outlining all aspects of their partner programs.
As part of the Partner Program Guide, CRN designates some programs as 5-Star Partner Programs because they provide the most comprehensive lineups of incentives, resources, training, services and benefits.
Here we provide snapshots of the 5-Star designees in the software space. Details of every vendor’s partner program can be found at CRN.com.
Slideshows in the 5-Star Partner Program Guide series running this week include companies that provide products and services in cloud platforms and infrastructure, devices and peripherals, data storage and backup, networking and unified communications, security, software, and systems and data center, in addition to 5-Star partner programs operated by emerging vendors.
While many companies provide products and services that span multiple technologies, we’ve assigned each vendor to the slideshow for the technology category in which they are most prominent.
Acumatica
Program Name: Acumatica Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2010
Channel Chief: CJ Boguszewski, SVP, Partner Programs and Strategy
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Acumatica is launching referral and affiliate marketing programs to leverage the burgeoning customer population of Acumatica, with significant business growth expected from that. Additionally, we're putting in place an ever-boarding program for the company’s VAR practices to ensure optimal skill sets across the salient roles are deployed.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=5
Atlassian
Program Name: Atlassian Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2015
Channel Chief: Ko Mistry, Head of Global Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Atlassian announced significant changes to its partner program to focus on partner capabilities, solution competency, and customer success. The updated program allows partners to differentiate their Atlassian practices and grow their sales and/or services revenues. New registration programs were introduced to enhance co-selling engagement and recognize partner services contributions.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=22
Automation Anywhere
Program Name: Pinnacle
Year Program Established: 2022
Channel Chief: Ben Yerushalmi, SVP, Global Alliances & Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Automation Anywhere’s partner scorecard is now available on the partner portal for partners to login and view where they stand in the Pinnacle program and their program tracks. This scorecard is updated in real-time as activities are completed, track minimum requirements met and points earned and they move up Pinnacle Program levels.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=23
AvePoint
Program Name: AvePoint Global Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Scott Sacket, SVP, Partner Strategy
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: AvePoint added to the AvePoint Certification Program, enabling entire organizations to become certified in AvePoint technology and services as part of the company’s expansive training and development offerings. The Partner Locator also launched to fuel new business for partners by directing AvePoint customers to MSPs to build services around AvePoint technology.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=27
BMC
Program Name: BMC Partner Ecosystem Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Sam Lakkundi, VP, Global Partner Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: BMC introduced persona-based tiering to acknowledge each partner's distinct contributions, offering sales or consulting paths. The Partner Success Program further incentivizes partners with a BMC technical practice by aligning them with product teams for implementation support and providing complimentary technical training. We also introduced Sales and Pre-Sales Certifications.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=36
Boomi
Program Name: Boomi Global Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2020
Channel Chief: Dan McAllister, SVP, Alliances & Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: In addition to general improvements to systems and enablement for our partners, in 2023 Boomi redesigned its OEM and embedded partner program, providing new options for embedding, reselling, or partnering with Boomi through new, pre-configured integration packages to drive increased ease of use and time to value.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=37
Broadcom (Advantage Partner Program)
Program Name: Advantage Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2020
Channel Chief: Cynthia Loyd, VP, Global Partner, Enterprise and Commercial Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Over the past year Broadcom has focused on optimizing the partner experience and delivering operational efficiency by enhancing platform systems and tooling for ease of doing business. Together, the Advantage Partner Program, the Expert Advantage Partner Program and the Cybersecurity Aggregator Program, have transformed the way the channel operates.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=39
Cisco AppDynamics
Program Name: Cisco AppDynamics Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Mark Maslach, VP, Global Channels & Strategic Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: In FY24 the Cisco AppDynamics Partner Program has been refined to align closely with Cisco's partner offerings, which will help in promoting integration and cross-architecture practice development. The updated program rewards partners for lead sourcing, demand generation, pre/post-sales services and driving adoption, nurturing a symbiotic and profitable business landscape.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=47
ConnectWise
Program Name: ConnectWise Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Clint Maddox, CRO
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: The ConnectWise Partner Program has grown significantly, expanding its team of 70-plus and offerings. The company invested in an intuitive marketing automation platform and expanded beyond cybersecurity to include BCDR and IT services.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=56
ControlUp
Program Name: Drive DX
Year Program Established: 2022
