Oracle unveils new Oracle PartnerNetwork Specialized Program

Built on the foundation of Oracle Enablement 2.0 training and support, the OPN Specialized program will enable partners to establish industry recognition by following a formal process to become specialized in key Oracle solution areas. This allows partners to expand customer sales by differentiating themselves in the solutions and services they offer.

Partners achieve Specialization in specific areas through competency, business results, expertise and proven success.

Specialization delivers three important benefits:

- Enables partners to differentiate themselves by becoming Specialized across Oracle's portfolio of products,
- Allows Oracle to recognize partners that have invested in the Oracle portfolio and have the competency to support joint customers, and
- Provides customers with the ability to select preferred partners with validated skills and experience to provide the best solutions to business problems.
- OPN Specialized will feature four partner levels: Oracle Remarketer, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

As partners leverage Oracle Enablement 2.0 training resources, they can attain specialized status across an initial list of more than 35 different Oracle application, middleware, database or industry solution areas. Oracle intends to offer over 50 specializations by the end of the fiscal year.

OPN Specialized will also deliver new tools to aid partners, including a new partner ordering portal, an improved enablement environment for training, a new marketing events calendar, and an enhanced Solutions Catalog.

The OPN Specialized structure will become effective December 1, allowing time for partners to learn about the new program and prepare for the transition. Training is available for all partners on the OPN portal. Partners who migrate early to the new OPN Specialized program will receive discounted membership fees.

In addition to the new partner levels and specializations, Oracle has made enhancements across the Oracle PartnerNetwork portal, enabling partners to easily access critical information and resources, while better connecting and communicating with Oracle and its 21,000 strong global partner community.

Supporting Partner Growth and Sales through Specialization

- Customers today are looking to team with Oracle partners that can deliver deep Oracle product knowledge, implementation and support services, and complementary applications and technology.
- The four new levels in Oracle OPN are designed to equip partners with the right level of information and expertise needed to better sell, develop with, or implement Oracle technology.

The new levels include:

- Remarketer: The entry level to Oracle OPN Specialized is Oracle's successful VAD Remarketer program. Through Oracle's VADs, partners can resell Oracle 1-CLICK products with no contract or fees yet access to online training and sales tools.
- Silver: The Silver level also focuses on the 1-CLICK products and has a wealth of Oracle engaged benefits including access to the Oracle Partner Business Center, Support, enhanced educational offerings and development licenses to increase competitive positioning and profitability with midsize businesses.
- Gold: Gold partners will receive access and resell rights to the full Oracle Technology portfolio and also allows partners to apply for Applications. At this level partners can start building competency and business credentials to become Specialized.
- Platinum: At this new elite level of OPN Specialized, partners receive the highest engagement, commitment and benefits by showcasing the depth and breadth of the Partner's expertise in five or more specializations of Oracle solutions.

Specialized partners also receive a wealth of additional benefits, including tailored logos around each attained specialization, placement on Oracle.com thought the Solutions Catalog, additional free assessment and exam vouchers, free support requests, demonstration solution services and access to implementation methodologies.

Partner-Centric Business Portal Delivers Additional Opportunities to Learn, Connect and Grow

The enriched Oracle PartnerNetwork portal delivers a partner-centric business activity center with expanded educational sessions, tools, social networking opportunities, and increased collaboration across Oracle's global partner ecosystem.

To support the new program levels, the Oracle PartnerNetwork portal will feature new Guided Learning Paths to help partners determine which Competency Center and Boot Camp courses to take to become Specialized.

Expanded Knowledge Zone resources will also be made available, offering partners critical business tools and information, based on their partner level.

"Oracle PartnerNetwork Specialized was developed in close coordination with our valued partner community and to better serve all of our constituents. This is the most significant upgrade to the OPN program in nearly ten years and was built with the needs of our growing partner community in mind,"

said Judson Althoff, Oracle Senior Vice President of Worldwide Alliances and Channels.

"As we have added significantly to our portfolio of products, our partner base has grown, and many of those partners are looking to expand their base of knowledge and opportunity with Oracle. This new OPN program allows partners who invest with us to formally certify specializations to differentiate themselves and their offerings, be recognized for their expertise, and become preferred solution providers to Oracle customers."