Empowering growth through intelligence and partnership

In a world where change is the only constant, NetApp doesn’t just adapt—it leads. We turn disruption into opportunity, empowering our customers and Partners to meet every moment with confidence. At the center of this momentum are our Distribution Partners. They’re not just part of the journey; they’re the engine that drives it. As force multipliers and trusted advisors, Distribution Partners play a pivotal role in delivering success across the entire customer lifecycle. As we charge into FY26, we’re building on the strong foundation of last year’s program with enhancements that reflect our commitment to simplicity, consistency, and Partner empowerment. Our FY26 Distribution Partner Program is designed to scale success, to accelerate growth, and to deliver differentiated value in a rapidly evolving market.

We have streamlined program requirements to focus on what matters most: enablement and execution. Training remains a cornerstone, with clear, auditable requirements that empower Distributors to support their Partners effectively. Our Partner Sphere framework continues to guide our approach—simplifying engagement, enabling transformation, and accelerating outcomes. FY26 brings an even sharper focus on technical excellence as a differentiator for our Distributors and Partners. With over 1,200 Solution Competencies and Services Certifications achieved across our ecosystem, we’re doubling down on training and enablement. Distributors are encouraged to attain and to promote Solution Competencies and Services Certified tracks, helping their managed Partners build credibility and deliver customer-centric solutions.

Our enhanced Partner Intelligence dashboards provide actionable insights, enabling Distributors to track their own performance and the performance of their managed Partners. We have maintained our predictable Incentive structure—rewarding every dollar of eligible Invoiced Bookings and enabling our Distributors to maintain profitability while reinvesting alongside NetApp. These Incentives are designed to drive our go-to-market (GTM) priorities by winning in competitive takeouts, by landing net-new customers, and by growing our share of wallet with block-optimized storage and AI. 

To propel leadership in AI, we’re putting serious power behind our Partners. With NetApp® intelligent data infrastructure, Partners are their footprint, and scale in the cloud—all while leading the AI conversation.  

From NetApp AIPod™ Mini with Intel and FlexPod® AI to NetApp Keystone® AI as a service, our portfolio is built to support every step of the journey. And with offerings like new Services Certified tracks, Accelerated Partner Services, and Keystone, Partners have everything that they need to deliver outcomes that stick.  

It’s smart, it’s scalable, and it’s all for Partners to lead with.  

We have made it easier than ever to access the tools and guidance that Distributors and Partners need to succeed. From the Distribution Partner Program Guide and Incentives Guide to the Recommended Practices Guide, everything is designed for clarity and impact. And with tailored enablement through Partner Academy events, on-demand training, and solution-specific content on the Partner Hub, our Partners are equipped to thrive. 

With over 100 Distributors and 8,500 Partners globally, NetApp’s ecosystem is built for scale. We’re proud of the momentum that we have built together—and we’re just getting started. FY26 is about deepening our partnerships, co-selling with purpose, and delivering outcomes that matter. 

We sincerely thank our Distribution Partners for being the growth engine of NetApp. Let’s make FY26 our most impactful year yet. To help drive success and reach that goal, NetApp Distribution Partners can find the resources that they need in the Distribution Essentials section of the NetApp Partner Hub.