The Milpitas, Calif., company launched the program on April 12, following what the storage vendor said was a complete refresh of the entire Snap Server product line, from compact desktop models that start at 160GB capacity designed for remote offices to SMB (small to midsize business) enterprise solutions that scale to 66TB and include software to protect, replicate, move and manage data.

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Called PartnerConnect, the new program is designed to deliver value and incremental revenue opportunities for VARs, solution providers and direct marketers, according to Adaptec. Other program features include pre-sales support and Web-based training for partners.

Adaptec said the new program includes access to a secure partner portal for deal registration; allocation of well-qualified leads from Adaptec-sponsored lead generation activities; dedicated inside sales and field sales reps to support quotes, configurations, joint sales calls and events; assigned sales and system engineers plus Web-based training; and marketing materials that include Web banners, e-mail blasts, Web pages and print ads.

"By combining value-add products, deal registration, product training and a focused sales team, our new partner program makes our channel partners more competitive," said John Noellert, vice president of channel sales for the Americas at Adaptec, in a statement.

"One of [the] biggest complaints [of resellers, solution providers and other channel partners] is the level of complexity that many vendors, especially in the storage market, have brought to their partner programs," said Janet Waxman, vice president of hardware channels and alliances at IDC, in a statement. "I am pleased to see Adaptec buck this trend with the introduction of a 'back-to-basics' partner program that makes it easy for the channel to participate in a mutually beneficial business relationship."