IBM has launched IBM Partner Plus, a new program that grants business partners unprecedented access to the company's resources, incentives, and support.
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The program is designed to provide resellers, hyperscalers, independent software vendors, and systems integrators with more control over their earnings while promoting growth for both new and existing partnerships. This is an exciting opportunity that empowers partners to play a significant role in automating client businesses and helping to secure and modernize operations worldwide.
As a part of IBM's Hybrid Cloud and AI strategy, this initiative introduces a new way to deliver value to partners and help them win with clients. Kate Woolley, General Manager, IBM Ecosystem, expressed confidence that these changes, along with continued investment in the ecosystem, will make IBM the partner of choice across the industry, driving growth for partners, clients, and IBM.
IBM Partner Plus offers competitive incentives that allow partners to benefit through tier advancement and real-time visibility into potential earnings. Additionally, partners can access over 7,000 high-value deals worldwide via an automated deal share engine, revolutionizing the way deals are registered and providing new channels for demand generation. Access to insider training resources and seller tools allows partners to succeed, and they can attend Sales Kickoffs alongside IBM sellers, join live training sessions, or participate in global advocacy events to upskill and engage with expert technology solutions. Partners are also granted access to minimal viable products, proofs of concept, and custom demos that will help them stand out in an ever-evolving market landscape.
Partners who expand their businesses alongside IBM are offered additional benefits that enable increased capabilities for business expansion into new markets. By enrolling in IBM Partner Plus, partners can access a streamlined and modern experience and ascend to three progressive tiers, unlocking specialized financial aid, go-to-market support, and educational benefits based on successful technical skills development and sales success. The program also offers badging as an industry standard measure of skill progression alongside verified solutions that demonstrate expertise, and the newly improved IBM Partner Portal enables global tracking of revenue data and deals for greater transparency.
IBM Partner Plus unites the entire partner program and provides a comprehensive ecosystem to draw on, highlighted by the company's recent decision to allow partners in North America to resell IBM products through other cloud marketplaces, offering independent software vendors an opportunity to integrate IBM Software into their solutions and contributing towards progression within Partner Plus. The new incentive program takes effect on April 1, 2023, and registered PartnerWorld members can progress to the new tiering system upon meeting the criteria, retaining their current tier through July 1, 2023.
Resellers are waiting for test results and pricing information before they can fully embrace the news of new plans and technologies from suppliers. According to Jonathan Landy, manager of large clients at Rackmaster Systems, which supplies systems of its own assembly, it will take time for real products to appear, and until someone tries them out, the impact will remain uncertain. Pricing is also a crucial factor that needs to be considered before resellers can make informed decisions.
In the race for leadership, AMD has made a preliminary announcement about the release of dual-core processors while Intel hopes that their new Nocona processors will displace AMD Opteron processors. However, resellers believe that the channel will take some time to fully perceive and adopt new plans and technologies from suppliers, highlighting the need for effective communication and education from suppliers to ensure successful adoption and implementation.
By participating in IBM Partner Plus, partners can gain access to tools and resources that can help them grow their business and better serve their customers. Technical support can help partners troubleshoot issues and find solutions more effectively, while marketing resources can help partners promote their offerings and reach a wider audience. Training opportunities can help partners build their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends.
Additionally, IBM Partner Plus provides partners with access to IBM's extensive portfolio of software and hardware products. This allows partners to offer a wider range of solutions to their customers and differentiate themselves in the market. The program also encourages collaboration among partners, enabling them to work together on projects and leverage each other's expertise.
Some specific benefits of IBM Partner Plus include:
1. Technical Support: Partners can access technical support from IBM to help them address any challenges or issues they may encounter. This support can include assistance with product installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
2. Marketing Resources: IBM Partner Plus provides partners with marketing resources to help them promote their solutions effectively. This can include access to co-marketing funds, campaign materials, market insights, and guidance on creating impactful marketing strategies.
3. Training and Enablement: Partners can participate in various training programs and enablement sessions to enhance their skills and knowledge. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including IBM products, technologies, industry trends, sales techniques, and best practices.
4. Access to IBM Software and Hardware: Partners gain access to IBM's portfolio of software and hardware products, allowing them to offer a broader range of solutions to their customers. This includes products like IBM Watson, IBM Cloud, IBM Security, and IBM Power Systems, among others.
5. Collaboration Opportunities: IBM Partner Plus facilitates collaboration among partners, encouraging partnerships and alliances that can lead to joint opportunities and shared success. Partners can connect with other like-minded professionals and leverage each other's expertise to deliver comprehensive solutions.
6. Recognition and Incentive Programs: IBM Partner Plus recognizes and rewards partners for their achievements and contributions. This can include various incentives, certifications, awards, and partner level promotions, which can further elevate their status and credibility in the marketplace.
