Veeam boosts deal reg in EMEA channel scheme spruce-up

Virtualisation also brings in compulsory new engineering badge for high-level partners

Veeam Software has added a clutch of new features to its EMEA partner programme, including an expansion of its deal registration scheme.

The virtualisation specialist has boosted its ProPartner channel scheme by introducing "higher differentiation" for Silver, Gold, and Platinum partners registering opportunities with new customers. VARs will also enjoy increased rewards for selling the vendor's Backup & Replication Enterprise Plus product.

Also added to the EMEA channel programme is the new Veeam Certified Engineer (VMCE) badge, which is available to both end-user and partner staff. Classroom-based training will be offered by certified providers across the region, with Gold and Platinum partners required to obtain the badge and Silver partners "highly recommended" to do so. Veeam claims the new certification will help increase resellers' professional services capabilities, allowing them to deliver better returns on investment for customers, and improved service-level agreements.

The vendor also claims it intends to add to its Alliances Programme this year. The scheme already gives partners the chance to offer joint offerings from Veeam and VMware, Microsoft, and HP, and Cisco has now been added into the mix. The virtualisation firm indicated that "additional global alliances [will] be announced in 2014".

Another priority this year will be the Veeam Cloud Provider (VCP) programme, through which the vendor claims rental business grew almost fourfold last year. The VCP scheme will be a "continued key focus for Veeam in 2014".

Gilles Pommier, vice president of EMEA channel at Veeam, said: "Veeam has a channel-based business model and we recognise that the success of our ProPartners has a direct impact on our overall success. The new enhancements and updates to our ProPartner Programme in EMEA will create a more empowered and enabled channel community."