EMC Enhances Velocity2 Partner Program for EMEA

EMC
Corporation announced significant enhancements to the EMC Velocity² Partner Program
for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The introduction of Partner
Specialties in five solution areas – Consolidation, Backup, Archive,
Security and Content – will help EMC Partners differentiate their
business model and bring additional value to customers by enabling
Partners to deliver complete end-to-end solutions combining hardware,
software and services skills.

The existing
EMC Authorized Services Network (ASN) Partner Program, enabling EMC’s
Partners to deliver both implementation and support services will be
combined within the EMC Velocity² Partner Program enabling EMC
Velocity² Signature, Premier and Value-Add Distributor Partners to
select one or more Specialties to compliment their business strategy.
Specialty certifications will be grouped around a set of product,
software and services relevant to each solution.

Partners
will receive an advanced set of benefits associated with their
Specialty area and the Specialty logo displayed by Partners, will allow
customers to clearly identify the best ‘go-to’ Partner in their region
for their selected solution requirement.

“As
our mid-market customers become more and more sophisticated they are
looking for Partners that can deliver an entire solution. The Specialty
areas being introduced into the Velocity² Partner Program will ensure
that our Partners are qualified to offer a true solution based on the
customer’s needs. The additional services skills set will allow the
Partner to own the customer relationship from the initial sale, through
to implementation and ongoing support.” commented Willem Hendrickx,
EMEA Vice President Channel and Mid-Market

The
Consolidation, Backup, and Archive Specialties will be introduced into
the EMC Velocity² Partner Program on 1 July 2008 with the Security and
Content Specialties following in Q1 2009. Each Velocity² Signature,
Premier and Value-Add Distributor Partner will be asked to choose one
Specialty area as a minimum requirement. Partners may begin
preparations for compliancy immediately.

In
addition to the Specialty areas for EMC Velocity Signature, Premier and
Value-Add Distribution Partners – other enhancements being introduced
to the EMC Velocity² Partner Program in EMEA include: further
streamlining and optimization of EMC’s Distribution strategy and
Partner-driven solutions within the EMC Velocity² Solution Center model.

EMC UK