The Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program is the start of the VMware journey for software and hardware vendors. This program enables hardware and software vendors with the tools and resources they need to build and deliver their solutions on VMware infrastructure. Partners can develop, test, integrate, certify/validate and package products with VMware products and services and then publish their joint solutions on the VMware Marketplace to our shared customers.
In this article, we will lead you through the TAP Partner Journey so that you can better understand and get the most out of the program. We will help uncover all the benefits and resources available, how to access them, and how our team can best support you during the journey. We have simplified the VMware TAP Partner Journey into 4 steps:
1. Enroll in the Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) Program
The first step in the TAP journey is submitting your application to join the VMware TAP Program. Next, select a primary VMware solution area (you can enroll in more solution areas later.) The TAP Program enables partners to align with VMware based on areas of solution integration to receive tailored benefits to accelerate technical solutioning and go-to-market. The VMware Solution areas are Multi-Cloud, Virtual Cloud Network, App Modernization, Intrinsic Security, and Anywhere Workspace.
All TAP partners start at the Standard tier and may have the opportunity to be invited to the Advanced tier based on synergistic alignment with a VMware Business Unit (BU) relevant to that Solution Area. The Strategic tier is currently closed. To achieve any tier, a partner needs to meet the requirements in at least one of the five VMware Solution Areas.
If you have any questions about onboarding, payment, account info, or general TAP questions, please contact [email protected]
2. Build Better Solutions
TAP Partners have access to a wide range of resources to support technical solutions development with VMware including NFR software and services licenses, access to public APIs via SDK’s and toolkits, beta program testing and more. The TAP Program also provides marketing support for solutions such as solution briefs, press releases, webinars, and more.
If you are a current TAP partner and want to see which benefits are available to you, you can visit your Partner Dashboard in the Technology Partner Hub. For technical questions, including product certification programs, submitting support requests to Global Support Services, and NFR software licensing please contact [email protected]. For TAP marketing resources such as press release templates and solution brief information, contact [email protected].
3. Acquire Certification and Validation
The next step in the TAP Partner Journey is to develop or test the interoperability of your products with VMware technologies through programs such as VMware Ready (for certification) and Partner Ready (for validation).
Becoming VMware Ready designates VMware’s highest level of endorsement for products created by VMware established partners. VMware Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) members develop their products to meet VMware standards and submit them for qualification testing or self-test review, depending on the category. Products that meet VMware Ready requirements will display the VMware Ready Logo for the program in which they are certified. These products are jointly supported by both the partner and VMware.
VMware Partner Ready is a new validation opportunity for members of the Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) Program that allows partner to verify their solutions on designated VMware platforms. Partner Ready allows partners to test and validate their solutions that interoperate with specific VMware platforms. By completing the Partner Ready process and achieving the Partner Ready logo, partners verify their products interoperability with VMware, and agree to solely manage customer support requests for the joint solution. Customers deploying these solutions can do so with the knowledge and reassurance that the partner fully supports the specified versions and configurations on VMware.
4. Join the VMware Marketplace
Finally, TAP Partners can take advantage of our one-stop shop for VMware-validated, certified, and compatible ecosystem solutions. VMware Marketplace™ enables customers to discover, try, purchase, and deploy directly to VMware endpoints. You can access the VMware customer base, generate leads and sales, and drive new revenue by publishing your solutions that are interoperable with VMware technologies on VMware Marketplace. Visit the VMware Marketplace.
Be sure to check out our Guide to the Marketplace blog series. Here we provide resources for you to learn all thinks VMware Marketplace. If you have specific VMware Marketplace questions, please reach out to [email protected].
See below for a visual representation of the VMware TAP Partner Journey:
We are honored to walk alongside our TAP partners in this ongoing journey to help achieve long-term success. For more in depth information about the TAP Program, visit the Technology Partner Hub or view the TAP Program Guide. Also, be sure to stay up to date on the latest from VMware by engaging with the TAP team via Twitter, our TAP Newsletter, and our blog.
