PartnerNet for Technology Partners FAQ

Program Overview
Who should join the PartnerNet for Technology Partners program?
All Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Independent Hardware Vendors (IHVs) who wish to expand their relationship with Novell and take advantage of the development and marketing benefits afforded should join the program.

What is the PartnerNet for Technology Partners program?
It is a track within Novell's partner program, PartnerNet. The Technology Partner program helps ISVs, IHVs, and system builders develop or port their software and hardware products to Novell technologies, then market those solutions to customers. The other two tracks in PartnerNet are for Solution Providers (resellers and system integrators) and Training Partners. Having all three groups in the PartnerNet program also increases the opportunities for partners to work together. For example, a Technology Partner may work with a Solution Provider to have them sell their software.

What is Novell Open Business?
Novell Open Business is the OEM licensing component to PartnerNet. ISVs, IHVs, and system builders that want to include Novell technologies with their products enter into contracts with Novell using Open Business. This can include pre-load, drop-in, component or other licensing options. For more details, go to http://www.novell.com/partners/technology/openbusiness.html.

Where can I get details about the program?
At the PartnerNet for Technology Partners home page. View a detailed program guide and features matrix. Go to http://www.novell.com/partners/technology/.

Why should an ISV or IHV want to join PartnerNet?
Novell, particularly with its Linux initiatives, offers attractive business opportunities, and becoming a partner helps them to speed up their development process and gain access to Novell customers and partners. Here is a summary of the benefits they receive as a member of PartnerNet for Technology Partners:

Different levels of participation to fit their business plan
Developer support
Porting and migration services and resources
Early access to Novell technologies
Access to product certification through the YES CERTIFIED program
Placement in the Novell Partner Product Guide
Free and discounted technical support
Co-marketing opportunities
For higher level partners, go to market activities
vCommercial licensing opportunities through Novell Open Business
Benefits increase with the level of participation

What are the levels of participation in the program?
There are four levels: Ready, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Gold and Platinum levels require greater investment and effort from the partner, and bring greater participation and rewards from Novell. See an overview of the program levels in the features matrix at http://www.novell.com/partners/technology/

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Signing Up
What are the requirements for membership?

Partners must complete the online application at http://www.novell.com/partners/technology/. This includes partners who may belong to other PartnerNet programs.
As part of the application process, accept the PartnerNet agreement available at http://www.novell.com/partners/channel/partnernet_agreement.pdf
Receive approval by Novell to join the program
List Novell as a partner on your own web site using text and logo provided by Novell
Commit to port, move, develop or integrate a minimum of one product supporting Novell technologies
Announce a product within 6 months, deliver a product within 12
Pay the program fee

Is there a program fee?
The Ready membership carries no fee. Silver membership is US$1,500. Payment options in North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific include Check and Credit Card. In EMEA, program fees and collections will be done in local currency. Payment options there include Credit Card and Wire Transfer. Gold and Platinum partners also commit to additional investment in developer and support services. In these cases, the program fee is included.

Can a partner belong to more than one PartnerNet track?
Yes. If you could benefit from membership in multiple tracks, please apply. The PartnerNet tracks are designed to offer benefits to partners based on their business model.

Do partners need to pay again if they are already a Solution Provider or Training Partner in PartnerNet?
Yes.

Where do partners sign up for the program?
Information for joining the program and accessing the portal are available at http://www.novell.com/partners/technology/ Access to the portal is restricted to active PartnerNet for Technology Partners members and Novell employees who work with partners.

