Oracle OpenWorld: Oracle aims to sign up more cloud partners

Oracle has launched a new cloud programme as part of its Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) to help the channel fully take advantage of its integrated cloud products, platforms and services.

Speaking at this week’s Oracle OpenWorld event, Shawn Price, senior vice president of cloud, Oracle, said: “Cloud is our top priority and we are aligning our resources to that strategic initiative. We will work with our partner ecosystem to pivot to the cloud and fully capitalise on this historic opportunity.”

He said the company was committed to “expanding its partner community” and providing it with the tools to service joint customers.

Last week, Dell and Microsoft announced a joined hybrid cloud initiative, and EMC and VMware also said they would focus squarely on joint hybrid cloud business. Both announcements focused on involving more partners.

The new OPN initiative will come into force next February, said Oracle. In addition, Oracle announced a new entry point to its OPN for potential partners called the Oracle Registered Level, requiring no initial investment.

New cloud partners are being encouraged to join this level from now until 31 May, to take advantage of key benefits with no membership fee.

Under this level, partners will be able to resell Oracle Cloud Platform solutions – including platform-as-a-service and infrastructure-as-a-service solutions – and they will have access to the OPN Cloud Business Builder tool for sales, marketing and technical training and resources.

@AntonySavvas