Whether you’re a current TAP Partner and you aren’t sure how to access program benefits, a new partner that is not sure where to start your VMware journey, or if you are just hearing about the TAP program for the first time and want to learn more, this blog is for you. 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 also help uncover all the benefits and resources available, how to access them, and how our team can best support you during the journey.
The Technology Alliance Partner program is the start of the VMware journey for software and hardware vendors. This program enables partners with the tools and resources 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.
We have simplified the VMware TAP Partner Journey into 4 steps:
STEP 1: Enroll in the Technology Alliance Partner program
The first step is to enroll in the TAP Program. Partners will complete the onboarding process and be asked to choose a solution area to enroll in.
VMware’s five solution areas represent the way VMware develops and goes to market with our products to achieve business goals. The TAP Program enables partners to align with VMware based on areas of solution integration in order to receive tailored benefits to accelerate technical solutioning and go-to-market.
Next, partners will be placed in a partnership tier. TAP has three partnership tiers: Standard, Advanced, and Strategic. All partners will begin at the Standard tier and may be invited to participate at the Advanced Tier. Admission to the Advanced tier is determined by the relevant VMware Business Unit and it’s based on a variety of factors, including market/joint customer demand, the unique opportunities that partner and VMware product combinations unlock, and available BU resources. The Strategic tier requires executive sponsorship, is highly customized per partner, and is currently closed to new members.
STEP 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
•Access to Certification/Validation Programs
•Discounts to a variety of training programs
To learn more and explore all TAP benefits visit the Technology Partner Hub Benefits Page.
STEP 3: Acquire Certification or 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 and Partner Ready.
Partners have the opportunity to validate and test their solutions and achieve recognition through Partner Ready and/or VMware Ready Certification/Validation Programs. To learn more about certification and validation, visit this page.
STEP 4: Go-to-Market Together
The TAP program offers a variety of marketing benefits to help increase solution awareness and increase sales. We offer press release templates, VMware logos, TAP Partner badges, and listing on the VMware Marketplace. Advanced partners receive even more customized marketing benefits such as joint blogs, webinars, joint solution briefs, technical whitepaper support, and more. To learn more about these benefits visit this page.
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. 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.
