Flash storage solutions specialist Nimble Storage has announced a launch of its new global channel partner programme that will offer new incentives, certifications and sales tools to help partners seize the selling opportunities.
Aimed at partners reselling the Nimble Adaptive Flash platform, the new scheme will help the channel partners increase selling opportunities through a number of incentives and three certification levels. Partners that sell Nimble products and services will be recognised as gold, silver or bronze and the access to respective ‘enhanced resources’ will vary and depend on the certification level the partners obtain, the company says. Generally, the said resources include on-demand demonstrations, networking opportunities at both local and international levels and branded marketing material.
Nimble has also decided to reward the respective channel partners for achieving their milestones across different market segments. Depending on their certification levels, the rewards will grant the partners with access to additional funds. For example, the Gold and Silver Partners will be offered the participation in the Nimble Loyalty Incentive Programme with an allotment of the marketing development funds (MDF). Other rewards include the sales performance incentive funds (SPIF) that enable partners to replace older storage units with Nimble Adaptive Flash platform as well as discounts on Not-for-Resale (NFR) equipment for lab and demonstration purposes and a deal registration programme that offers discounts for new sales opportunities.
To maximise the selling opportunities for partners, Nimble will align its new programme with its technology alliance partners, including Cisco and VMware, to help grow the business of their joint partners, it says. The joint programmes for strategic partners will target a go-to-market quarterly business plan and help create strategic solution selling opportunities.
Additionally, Nimble plans to provide its dedicated marketing and sales team to support the strategic planning of the partners selling its storage solutions. On top of that, the company has revealed one of its sales tools which is the Nimble Partner Portal, which offers a real-time access to information and includes content for partners including sales and marketing tools. Following this, the company has also launched the partner mobile application that provides real-time information from the Partner Portal including a deal registration and technical specifications for Nimble solutions.
Other sales tools, which are available through the Partner Portal, include the presentation materials for clients as well as the latest information on incentives and promotions. Additionally, for the partners who would like to learn more about the Nimble Adaptive Flash platform, the company offers free online training courses through Nimble University and a partner webinar series.
“We believe that providing our partners the combination of the best-in-class storage solutions and comprehensive enablement resources will prove invaluable in bringing our Adaptive Flash platform to enterprises worldwide. We know that the growth rate and success of our organisation is dependent on our partners’ ability to successfully and independently sell our products and solutions. Because of this, we’ve designed a programme that removes the complexity seen in other partner programmes. The Nimble Partner Programme encompassing all of our certifications, incentives and enablement tools in an easy to understand approach,” says director of Channel Marketing, Nimble Storage, Alvin DaCosta.