Dell tweaks Premier Partner spec

Vendor claims the move is to reward the efforts of its top performing partners

Dell has rejigged the top tier of its PartnerDirect programme to ensure its top performing partners continue to stand out from the crowd.

Back in May 2011, the vendor introduced the Premier and Preferred Partner levels to its channel programme - its first major change to the scheme since it launched in 2008.

The levels were to distinguish partners that had become certified in one or more tracks and that had achieved ‘significant' growth. However as the programme has matured further, the vendor has now adjusted the Premier Partner tier, it says, to reflect the level of commitment, investment and business growth by its top tier of partners.

This means the Enterprise revenue requirement has been altered to "continue to reflect" the elite status of the Premier tier, and to reward the partners that demonstrate the highest level of commitment, Dell claimed.

Under the changes, existing partners that have achieved Premier Partner status before 6 June 2012 will retain the status and benefits until 31 January 2013.

On 4 February 2013, partners that wish to retain the Premier Partner status will need to meet new thresholds to stay in the tier.

From 6 June 2012, new partners aiming to become Premier Partners will need to have $1.5m (in the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands) or $750,000 (rest of Europe) sales of Dell Enterprise products during the previous four rolling quarters.

Enterprise products include Dell EqualLogic, PowerVault, PowerConnect, PowerEdge, KACE, Compellent, Force10 and AppAssure.

Kathy Schneider (pictured), executive director of channel marketing and programmes Europe at Dell, said: "The adjustment of our Premier Partner tier is designed to keep this top level as an exclusive group of those who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment and capability to Dell. This forms part of our continuous evolution of the PartnerDirect programme and is based on partner feedback.

"The Premier tier recognises excellence and expertise, and Partners who wish to stay in the Premier tier have over six months' notice of the change in thresholds so we hope as many of them as possible will continue to be Premier Partners," she said.

Preferred and Registered level requirements will stay the same, Dell said.