NetApp eyes new partners in race for channel crown

Vendor uses Athens partner summit to unveil aggressive market share ambitions

Athenian ambition: NetApp intends to be the number one player in storage and data management in EMEA by 2012

Storage vendor NetApp says new partner acquisition is essential if it is to make good on its aim to be crowned the top player in storage and date management by 2012.

The vendor’s intention was outlined today by NetApp’s general manager EMEA, Andreas König, at the vendor’s European partner conference, Insight 2009, in Athens.

König said: “Our main objective is to be the number one player in storage and data management in EMEA by 2012. How we intend to achieve this is through acquiring new partners because we know we can only get there by working very closely with them.

“Eighty per cent of our business is done currently through the channel and I have no doubt that this figure will one day reach 100 per cent.”

König said NetApp would also achieve the lofty target by helping partners to successfully target mid-sized enterprises, which he said formed “a crucial component” of NetApp’s future plans.

Julie Parrish, vice president of global sales at NetApp, added: “The goal to be number one is a market share objective and with mid-sized enterprises what we want to do there is make sure our partners have the best tools, processes and competitive pricing in order to sell NetApp successfully to enable us to grow our market share.”