Channel Chief: Julia Scully, Head of Global Channel Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: ControlUp has implemented compensation neutrality for its sales organization to reduce conflict with partners [and] standardized its partner program globally. Additionally, the company added advisory rewards to protect partners if a customer purchases through an alternative source and an incentive-based rebate program for larger deals.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=58
Genesys
Program Name: Ascend Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Bernadette Wightman, VP, Partner and Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: The Ascend Partner Program is fully aligned with company strategy, moving from a transactional model to one focused on recurring performance. All partner KPIs are linked to the SAAS infinity loop covering sales proficiency, deal registration, transaction, technical proficiency, consumption and renewal with an emphasis on maximum customer success.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=105
Hitachi Vantara
Program Name: Hitachi Vantara Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2018
Channel Chief: Kimberly King, SVP, Strategic Partners and Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Addition of new partner sales and presales tools, including new proposal generator; new virtual labs environment launched; consolidation of partner events programs; increased partner inside sales capabilities; increased partner marketing resources; significant re-design of partner portal with increased personalization; introduction of new sustainability credit; and new product demo experience website.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=114
IGEL
Program Name: IGEL Velocity
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Phil Eden, VP, Channel Sales, North America
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: IGEL elevated its Partner Advisory Council (PAC) program, bringing together thought leaders from the company’s top partners. Further empowered the adoption of the new subscription-based licensing model and launched an MSP partner program that includes consumption-based licensing. Also expanded ISV program support to further the company’s reach with leading hardware manufacturers.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=121
Laserfiche
Program Name: Laserfiche Solution Provider Program
Year Program Established: 1990
Channel Chief: Taylor Grosso, Sr. Director, Global Channels and Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Laserfiche is introducing a new MDF program. Additionally, the company reimagined the Winners Circle experience to positive feedback from channel partners. Additionally, the company made significant updates to sales enablement tools and resources, competitive battlecards, sales decks, etc.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=142
Liquidware
Program Name: Liquidware Partner Network
Year Program Established: 2009
Channel Chief: Anthony Keller, Director, US Channel
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Liquidware has reduced the overall number of partners in its channel program in order to dedicate resources and investment to partners whose core business and customers most closely align with those of the company. Liquidware also reduced the partner program tiers to two: Acceler8 and Standard.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=146
Morpheus Data
Program Name: Morpheus Data Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2019
Channel Chief: Heather Somerville Gonzalez, VP, Global Channels
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Morpheus Data enhanced its instructor-led technical courses to be "story-based," demonstrating real-world, step-by-step, positive impacts of how customers' business problems are solved. The company has added two advanced courses for Automation and Troubleshooting, and a new certification, Morpheus Certified Automation Specialist. Partners can now showcase digital certification badges via Credly.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=158
N-able
Program Name: N-able Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: David Weeks, Sr. Director, Partner Experience
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: N-able has continued to expand its Business Transformation program with the objective of driving tangible business outcomes to help scale success for MSP partners. It includes onsite executive programs for MSP owners and senior leadership, an industry benchmark tracking key financial and operational metrics, and a peer group program.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=159
Nerdio
Program Name: Nerdio Partnerd Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Joseph Landes, CRO
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Nerdio's Partner Program hasn't undergone any major changes in 2024, but the company continues to prioritize training and education for MSPs, allowing for in-person and virtual engagement throughout the year.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=161
NetDocuments
Program Name: NetDocuments Partner Program
Year Program Established: 1998
Channel Chief: Reza Parsia, VP, Strategic Partnerships
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Enriched sales and technical enablement for the NetDocuments partner community with additional courses, tools and materials, and investments into partners who grow their business with NetDocuments.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=165
NinjaOne
Program Name: NinjaOne Now
Year Program Established: 2023
Channel Chief: Joe Lohmeier, VP, Global Channel Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: NinjaOne will be implementing a great deal of infrastructure changes, including a modified partner portal with co-branding, MDF tracking, and partner performance metrics.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=169
Oracle NetSuite
Program Name: NetSuite Solution Provider Program
Year Program Established: 2002
Channel Chief: Craig West, Group VP, Channel Sales and Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Expanded product portfolio with the addition of Text Enhance (powered by generative AI) and Field Service Management. Created certifications for new products to help customers and partners optimize the suite and profit from earned marketplace skills. Expanded talent development offerings with new partner opportunities within Oracle University and Oracle Veterans.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=180