Is the program agreement available for review by partners prior to making application?
Yes, the agreement is available at http://www.novell.com/partners/partnernet_agreement.pdf

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Technology Partner Portal
What's on the PartnerNet for Technology Partners portal? How do partners access it?
The portal has Technology Partner-related news and links to the Marketing Opportunity Kit, partners' download site, support requests, and other program elements such as the Partner Product Guide and the YES CERTIFIED program. Access to the portal is restricted to active PartnerNet for Technology Partners members and Novell employees who work with partners. It can be reached from the left navigation column on the Technology Partner home page at http://www.novell.com/partners/technology/

Who can access the Technology Partner portal?
Anyone who is listed as a contact for the Technology Partner program is granted access to the portal. The main contact for the partners can manage their contacts within the Portal to add/drop or modify contact information. As the main contact adds or removes contacts, their access to the portal will be granted or revoked. Access to the Technology Partner portal also requires a Novell Account.

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Benefits
Where do partners go for technical support?
Partners receive one or more subscriptions to the Novell Tech Select Service which includes a range of self-help technical resources. They also receive 5 product support service requests. Instructions on how to activate service requests are included in the activation email. There is also a link to support service requests from the Technology Partner portal.

How do partners list their products on Novell's web site?
The Novell Partner Product Guide http://www.novell.com/partnerguide is where partners can list and promote their products to customers and other partners. Partners will be required to submit their products into the partner guide at http://www.novell.com/partnerguide/submit.

How do partners certify that their product is compatible with Novell technologies?
They go through a certification process. Depending on the Novell product they are certifying to and their level of membership, they can self-test using Novell kits or submit their product to a Novell Authorized Testing Center (NATC). For more information on the YES CERTIFIED program, go to http://developer.novell.com/devnet/yes/.

Do partners receive discounts to obtain YES certification?
Gold and Platinum partners receive no-fee certification for their products. Silver partners receive up to 3 no-fee certifications for products certified to SUSE Linux and Novell Linux Desktop.

Do partners receive NFR or non-time-limited copies of Novell software for development purposes?
Yes, partners receive one or more subscriptions to the Novell Tech Select Service, which includes a comprehensive set of Novell software in the Novell Software Evaluation and Development Library (NSEDL).

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What is included in the Novell Software Evaluation and Development Library (NSEDL)?
Detailed information is available online at http://support.novell.com/subscriptions/.

Do Technology Partners receive a named Novell contact for partner account management?

Ready and Silver partners do not. They should leverage the online resources available through the PartnerNet for Technology Portal.
Gold partners receive shared coverage
Platinum partners receive named, individual coverage

How do partners expose their products and solutions to Novell's sales internal groups?
The marketing opportunity planner will provide details on how partners submit information which Novell will make available to the direct sales force. Also, a direct link on the Technology Partner Portal directs them to the page where they can submit a product announcement.

Marketing Opportunities
What additional marketing benefits are available to partners?
The online Partner Marketing Opportunity Planner will provide a detailed list of marketing activities available for partners to leverage. Some will be completely self service while others will require an invitation or approval by Novell. Most will require payment from partners to leverage the opportunity. Examples of the types of opportunities listed in the planner include advertising, events, direct marketing, web marketing, marketing to Novell field sales and channel partners, and participation with Novell at industry events.

Where do partners obtain the necessary Novell Logos and text for placement on their websites?
Logos and Novell approved text will be available from the Partner Marketing Opportunity Planner available within the Technology Partner portal: http://www.novell.com/partners/isvihv/protected/planner/10061.html

Random Questions
Is there a newsletter for Technology Partners?
Yes. "PartnerNet News for Technology Partners" is delivered every 3 weeks via email, containing the latest information from Novell. This is produced by the PartnerNet Team at corporate. Partners can sign up for the newsletter on the Technology Partner home page.The regions are also encouraged to incorporate information for these partners into their existing publications for training service and channel partners.

Is there any program for corporate developers that are only interested in development support?
Developer Services offers several benefits to corporate developers, including the DeveloperNet program and a range of developer support packages. For more information, visit http://developer.novell.com.

Can Technology Partners access Knowledge Transfer, Sales Training and Sales Tools produced for the channel?
Partners can leverage information,sales training and tools available online from the Resource Center http://www.novell.com/resourcecenter. This includes self-paced training, go to market kits, and partner solution opportunity kits.