Australian ‘data-center-as-a-service’ (DCaaS) provider NextDC has launched a partner program to create a channel of service providers and international and domestic carriers who will resell its data center capacity.

The official NextDC Partner Program aims to match the potential business benefits each partner can enjoy to the level of engagement they commit to, according to a NextDC spokesman.

The partner channel consists of three streams (or tiers) into which service provides will be categorized. The level of discounts, the rapidity of technical responses and the numbers of sales leads accorded to each partner will be commensurate with their standing in the hierarchy.

Premier Partners will be characterized as those selling colocation services in NextDC data centers. The next tier down will be comprised of Service Provider Partners, who will sell hosting services in the NextDC facilities. Finally, Solutions Partners will offer global and local enterprises their solutions running on NextDC’s infrastructure and machinery.

Among the features offered to NextDC’s channel partners will be a service – Cloud Centre – that formalizes sales lead generation and the cross connection of services to complementary systems within the NextDC ecosystem.

Partners will be recognized for their efforts to bring clients to the data center through an official Opportunity Registration, which recognizes the pioneering work of those companies that make the introductions of the customer and the data centre. This helps to stop the channel from becoming a cut throat competition and eliminates poaching from rival service providers. It also offers rewards for companies to do the legwork for a valuable relationship for the data center.

There is also a Partner Advisory Board which helps partners with long term business strategy, product planning and devices a joint marketing strategy, in which the data center helps to fund marketing campaigns for partners.

“This announcement is a very important milestone for us,” explained NextDC CEO Craig Scroggie.

“Earlier this year we fulfilled our vision to create a world-class national network of independent data centres. Now our focus is on driving growth through partners.”