DEVOPSdigest

Docker launched a new tiered partner program to address the growing enterprise demand for Container as a Service (CaaS) offerings through its commercially-available Docker Datacenter solution.

With this expansion, Docker provides its global partners with a well-defined path for selling Docker services and solutions while enabling them to build on their expertise in Software Defined data centers, converged infrastructure and cloud technologies. The program provides partners with the resources, training, access to knowledge and the joint selling success stories needed to identify, fulfill and win strategic enterprise opportunities for Docker’s commercial platform.

As part of a new tiered structure, Docker is addressing the needs of a growing number of reselling and consulting partners globally that are building a Docker “Practice”. By creating both Professional and Premier tiers for reselling, consulting partners, global system integrators and federal system integrators, Docker is rewarding partners with program benefits that are tied to the level of expertise and investments partners are making in their Docker Practices. Docker’s enterprise platform is also easy to implement and “pluggable”, enabling partners to offer IT operations new services that leverage their existing infrastructure or DevOps expertise. Docker partners work with enterprise customers to automate the entire application lifecycle using Docker Datacenter as the enabling solution for enterprises to realize the benefits of Docker CaaS.

“With the growing demand for Docker’s Enterprise products globally, Docker is ramping its programs to enable a broader ecosystem of partners to participate in its success while providing them the resources needed to confidently sell Docker’s Enterprise solutions,” said Alan Geary, Senior Director, Channels and Alliances for Docker. “We have developed the program so that partners are able to ramp up and very quickly achieve a win with their customers -- often in the same time it would take other solutions to run a proof-of-concept. We are helping our partners build out a practice that complements what they do today, with an incremental opportunity for them to align their business with Docker’s sales cycle.”

Docker is also launching several enhancements to the program which includes Sales, Presales, Technical and Consulting accreditations for individuals who complete the training and pass the required exams. Docker is also augmenting its partner portal to include up-to-the minute information that is exclusively available to program members. Docker is also tiering the benefits to increase the margin partners get when they proactively register deals with Docker. Finally, for partners that want to resell Docker Datacenter Subscription, Docker will be authorizing Value Added Resellers, who meet the minimum training requirements, to sell Docker Datacenter Subscriptions in North America and EMEA.

As part of the expanded partner program, Docker is also moving into distribution in North America and EMEA. This will help to streamline the transaction process and enable partners to leverage value added distributors such as SYNNEX Corporation to resell and implement Docker’s commercial solutions. SYNNEX is Docker’s only commercial distributor in North America. Docker already has established its distribution channel for partners focused on U.S. federal customers through SYNNEX, Immix and Vizuri. Docker’s distributors offer a broad range of value-added services for Docker’s partners and serve as an extension of Docker to ensure partners have the tools and support needed to sell Docker’s commercial container solutions.