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Dell Plans VAR Specialization Program
DATE: 2008-07-01
By Jessica Davis
Dell is creating specializations such as storage/server and virtualization within its new Enterprise Architecture certification. Ultimately Dell wants to create a partner specialist resource locater database to enable customers to search for certified Dell partner experts in specific specializations.
Dell is creating a series of specializations within its partner enterprise architecture certification and will start by launching two – one for Storage and Server and another for Virtualization.
And over the next year and a half Dell expects to also add specializations covering Power and Cooling/Green IT and Security.
The changes come as Dell looks to better organize and segment its huge enterprise architecture certification.
"As you think about all those technologies that fall into enterprise architecture – storage, server, virtualization, power and cooling, security – that's a huge umbrella," says Bob Skelley who runs Enterprise Architecture for Dell's channel organization and who used to serve as Equallogic's channel chief. Skelley joined Dell when it acquired the storage vendor last year.
The certification specialization vision includes plans to eventually create a partner locator resource database so that customers and channel partners both can search for partners that hold a specific certification. That resource will also enable partner-to-partner networking. No roll out date has been set for the resource locator database, as Dell is still investigating how long it will take to create it.
But courses for the first specialization of Storage and Server are alrea ...