Juniper Networks Expands Its Partner Program

Juniper Networks has lofty aspirations for its Partner Advantage program. The networking solutions giant has announced the Juniper Partner Advantage Cloud, an expansion of its existing program aimed at a variety of cloud computing partners.

The new program offers cloud-enabled programming, technologies, service and support to help partners deliver cloud architecture and services to their customers. It is geared toward cloud infrastructure and services partners as well as systems integrators, and is available as a specialization for the company’s qualified Juniper Networks Elite partners.

What does this mean for partners? Basically, Juniper has acknowledged the major role of its software-defined network (SDN) technologies like the Contrail solution in creating advanced cloud solutions. The new program provides specific training so service and infrastructure providers can feel confident incorporating the company’s offerings.

The SDN market is big business, and a recent report from Transparency Market Research predicts it could reach $3.52 billion by 2018. That’s a CAGR growth of 61.5 percent from 2012. TechNavio has loftier expectations for the market, putting the CAGR at 151.12 percent from 2012 to 2016. Whatever the shakeout for SDN, it’s a given that cloud-based infrastructure and the increasing demand for cloud services plays a huge role in market growth.

In fact, cloud service providers are expected to be the fastest growing end user segment in the coming years, making them ideal partners for companies like Juniper, along with Cisco, HP and IBM.

For the purposes of the new program, Juniper is dividing its cloud partners into three categories. Cloud System Integrator (CSI) describes partners with SDN, network and advanced security authorizations who can implement and delivery fully customized cloud system solutions. Cloud Services Partners (CSP) are those who sell and provision cloud-based or managed services based on Juniper’s infrastructure. Cloud Infrastructure Partners (CIP) are those with an SDN authorization to deliver cloud solutions based on the company’s infrastructure offerings, including the Contrail SDN offering.