Technology Alliance Partner
The Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) Program enables partners to develop and deliver proven solutions by providing tools and resources to test, integrate and package joint products.
VMware Technology Alliance Partner Program Video
What is the Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) Program?
The Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) Program enables companies to partner with the global leader in virtualization, with more than 480,000 customers worldwide. Get the tools and resources to build and deliver your solutions on the VMware platform. Test, integrate and package Application Software, Infrastructure and Hardware products with VMware products across the Software Defined Data Center, End User Computing and Hybrid Cloud areas – on premise or in the Cloud.
Created exclusively for software and hardware vendors, the TAP program will give you what you need to develop and deliver joint solutions to our shared customers and help you achieve certification to stand out in the VMware Solution Exchange marketplace.
VMware Ready designates VMware’s highest level of endorsement for products that meet VMware quality standards and are created by TAP partners.
Embedded OEM partners can deliver a pre-configured, turn-key solution with embedded VMware products to their customers.
The ISV Center enables Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to test, certify and deliver applications running on the VMware Virtualization platform.
The VMware Solution Exchange is VMware’s ecosystem marketplace – a central location where customers can research, evaluate and rate more than 2,500 solutions from VMware technology partners, systems integrators and developers.
How to apply for TAP Program membership
Each partner has to first join the VMware Partner Network at the free Enrolled tier. Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) is just one of the programs that a partner can choose to apply for after joining at the Enrolled tier level.
The Enrolled tier allows you to:
- Learn more about the different partner programs.
- Take time to decide which program is right for your business model, and start acquiring the needed sales and technical solution skills with free online training to accelerate time to first transaction.
- Choose to apply for TAP and other programs as TAP program supports cross-enrollment.
Please note that partners in the Enrolled tier do NOT have resell rights.
Join at the Enrolled tier
Program Levels & Requirements
| Requirements | Access | Elite | Global |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Support Statement (Software Vendors Only) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VMware Solution Exchange Published Listing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Primary Contact | Alliance Champion | Alliance Champion | Alliance Champion |
| Technical Contact | Engineering and Beta Champion | Engineering and Beta Champion | Engineering and Beta Champion |
| VMware Technical Sales Professional (VTSP) or VMware Certified Professional (VCP) Accreditation | Recommended | Either 1 VTSP or 1 VCP on staff | 3 VCPs and 2 VTSPs on staff |
| TSANet Membership (VMware Ready) | VMware Ready | VMware Ready | VMware Ready |
| Annual Program Fee | $750 USD | $7,500 USD | $30,000 USD |
For detailed requirements refer to the TAP Program Guide
VMware is pleased to announce the TAP Global Level. Membership in the TAP Global program is by invitation only. Partners must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for membership. VMware will select from among eligible applicants based on the best opportunities for deploying successful joint solutions into the market in light of available resources.
Global Eligibility Criteria
Partners should meet at least one, and preferably more or all, of the following criteria to be considered for invitation to the Global Level:
- Must be a TAP Elite partner for at least one year prior to application
- At least one partner product must be certified as VMware Ready
- Partner must have Global sales distribution in at least two major geographical regions
- Partner must drive measurable direct or indirect revenue back to VMware
In addition, any partner wishing to be invited must complete an application for VMware’s review. Please reach out to the TAP Team to express interest and apply.
Program Benefits
The Global Tier was introduced at VMworld 2015, with additional benefits for existing tiers. For a more detailed list of program benefits, refer to the TAP Program Guide.
| Benefits | Access | Elite | Global |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Software Licenses – Not for resale (NFR) licenses for the purposes of demonstrating, developing, testing and supporting interoperability and integrations between partner products and VMware software. | Access bundle with 5 incident support pack (formerly 2 incident pack) | Elite bundle with Basic SnS | Custom NFR grant based upon business justification and approval by VMware |
| VMware Ready Certification – Differentiate your solution by letting your customers know that it has passed the strict VMware Ready testing requirements. The VMware Ready logo is provided upon successful testing of the application. | Yes (ISV Application Certifications Only) |
Yes | Yes |
| Solution Briefs (VMware Ready required) |
1/year | 3/year | |
| Supporting Quote for Custom Press Release | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Exclusive NDA Roadmap Sessions – The TAP team hosts Product Roadmap sessions at VMworld and on-site in Palo Alto for TAP members, on an invitation-only basis. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Quarterly Webinars on TAP Benefits | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eligible for Embedded OEM Consideration – TAP Elite and Global partners interested in packaging and distributing VMware products as part of a product or solution are encouraged to become Embedded OEM partners, email eoem-program@vmware.com. | Yes | Yes | |
| Eligible for a 1:1 meeting with a VMware Product Manager* | Yes | Yes | |
| Eligible for a Featured Product Listing on the VMware Solution Exchange (VSX) | Yes | Yes | |
| Certification Planning Session Webinars* | Yes | Yes | |
| Joint Webinars* – Must have completed solution brief. | Yes | Yes | |
| Joint Whitepapers* – Must have completed solution brief and webinar. | Yes | Yes | |
| Architecture Roundtables* – May only be offered in a particular area or region. Limited invitation. | Yes | Yes | |
| Named VMware Executive and Business Unit Sponsor | Yes | ||
| Not for Resale License Portal | Yes | ||
| Channel Mapping | Yes | ||
| Listing on Global Alliances vmware.com Page | Yes | ||
| Named Alliance Manager | Yes |
* Resources are limited for these benefits. In addition to meeting the defined eligibility criteria, the partner must submit a business case and receive approval from VMware. Please review the TAP Program Guide or reach out to the TAP Team for additional requirements and further guidance.
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