Novell to rate top partners

Novell has added a quality assurance stamp to the top two tiers of its PartnerNet programme

Novell has added a quality assurance stamp to the top two tiers of its PartnerNet programme, to help end-users identify specialist product and service resellers.

To qualify for Novell’s Partner Specialisations, resellers have to be either a Gold or Platinum-level

partner and have a “proven track record” with the company in one of five areas: Linux, identity management, resource management, networking services or collaboration.

Julie MacKenze, business partner sales director at Novell, said the programme would allow the top two tiers to differentiate their offerings.

“This enables partners to focus on specific products, as well as allowing end-users to identify partners skilled in specific solutions,” she said.

MacKenze dismissed claims that the move was merely an attempt to increase revenue through highly accredited partners.

“Silver-tier requirements mean those partners don’t have the right technical skills for Partner Special-isation, but we hope they see the value in progressing. We would encourage them to progress to Gold status,” she said.

CRN reported last year on Novell’s intention to change the name of its entry-level tier for PartnerNet partners to Silver, and to begin charging a fee (CRN, 29 November).

Mike Lawrence, managing director of Novell VAR Bentpenny, expressed reservations about the benefits of the vendor’s latest move.

“In effect, this is Novell saying it only wants to deal with those resellers earning the highest revenue,” he said. “This won’t spur resellers to train themselves further, but could actually have the opposite effect.”