Citrix Systems, the global leader in application delivery infrastructure, extended its popular Citrix Advisor Rewards programme to pay channel partners on sales of Citrix XenServer software that ships as an embedded feature in servers from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like HP.
The programme, originally introduced in 2004, pays Citrix Solution Advisors for designing and delivering solutions based on Citrix application delivery products, even if a different channel partner ultimately fulfils the order.
Extending the programme to include embedded versions of XenServer eliminates any potential channel conflict with OEM partners and ensures strong incentives across the board by compensating partners that influence embedded XenServer deals as well as those who fulfil them.
"With this new OEM element, Citrix has once again set the standard in partner profitability with its Citrix Advisor Rewards programme," stated Scott Gorcester, President, Moose Logic, a leading Seattle-based IT services firm. "I am free to focus on being a trusted advisor to my customers without worrying about profitability. Citrix has once again proved to me and to the industry that it understands how to best leverage their partners to meet customer needs. The channel is clearly part of its DNA."
Citrix has announced several OEM agreements in recent months to embed XenServer in servers from leading systems vendors such as HP. As a result of this announcement, the Citrix Advisor Rewards programme now pays channel partners on sales of these products, effectively eliminating potential channel conflict and focusing the extensive expertise of Citrix Solution Advisors on delivering the best possible solutions to customers. With OEM products now included in the rewards programme, systems manufacturers that embed Citrix technology can leverage an extensive pool of channel resources and expertise to address their customers' ever-changing needs.
"We continually work with our partners to build the most profitable partner programme and the most skilled partner community," stated Al Monserrat, VP Channels, Strategy & Sales Operations for Citrix. "As a channel-centric company, we recognise the value our partners bring to a total solution, including the specification of hardware that includes embedded Citrix products."
In March 2008, Citrix and HP announced the availability of the integrated server virtualisation solutions Citrix XenServer HP Enterprise and HP Select Editions. The new products feature a unique and exclusive easy-to-use graphical management console and are seamlessly integrated with HP Insight Control management software that administers HP ProLiant and BladeSystem servers. With this new solution, customers are able to deploy and manage a virtualised environment and benefit from the ability to purchase an entire server virtualisation solution from HP with the added benefit of interoperability and HP support.
"Customers want to implement virtualisation with reduced risk, and HP understands that the channel is essential to meeting those requirements," said Scott Farrand, vice-president, Industry Standard Server Software, HP. "Citrix's new channel programme enables partners to offer a comprehensive virtualisation solution that integrates the power of HP ProLiant servers with the rich functionality of the Citrix XenServer HP Select Edition from a single, reliable source."
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