Brocade Alliance Partner Network (APN)

The Brocade company announced in 2011 new considerable improvements of the Brocade Alliance Partner Network (APN) program and offers in the field of training (Global Education) which should help trading partners to use possibilities of technologies on the basis of Ethernet-factory. These investments into a partner network include new specialization of Virtualized Fabric Partner and certification of Brocade Certified Ethernet Fabric Engineer (BCEFE) which were developed for support of partners in promotion of technologies of Ethernet-factory, including the Brocade VDX™ 6720 Data Center Switch switch mentioned by industry awards.

Specialization of Virtualized Fabric is a new status for the partners having profound knowledge in design, implementation and service of architecture of Ethernet-factory. For receiving such specialization partners should meet to a specific set of requirements, one of which – existence in staff of specialists with certification of BCEFE. As well as in a case with other specializations of Brocade, the program provides to partners several advantages – from pre-sale support before access to laboratories for verification of pilot versions of the unrolled solutions. And it is possible to purchase new specializations gradually now, earning additional discounts and rewards. Resellers of the Elite level also have an opportunity to use these specializations for participation in the Brocade Value Incentive Program (VIP) programs. The last represent programs about this "payment for result": their structure is expected remuneration and encouragement of the partners investing in expansion of examination and deepening of experience of the personnel.

Understanding that design and deployment of networks based on Ethernet-factories require special skills, the Brocade company developed also certification of BCEFE. It is intended for the partners wishing to select the company in competitive market. The partners receiving certification of BCEFE will be able to use a training and training in a broad spectrum in those, concerning Ethernet-factory, including on the theory and concepts of this technology, to the equipment and means of Brocade VDX, installation, setup of a configuration, management and diagnostics of these products. This new certification open for all partners of Brocade and end users, – the integral requirement to everyone who is interested in partner specialization of Virtualized Fabric Partner. Brocade continues to invest in training of trading partners around the world to give them an opportunity of training of specialists of the international level, certification and accreditation. That is more complete to support the partners who are gradually deepening the of knowledge in network area, the Brocade company also re-structured the offers in the field of Global Education training. The company expanded a range of rates and training programs which will help partners to improve quicker the knowledge in the field of convergence, virtualization and 'cloud' technologies. In the educational classes Brocade Global Education the principles of open standards are observed, the high level of flexibility and the raznoaspektnost of preparation unavailable on courses of other suppliers of network equipment is provided.

The growing interest in private corporate 'cloud' environments as to the most important component of business optimization emphasizes importance of function of delivery of applications (Application Delivery) which is used for effective management and support of a data transmission traffic. For partners who showed high professionalism in technologies of balancing of loading of applications and traffic managements Brocade added specialization of Application Delivery Partner. It means more serious level of examination in this area and, similar to specialization of Virtualized Fabric Partner, is already available to receiving.

The Brocade APN program includes four partner levels: Distributor, Elite, Premier and Select. All of them provide specific requirements and advantages which will help partners to use the knowledge of network products and solutions, examination in the field of their support and to receive return from this knowledge.

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