Paessler AG
Program Name: The Paessler Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2019
Channel Chief: Peter Campisi, Channel Director, US
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Created vertical-specific partner sales training materials to develop sales strategies in education, healthcare, and industrial IT /OT markets, with customizable marketing campaigns for a cohesive, integrated approach to reach potential customers in high-growth markets. Margin acceleration by joint efforts between Paessler CAM's and partner for net-new enterprise customer acquisition.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=181
Qlik
Program Name: Qlik Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2015
Channel Chief: Susie LeMay, Director, Channel Sales
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Rebalancing of resell and co-sell benefits, integration and consolidation of partner programs due to acquisition, and program simplification and Improved partner experience.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=191
Quest Software
Program Name: Quest Partner Circle Program
Year Program Established: 2016
Channel Chief: Todd Werner, VP, Channels & Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Quest made significant investments in enabling more productivity and recognition for our partner community, including enhancements for MSPs, CSPs, influencers, Alliances, GSIs and our broad VAR community. Quest also provided partners a richer learning experience by moving to LITMOS and launched Credly to allow more exposure to the market via social media.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=193
Red Hat
Program Name: Red Hat Partner Connect
Year Program Established: 2006
Channel Chief: Stefanie Chiras, SVP, Partner Ecosystem Success
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Over the past year, Red Hat has been working to evolve its partner engagement model and programming to enable streamlined experiences and easier access to critical technology, training and resources for partners.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=197
SAP
Program Name: SAP PartnerEdge
Year Program Established: 2005
Channel Chief: Nanette Lazina, Chief Partner Officer, North America
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: SAP evolved its Competency Framework with the new Intelligent Enterprise competency and specialization designations recognizing a partner's business process expertise. The company increased partner marketing efforts to help partners lead-generation success and introduced the Customer Success Guide to help partners manage the full cloud lifecycle and maximize adoption and renewal.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=205
ServiceNow
Program Name: ServiceNow Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2018
Channel Chief: Erica Volini, SVP, Alliances & Channels Ecosystem
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: A complete redesign and launch of a new partner program focused on competency, capability and customer success. Launched in March 2023 with many additional incentives, enhancements and program benefits.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=221
Siemens Digital Industries Software
Program Name: Siemens Digital Industries Software Global Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2007
Channel Chief: Jeff Zobrist, VP, Global Partner Network and Go-To-Market
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Siemens Digital Industries Software continued its shift to the cloud business model. Accordingly, the company has put an increased focus on technical enablement, customer success and professional services, as those areas are critical to driving sustained SaaS success and recurring revenue.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=225
Splunk
Program Name: Splunk Partnerverse Program
Year Program Established: 2022
Channel Chief: Gretchen O’Hara, VP, Worldwide Partners & Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Splunk says its Splunk Partnerverse Program is a game-changer for partners, offering many benefits that drive profitability and success. By becoming a Splunk partner solution providers gain access to cutting-edge technology, extensive resources, and incentives. The program, according to Splunk, ensures partners are well-equipped to address customer needs, develop top-tier integrations, and deliver high-quality services.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=234
SS&C Blue Prism
Program Name: Partner Engage Program
Year Program Established: 2019
Channel Chief: Linda Dotts, Chief Partner Strategy Officer
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Tailored incentive programs to align with the specific expertise of each channel partner as the company continues to cultivate an ecosystem of top-tier collaborators. Utilized the expansion of the Intelligent Automation portfolio, particularly in business process management, as a catalyst for channel partner expansion.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=235
SUSE
Program Name: SUSE One Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2020
Channel Chief: Joel Petlick, VP, North America Channel
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Invested in expanding SUSE’s cloud offerings. Improved how the company rewards partners through incentives for better partner profitability as well as individual rewards earned in the partner loyalty program, SUSE Champions. Technical support for the development of joint partner solutions and reference architectures.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=240
Synopsys
Program Name: Synopsys Partner Program
Year Program Established: 2021
Channel Chief: Tom Herrmann, Global VP, Channels & Alliances
Most Significant Changes To Partner Program Over The Past Year: Synopsys launched an implementation services training program to skillup partners to provide services to customers on par with our own, but partners retain 100-percent of margin. The company expanded the consumption based MSSP program to include Synopsys SaaS solutions. And the company launched the MDF program, which is accessible to all partners.
Partner Program Details: https://www.crn.com/partner-program-guide/ppg2024-details?c=241