HP’s annual overhaul of its channel program features enhancements for Elite partners who work with virtualization and data centers; improved demand generation resources; and special compensation opportunities for partners selling HP ProCurve networking products.

The enhancements become effective Nov. 1 and are intended to boost key focus areas for the computing giant, including networking and virtualization.

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Among the changes are four new Elite designations, which HP says reward partners for investments in key solution areas. They include the following:

• Virtualization Elite – Combines the benefits of the former HP BladeSystem Server and storage and virtualization solutions designations, while also including LeftHand Network products, back-end rebates, special pricing, market development funds and leads.
• Data Center Elite – Provides incremental rewards for partners who have invested in key areas of the HP Enterprise Business, previously known as the Technology Solutions Group, by holding Enterprise Storage, HP Services Sales and Virtualization Elite designations. Benefits include back-end rebates and Elite branding.
• Store Solutions Elite – Provides new growth opportunities and rewards partners with specific vertical expertise in point-of-sale, end-to-end solutions including hardware, software, service and support. Benefits include back-end rebates, demo units and Store Solutions Elite branding.
• HP Services Enhancements – This designation will start using something HP is calling the Services Penetration Rate Index (PRI) as the primary benefit metric for HP Services Elite and Growth Accelerator benefits. HP says partners will begin receiving services PRI benefits in May 2010.

In addition, HP will add three new options to its Marketing Subsidy Center.

HP Solutions Showcase is an online marketing tool to help partners publish product information to their Websites, and provides automatic updates to that information without any additional work required by the partner.

HP Event Designer helps partners plan and execute face-to-face customer events and Webinars. The Web resource lets partners customize event materials on topics such as data protection, security, mobility, virtualization and change management.

HP Enterprise Server and Storage Training Passes give partners marketing subsidies to offset the cost of sales and technical training courses required for authorization and Elite designations. They can be redeemed for any ESS fee-based coursework offered through The Learning Center.

HP is extending its Growth Accelerator rebate to reward partners for year-over-year sales growth in areas such as ProCurve Networking, Enterprise Servers and Storage, and HP Enterprise Services.