"Channel partners play a very important role in supporting our customers' needs around the world and with these new programs we're making sure that they are equipped with the right products to drive expansion into current and new markets," said Jesse Chavez, vice president, Global Partner Sales, Sun Microsystems. "The Open Access Program and Software Specialties are game-changers for both resellers who simply want easier access to sell Sun software and current Sun Partners that want to expand their software and service delivery practices."

As part of Sun's partner-first initiative, the company continues to enhance the Sun Partner Advantage Program by providing maximum choice and flexibility to meet a broad range of partner business models. The Sun Partner Advantage Program is an integrated program that makes it easy for a broad range of partners to deliver complete customer solutions spanning systems, software and services. Open Access makes it easier for new and existing channel partners globally to sell Sun software with little up-front investment, while the Software Specialties provide partners with the tools they need to expand their high-value integration services practices around Sun's market leading software solutions and grow their revenue.

"The industry's best channel programs think about the business outcomes along side technology, provide simplified engagement with the partner community, and allow the channel to leverage all vendor tools and resources," said Tiffani Bova, vice president, WW IT Channel Programs and Sales Strategies, Gartner. "Channel programs which assist partners in developing solutions and offer substantial flexibility in engagement models achieve the greatest success in the market place."