Your customers consider leveraging Reference Architectures to gain the flexibility to pick and choose the best of breed components. However, in doing so, they give up the simplicity of the solution. EMC is delivering proven infrastructures that deliver the benefit of ease of deployment while maintaining choice for customers. VSPEX is Reference Architectures for cloud computing. They’re simple, efficient, flexible, and pre-validated. VSPEX takes time and cost out of deploying data center infrastructure while increasing service levels through their proven performance. How can I become VSPEX eligible? Your distributor can nominate you to the program; your application will then go through the verification process. Once approved, and you have agreed to the program’s terms and conditions, you will be enabled. Enablement involves training which, once complete, entitles you to inclusion in the program. Inclusion will associate a flag notification in EMC’s system that you are approved. Do VSPEX Proven Infrastructures require deal registration? To receive access to VSPEX collateral, including technical architecture materials, you must become a VSPEX partner. Once activated, you can then register their VSPEX opportunities to obtain additional discounts. How do I register opportunities for VSPEX? Follow their normal deal registration process. Within this EMC deal registration tool, a new data field has been added asking, “Is this a VSPEX solution opportunity?” You then select the appropriate VSPEX solution from the drop down menu. Where do I go if I have questions about VSPEX? You should reach out to your Distributor or EMC Partner Development Manager (PDM) if you have questions regarding the VSPEX program. Is there incremental Marketing Development Funds (MDF)/ Demand Generation Funds (DGF) available to drive activities to support VSPEX? You should let your Channel Marketing Manager know of your interest in driving demand generation programs. The CMM will work with you to develop a go-forward plan. At that point, the marketing team is best skilled to discuss co-marketing funding and processes that align with your plans. Is there coordination between this VSPEX program and my server/network/software vendors to align incentives, branding, and messaging? Yes, a number of EMC’s Technology Alliance Partners have been selected and are supporting this initiative as a “meet in the channel opportunity” for you. The current list of EMC’s VSPEX ecosystem partners includes: Brocade, Cisco, Citrix, Intel, Microsoft, and VMware. Incentives will vary, but you should follow normal incentives processes available via each ecosystem. How long will this program run? Is this a pilot/trial program? The VSPEX program is not a pilot or trial program. This is a new go to market selling model for EMC, which was created to provide added value to you and your customers.
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