7. Innovation and Co-creation: Partners in the program have the opportunity to collaborate with IBM on co-innovation projects, where they can work together to develop and test new solutions or enhancements. This allows partners to leverage IBM's expertise and resources to create cutting-edge offerings that address emerging customer needs.
8. Sales Enablement: IBM Partner Plus offers sales enablement resources to help partners accelerate their sales cycles and drive revenue growth. This includes access to sales tools, solution playbooks, competitive insights, and sales training programs. Partners can leverage these resources to enhance their sales strategies, engage customers effectively, and close deals more efficiently.
9. Industry-specific Solutions: IBM Partner Plus focuses on delivering industry-specific solutions and expertise. Partners can gain access to industry frameworks, templates, and best practices that help them address specific business challenges faced by customers in sectors such as finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
10. Co-marketing Opportunities: The program provides partners with opportunities to collaborate on joint marketing campaigns, events, and initiatives. This can include co-branding activities, joint webinars, case studies, and participation in industry conferences. By partnering with IBM and other partners, businesses can amplify their brand reach and generate leads more effectively.
11. Technical Enablement: IBM Partner Plus offers technical enablement resources to help partners deepen their technical skills and knowledge. This can include access to labs and sandbox environments, technical workshops, certification programs, and training materials. Partners can leverage these resources to build expertise in IBM technologies and deliver robust and reliable solutions to their customers.
12. Support for Cloud Transformation: IBM Partner Plus provides support for partners looking to capitalize on the growing demand for cloud-based solutions. Partners can access resources such as cloud migration tools, cloud credits, assistance with building cloud-native applications, and guidance on leveraging IBM's cloud platforms and services.
14. Competitive Advantage: Being an IBM Partner Plus allows partners to differentiate themselves in the market by leveraging IBM's brand, reputation, and extensive product portfolio. This can help partners stand out from competitors and attract new customers.
15. Co-Marketing Opportunities: IBM Partner Plus offers co-marketing opportunities where partners can collaborate with IBM on joint marketing initiatives. This can include joint webinars, case studies, thought leadership content, and campaigns to reach a wider audience and generate leads.
16. Access to IBM Research and Innovation: Partners in the IBM Partner Plus program can tap into IBM's extensive research and innovation capabilities. They gain insights into emerging technologies, industry trends, and future developments, helping them stay ahead of the competition and offer cutting-edge solutions.
17. Cloud Credits: IBM Partner Plus provides partners with access to cloud credits, allowing them to develop and test solutions on IBM Cloud. This helps partners to explore new business opportunities, accelerate solution development, and showcase their offerings to clients.
18. Sales and Marketing Resources Portal: IBM Partner Plus offers a portal that provides partners with easy access to a wealth of sales and marketing resources. The portal includes training materials, sales guides, product information, marketing collateral, and other tools to support partners in their day-to-day activities.
19. Partner Locator: Partners in the IBM Partner Plus program are listed in IBM's Partner Locator, making it easier for potential customers to find and connect with them. This increases visibility and enhances opportunities for partner growth and customer acquisition.
20. Partner Recognition: IBM acknowledges and rewards partners for their contributions, accomplishments, and performance through various recognition programs. This recognition not only boosts partner morale but also enhances their credibility and reputation in the industry.
21. Solution Support: IBM Partner Plus provides support for partners in developing and delivering comprehensive solutions to their customers. Partners can access resources, tools, and expertise to design, implement, and support complex solutions that meet specific customer requirements.
22. Industry-Specific Programs: IBM offers industry-specific programs within Partner Plus to cater to partners serving different sectors such as finance, healthcare, retail, and more. These programs provide specialized support, resources, and expertise tailored to the unique needs of each industry.
23. Partner Development Funds (PDF): Partners can access Partner Development Funds to invest in activities related to business development, solution creation, and market expansion. These funds help partners accelerate their growth and increase their capabilities.
24. Deal Registration and Protection: IBM Partner Plus offers deal registration and protection, allowing partners to register their opportunities and protect them from being taken by other partners or direct sales teams. This helps partners secure their leads and ensure they receive the appropriate benefits for closing deals.
25. Global Reach: IBM Partner Plus is a global program, meaning that partners can access benefits and resources regardless of their location. This enables partners to collaborate and expand their reach globally, opening up new markets and opportunities.
26. Partner Community: IBM Partner Plus fosters a vibrant partner community where partners can connect, learn from each other, and share best practices. This community allows partners to collaborate, exchange ideas, and leverage the collective knowledge and experience of other partners.
27. Solution Validation: IBM Partner Plus provides partners with the opportunity to validate their solutions through IBM Solution Validation Centers. This validation process helps partners gain credibility and confidence in their solution offerings, making it easier to attract customers and close deals.