Open source software vendor Red Hat is expanding its JBoss Certified ISV Programme to make it more welcoming for ISVs wanting to buy into the vendor's middleware offering.

The programme, which sits as a component of the wider Red Hat Partner Programme, currently has 250 ISV members worldwide. The programme will now offer enhanced software, support and sales and marketing benefits to ISVs integrating their applications with JBoss enterprise platforms.

Red Hat indicated that 2008 has been a fruitful year for partner recruitment for JBoss. It also claimed end users are looking for increased service level agreements around support, patches, updates and business continuity and that the JBoss programme was being expanded to help ISVs deliver these.

ISVs can join the JBoss programme for free. It offers benefits including discounts on technical support and training, help with marketing and access to Red Hat's Partner Centre and inclusion in is Partner Catalogue.

Craig Muzilla, vice president of Red Hat's middleware business unit, said: " As industry momentum shifts away from complex and expensive proprietary platforms towards proven and tested industry-leading open source platforms, there is increased demand for an easy path for ISVs to certify on JBoss Enterprise Middleware. The JBoss Certified ISV Program will help our partners meet these demands and will expand the reach of JBoss Enterprise Middleware by ensuring that ISVs are developing their next generation applications on and with JBoss platforms.