As a leading provider of Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and supporter of SDN initiatives, such as OpenFlow and OpenStack, Brocade has announced the rollout of an enhanced channel program. This includes a new component specifically designed for software networking partners. The Brocade Alliance Partner Network (APN) channel program will now include SDN-focused deal registration and demo program discounts, as well as a global reseller initiative for Brocade Vyatta vRouter products.
The APN program updates also support new initiatives for reselling Brocade Ethernet fabric solutions. Ethernet Fabrics is another area that Brocade has demonstrated market leadership, with over 1,400 customers having deployed Brocade’s VCS Fabric technology – more than any other vendor in the industry. When Ethernet fabrics are combined with SDN initiatives—including those that will evolve out of this program—network operators will be able to optimize their environment for virtualization on every level.
Bill Lipsin, Vice President of Global Channel Sales and Marketing, said, “With the introduction of the Brocade Vyatta 5400 vRouter into the channel and the new SDN-focused APN program initiatives, Brocade is delivering on its promise of empowering partners to succeed while furthering its existing business and technology efforts. We are focused on building technology solutions around the vision and possibilities created by Ethernet fabrics, and the new channel program supports that goal.”
The future of the data center is increasing virtualized and the model is going to evolve towards more automation, more software enabled solutions. The emergence of SDN as part of this change is a potentially disruptive trend for enterprise networking; but it is one that opens up significant opportunities in this sector – both now in developing the infrastructure required, and tomorrow as SDN deployments become wide-scale.
In this scenario, the channel will pay a very important role as advisors and consultants, providing enterprises with a roadmap for SDN deployments. And Brocade’s partner program that incentivizes and supports partners in the SDN space gives the channel a distinct competitive edge as organizations prepare for the inevitable shift towards SDN and similar and related solutions.
What’s New in the APN Program:
- The program enables partners to increase profitability and enhance skillsets through software networking-specific materials, sales and technical kits, updates to existing channel enablement platforms, demos and technical and sales training.
- With more than 100 approved partners participating, the program update is unique for its ease of access to education and training materials, and the opportunity to resell the Brocade Vyatta 5410, 5415 and 5420 vRouter models.
Brocade plans to roll out additional APN program changes in the second half of 2014 that will include more in-depth specialization updates, as well as key programs to reward partners that are providing managed and cloud service provider (MSP) and (CSP) programs.
