Dell unveils top tier

Vendor reveals requirements for resellers looking to become a Certified-level partner

Dell has taken the wraps off the much anticipated top tier of its UK PartnerDirect channel programme.

The Dell Certified Channel Partner (DCCP) programme, requires VARs to attain a specified CompTIA certification in either printers, workstations, servers, enterprise technology, storage and solutions and also to complete a Dell Sales Foundation course which has previously only been open to Dell employees.

Dell will offer DCCPs additional benefits including pricing, incentive-based co-marketing funds, partner events and forums. Certified partners will also have support from Dell’s channel marketing team to help them direct their message to the right customers.

Josh Claman, vice president and general manager, Dell channels EMEA, said: “Since day one of PartnerDirect’s launch in Europe, we have been speaking to our partners about the tools they need to be successful in delivering Dell solutions – training and certification emerged as an important issue.

“Specifically, our partners asked us for a programme that would help them easily and flexibly acquire the skills to better address their customers’ needs. Based on their feedback, we have developed a simple, flexible and scalable certification framework that offers e-learning and online support, recognises and builds on our partners’ existing industry certifications and extends their business capability.”

Claman added: “Growing our community of partners in Europe is vital to our global growth. Empowering our partners with the skills to help their customers simplify IT is key to enabling this growth. We will continue to listen to our partners and strengthen PartnerDirect’s training and certification program.”

Certification paths for partners interested in developing in-depth enterprise architecture and SME expertise are also on offer, with managed services solutions expertise available later in the year.