The new IBM Partner Plus program, formerly known as IBM PartnerWorld, is reimagining how IBM interacts with its business partners. According to IBM, it’s giving their partners unparalleled access to IBM resources, rewards, and specialized assistance to help them advance their technical knowledge and shorten the time to market.
By giving IBM partners expanded control over their earning potential, the initiative is intended to spur development for both new and current partners, including resellers, hyperscalers, technology providers, independent software developers, and systems integrators. IBM Partner Plus is central to IBM’s hybrid cloud and AI strategy and aims to empower partners to help clients automate, secure, and modernize their businesses.
IBM Partner Plus program participants may advance to three tiers – Silver, Gold, and Platinum – which unlock specific financial, go-to-market assistance, and education benefits – by developing their technical competence and showcasing sales performance.
In the new program, badging will become the standardized measure of skills and validated solutions will demonstrate expertise. The enhanced IBM Partner Portal would consolidate and track all expertise, revenue, and deals globally, offering each IBM partner “a clear line-of-site into their progression through the partner program.’
“IBM Partner Plus introduces a new way for IBM to deliver value to new and existing partners by helping them gain skills, grow faster and earn more,” said Kate Woolley, General Manager for IBM Ecosystem. “We’ve heard from partners that they want a simplified experience that helps them win with clients. I’m confident these changes and our continued investment in our ecosystem will make IBM the partner of choice across the industry, and together we can drive growth for partners, clients, and IBM.”
Integrating All Partner Types and Programs
IBM Partner Plus unifies all partner types and programs into a single, integrated ecosystem, regardless of whether they sell, develop or use IBM technology, or offer services. For instance, IBM recently gave its partners in North America the ability to resell IBM products through other cloud marketplaces in an effort to extend the market opportunity and generate new income streams for its ecosystem.
Independent software suppliers (ISVs) are now able to include IBM Software from partner markets into their own products. All sales made by partners through the marketplace would contribute to their advancement in IBM Partner Plus.
IBM will double the amount of brand and technical professionals working directly with partners to support their continuing development by assisting partners in prospecting and acquiring new client business.
Badging will replace grades as the accepted criterion for measuring abilities in the new program, and authenticated answers will show proficiency. With the improved IBM Partner Portal, each partner has a clear view of their progress in the program as it gathers and monitors all knowledge, revenue, and deals globally.
Proofs of Concept, Customized Demos
Through tier advancement, IBM partners can have access to advantages and demand creation initiatives that could boost their overall IBM investment by up to three times. The IBM Partner Portal contains an automatic deal sharing engine that would enable IBM partners to find “high-quality leads” while providing them with real-time visibility into the incentives for which they are qualified. IBM’s efforts in joint marketing initiatives and co-sell support with partners may also aid in the commercialization of products and the creation of demand.
By utilizing technical specialists from IBM, partners can enhance their abilities, create solutions, and increase their sales knowledge with technologies like AI, security, and cloud on an open hybrid cloud platform. In order to help partners gain client business and drive growth, IBM will also support them in the creation of proofs of concept, customized demos, and minimum viable products. Additionally, when partner companies grow along with IBM, they may access new advantages made to aid in their capacity expansion and customer acquisition.
