COVID-19 has affected the business operations of partners around the world, but many vendors are stepping in to ease the disruption by making changes to their partner programs. Here’s a list of all the changes seen so far this year.
Here’s what Palo Alto Networks is doing for partners amid the pandemic
Cyber security solutions provider Palo Alto Networks has joined the growing ranks of tech vendors working to introduce initiatives aimed at helping partners weather the disruptions caused by the ongoing pandemic.
Among the actions taken by the vendor is an initiative to help partners extend certifications to ensure they stay current to current technology advancements, despite the disruptions in the industry.
Specifically, if an individual has a technical certification with an expiration date between 1 March 2020, and 31 July 2020, Palo Alto Networks will automatically extend the certification expiration dates by six months.
The company has also moved to create so-called virtual labs, aimed at giving partners the ability to show customers real attack scenarios while working remotely.
More details can be found here.
HPE rethinks partner pandemic aid in A/NZ
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has previously announced a number of assistance relief to partners and distributors to combat the cash flow crises faced by many partners, but the majority of these excluded the Asia Pacific market.
However, the vendor appears to have had a rethink and now will offer more financial support locally, including an early settlement Incentive to distributors and so-called ‘corporate’ resellers.
In addition, its US$2 billion global stimulus package, the HPE Financial Services (HPEFS), will now offer A/NZ partners payment relief program, following them to defer 90 per cent of their costs until 2021.
More details can be found here.
Acronis discounts licence fees in partner program refresh
Cyber security vendor Acronis has become the latest vendor to offer financial relief to partners amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The Singapore-founded vendor is offering its Acronis Cyber Files Cloud for free to partners in Asia Pacific, alongside increased marketing funds and resources.
These include helping partners set up and join virtual events using its platforms, while “enriching” its campaigns-in-a-box.
Acronis has also enhanced its Partner Portal, in an effort to ease access to sales guides, licensing guides, case studies and learning academy.
More details can be found here.
HPE rolls out partner pandemic relief — but A/NZ excluded from lion’s share
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has unveiled new financial relief measures to help partners cope with the coronavirus crisis, but appears to have excluded Asia Pacific from the majority of these.
The vendor said it will suspend revenue thresholds for HPE Partner Ready Program and the Aruba Partner Ready for Networking Program in Australia and New Zealand.
However, other measures such as extending payment terms from 60 to 90 days for those in certain factoring programs will only be open to North American and European partners.
More details can be found here.
UPDATE - 30/4/2020 - HPE has had a change of heart about offering certain COVID-19 financial relief to the Australia and New Zealand channel. More details can be found here.
Nutanix offers COVID-19 financial aid to partners
Nutanix has revealed a new financial program aimed at supporting its partners throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Referred to as the Nutanix Special Financial Assistance Program (NSFAP), participating partners will be allowed extended payment terms as well as other relief options.
Specifically, authorised reseller partners will gain extended payment terms, which they are expected to pass onto their customers.
More details can be found here.
Read more on the next page...
