M-Files Updates Global Partner Program as Demand Grows

M-Files is rolling out a series of enhancements to its global partner program to accelerate partner growth, strengthen customer support, and enhance collaboration with the company’s field sales organization.

Program updates expand incentives, enablement, and sales alignment

The updates, announced January 28, expand incentives, enablement resources, and go-to-market alignment for solution providers selling M-Files’ context-first document management system. 

The update comes as enterprise buyers increasingly prioritize document management platforms that surface information based on business context, compliance requirements, and automation readiness.

The program refresh is being led by Mike O’Neill, who joined M-Files in October 2025 as global vice president of channel and alliances. 

O’Neill previously held senior channel leadership roles at Box, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Dell Technologies, where he focused on building scalable, performance-driven partner ecosystems.

“Our partners are a critical component of the M-Files business,” O’Neill said. “We are investing across the board to provide unmatched resources, incentives, and support, empowering our partners to deliver transformative, context-first solutions.”

M-Files executives positioned the program changes as a response to rising demand for document management systems that can surface information based on business context rather than folder structures.

“As demand for context-enriched document management systems accelerates, partners are central to how we scale,” said Matt Marriott, chief revenue officer at M-Files. “Mike’s deep channel expertise and proven success building high-performing partner models ensures we are laying a strong foundation for long-term, partner-first growth.”

Expanded incentives and revenue opportunities drive success for mutual customers

One of the core updates to the partner program is an expanded incentive structure designed to increase partner profitability and deal velocity. M-Files said partners will gain access to new incentives, tiered benefits, and co-marketing opportunities tied to performance and engagement.

“We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years we’ve worked with M-Files. This feels different in a very exciting way,” Sandra Bembenek, CEO of M-Files partner Strickland Solutions, told us in an interview ahead of the launch.

Strickland Solutions has worked with M-Files for over a decade, and Bembenek says the program updates operationalize what her team has accomplished through individual relationships with sales teams at the company in years past.

The company did not disclose specific rebate or margin details but emphasized that the refreshed framework is built around measurable growth and mutual value creation rather than transactional volume alone.

“M-Files continues to raise the bar for partner-centric innovation. Their context-first document management system helps us solve complex information challenges at scale and provide even more value to our customers. The evolved partner framework gives us the strategic backing to grow confidently, and we look forward to accelerating our joint success in the year ahead,” said Bastiaan Brefeld, Information Management Specialist, GeONE | Amista, in a statement.

Deeper enablement and partner support

M-Files is also investing more heavily in enablement, with expanded training and certification programs to improve partner readiness and customer outcomes. 

The company said partners will receive access to advanced technical and sales training, as well as more dedicated support resources.

According to M-Files, the enhanced enablement structure is designed to shorten onboarding timelines, improve deployment success, and help partners differentiate their offerings in competitive markets for content and information management.

“What I look for in a program is how can I sell easier, how can I deliver easier, and how can I find new clients easier,” Bembenek said. “I live and breathe M-Files, really, and I want our customers to as well. This program helps me get to the value quicker for our clients.”

Closer alignment with M-Files field sales teams

Another focus of the refreshed program is tighter alignment between partners and M-Files’ field sales teams. The company plans to increase joint business planning efforts, expand engagement models, and coordinate go-to-market initiatives more closely across regions.

M-Files said this alignment is intended to reduce channel conflict while improving pipeline visibility and execution for partners working on larger or more complex deals.

Early access to product innovation

Partners enrolled in the updated program will also gain earlier access to new M-Files product features and solutions. The company said this will allow partners to stay ahead of customer needs related to compliance, operational efficiency, and information governance.

“What we’re really talking about with this program is collaborative growth, and everyone being able to work on the same page for our customers. It’s very exciting to me to see this program and feel like I’m closely aligned with a vendor like this,” said Bembenek.

The refreshed program is available globally and will roll out in phases across M-Files’ partner ecosystem in 2026.