Several changes are coming to you as a VMware Cloud Provider in 2020. These transitions include valuable enablement resources, a simplified partner program, and product availability updates. It’s a new decade, and it’s time to make important changes!
In this blog, we’ll take a look at what’s (quickly) coming up this quarter:
WIRE Training Transitions to VMware Learning Zone
On January 20th, VMware Learning Zone (VLZ) will replace WIRE as the single platform for digital training from VMware. VLZ, like WIRE, is also a self-paced learning platform where you can gain 24/7 access to VMware product and solution enablement. If you’re an avid user of WIRE or visit from time to time, don’t worry all our cloud provider training courses are migrating over! With this changeover however, you’ll need a MyLearn account to sign up for VLZ and maintain access to all the courses.
You can check out VLZ here and get the hang of the layout before WIRE is disabled.
New VMware Cloud Provider Program Commerce Portal
Starting February 9th, VMware is introducing the VCPP Commerce Portal specifically built for cloud providers as a replacement to the Business Portal. The Commerce Portal brings together contract management, monthly reporting, license ordering, vCloud Usage Insight, and VCPP operations support into one solution. This new portal goes live on February 9th for all VCPP partners and aggregators.
To get a feel for what to expect with the new Commerce Portal, check out the demo videos on YouTube. Keep an eye out for more information, videos, and documentation to come!
VMware Partner Connect – a Simpler Partner Program
A new holistic partner program called Partner Connect is launching on February 29, 2020. VMware redesigned the previous VMware Partner Network program to improve partner experience and streamline engagement. But in order to transact in this new program, all partners need to sign the new contract by February 29th.
You can familiarize yourself with the new Partner Connect program and be ready for the change by checking out the available resources here. Be sure to reach out to your VMware rep or the VMware Partner Connect team with any questions.
VCPP 5-Point Standard Bundle EOL
The 5-point Standard Bundle is approaching End of Life (EOL) in March of this year. Partners still reporting this SKU will be affected and should start preparing to transition to the 7-point Flex Core Bundle. By upgrading, cloud providers can embrace core cloud-building technologies and open up new revenue opportunities as soon as possible.
There are multiple resources to learn about and prepare yourself for the bundle transition:
- download the e-book,
- watch the vmLIVE on WIRE (while you still can!), or
- join a live webinar hosted on Wednesdays until March 25th at 9am EST or 2pm GMT
What should you do next?
With this in mind, it’s important to understand how these transitions may affect your business and which strategic IT priorities you want to invest in. We recommend working closely with your VMware rep to help you navigate these transitions and realize your business goals in 2020!
