Red Hat opens European partner programme

Red Hat is to expand its European reach with the launch of a partner programme promising help for European resellers, VARs and system integrators selling end-to-end open source systems.

The Red Hat Advanced Partner Programme will give channel players added support from Red Hat staff, both in pre-sales and in distribution, as well as access to information and evaluation versions.

The open source company said UK partners include ISC Computers and LinuxIT.

To become a Red Hat Advanced Partner, resellers must demonstrate the necessary Linux expertise by employing at least two Red Hat Certified Engineers.

A jointly prepared business plan including a minimum sales target is then drawn up to provide the basis for the co-operation.

According to Red Hat, Advanced Partners are given access to information and materials via a separate area of the company website.

Benefits of the Advanced Partner Programme include the opportunity to sell a complete open source system, including the entire infrastructure of the Red Hat Network (proxy and satellite servers and provisioning), training, consulting and support.

Dirk Haaga, Red Hat central Europe channel manager, said in a statement: "Advanced Partners play an extremely important role in Red Hat's long-term business strategy.

"The aim of this programme is to work more closely with our Advanced Partners. As such, we will be looking to develop a group of about 20 partners per region, to ensure that co-operation is as productive as possible for both sides."

Further information about Red Hat partner programmes can be found here.