HDS sets partners on the route to specialisation

Storage vendor revamps partner programme with new specialisations, marketing and technical resources

Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) has revamped its channel programme to give partners a chance to acquire services accreditations on its products.

VARs signed up to the storage vendor's TrueNorth channel programme now have the opportunity to acquire services specialisations in several areas, including virtualisation, storage migration and application deployments.

In a blog post on the HDS web site, the firm's vice president Hubert Yoshida hinted that the introduction of the services specialisation programme would set it apart from its competitors.

"I have heard numerous stories where other vendors have not only neglected the partner role in service delivery, but actually have taken steps to remove them out of such deals all together," the blog post states.

"It is a competitive and intense market out there, [and] we need to do everything we can to allow them to participate in it with diversity, agility and expertise."

Hicham Abdessamad, senior vice president of global services at HDS, said the specialisations would provide partners with more services-led revenue opportunities.

"Adding specific specialisations gives our partners greater levels of flexibility to offer custom and advanced services that will significantly expand their trusted adviser status with customers," he added.

The vendor has also ramped up the amount of training, technical support and marketing resources that are made available to partners through the programme.

Mike Walkey, senior vice president of global partners and alliances at HDS, explained: "The enhancements made to the partner programme demonstrate our continued investment and commitment to enabling the success of our partners by expanding their market reach and profitability potential."