Looking to create deeper channel partner engagement, open-source technology vendor Red Hat has added a new partner level and solutions specializations to its channel partner program for solution providers.

Red Hat, known for its Linux implementation, has added Premier Business Partner level in addition to its existing Advanced and Ready classifications, the company says. In addition, Red Hat has added specializations in Infrastructure, Middleware and Virtualization.

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“The reseller business around Red Hat is growing rapidly because customers are demanding trusted open source solutions to carve costs out of their datacenters, which is why we've enhanced our Partner Program to provide a deeper level of partner engagement,” says Roger Egan, vice president of North American channel sales at Red Hat, in a prepared statement. “Additionally we've increased benefits and built in specializations which will help our partners grow their open source practice. All of this reinforces our commitment and investment to our channel ecosystem.”

Red Hat says the new Premier Business Partner level is intended to enable partners to deepen their strategic relationship with Red Hat through a number of sales-enablement and revenue-generating benefits such as sales training, lead distribution, demand-generation campaigns, market development funds, joint customer win promotions and technical support benefits.

As for the new technology specializations, Red Hat says they are designed to help partners sell total solution sets to customers. 

The Infrastructure Specialization is intended for partners who are experts in Red Hat Infrastructure solutions, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Platform, Red Hat Network Satellite, Red Hat Global File System, Red Hat Cluster Suite and Red Hat MRG. To hold this specialization, partners must maintain at least two Channel Sales Certified employees and one Red Hat Certified Technician.

The Middleware Specialization is for partners with proven middleware solution expertise on JBoss Enterprise Middleware solutions such as JBoss Enterprise Application Platform, JBoss BRMS, JBoss Operations Network, JBoss Developer Studio, JBoss SOA Platform and JBoss Data Services Platform. To hold this specialization, partners must have two Channel Middleware Sales Certified employees and one JBoss Administrator.

The Virtualization Specialization is for partners who are experts in Red Hat's virtualization offerings at both the sales and technical level. It requires partners to maintain two Channel Sales Certified employees and one Red Hat Certified Engineer with a focus on virtualization training.