Citrix (NASDAQ:CTXS) has added a new level to its Citrix Solution Advisor Programme especially for new SMB partners.
The vendor says the Citrix Solution Advisor (CSA) SMB Specialist Programme will equip partners with specific skills, products and incentives to capitalise on the growth of virtualisation within SMBs.
“The four months between the introduction of the SMB Specialist Programme at Synergy Barcelona last October and today’s announcement supplied us with the proper time to refine the details and develop a complete package that we are proud to offer the VAR community,” explains Tom Flink, VP, worldwide channel and market development at Citrix (pictured).
“This programme lays out a cohesive collection of services, marketing and sales tools and training discretely designed for service providers going after an exciting new market opportunity. We feel this offering meets the high standard of our other programmes and solidifies our commitment to new and existing Citrix partners.”
To be eligible for the programme, SMB Specialists are required to pay an annual $300 membership fee and need to become certified in order to sell Citrix VDI-in-a-Box. Certifications are also required to be eligible for benefits like Advisor Rewards, leads and a listing on the Citrix Partner Locator. However, they do not have to meet a minimum annual sales goal or certification requirements to remain in the programme.
“For a solutions provider selling to a subset of customers relatively new to the world of desktop virtualisation, it is crucial that their sales teams be knowledgeable about the needs and pain points associated with the SMB space,” says Siaron van Wetten, director, channel marketing & programs EMEA.
“Once certified, CSA SMB specialists will have the skills and knowledge needed to help their customers navigate successfully through the early steps of a virtualisation implementation.”
SMB Specialists will also be able to evolve to higher partner levels (Silver, Gold, Platinum) within the Citrix Solution Advisor programme.
The vendor says SMB Specialists can earn up to a ten percent reward payment for registered deals they close via Citrix Advisor Rewards. They are also eligible for SMB sales leads, partner preferred pricing on Citrix training, discounts on demo hardware and free access to demo software of most of Citrix products.
