Avnet Technology Solutions expands its cloud training offerings in the U.S., Canada

Avnet Technology Solutions, an IT solutions distribution vendor and an operating group of Avnet Inc., has announced a new training framework available through its recently launched Avnet Cloud Solutions group.

This framework is designed to enable Avnet's independent software vendor (ISV), managed service provider (MSP) and value-added reseller (VAR) partners in the U.S. and Canada to compete in the off-premise cloud computing market. It includes fundamental, advanced and mastery training related to developing a cloud practice, specializing in high-growth off-premise cloud workloads and gaining in-depth expertise in off-premise cloud offerings.

Additionally, Avnet joined forces with ITpreneurs to further enhance its cloud training offerings. Avnet teamed with ITpreneurs because the organization works in collaboration with CompTIA and the Cloud Credential Council to offer a vendor-neutral cloud certification program, which has become the industry-recognized certification to validate cloud skills and competencies. Qualified partners will be able to access the ITpreneurs cloud training program at a special Avnet rate.

"To successfully compete and remain relevant in today's cloud marketplace, partners must elevate their role to that of a trusted advisor who can help their customers adopt cloud computing to create business advantages," Tim FitzGerald, vice president of Avnet Cloud Solutions, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "However, the transition from selling on-premise solutions to providing annuity-based cloud services can be challenging for many partners. Avnet created our new training framework to enable partners to make this business transformation and accelerate the growth and success of their off-premise cloud computing businesses."

Avnet Cloud Solutions will help partners find the quickest path to building their own expert off-premise cloud solutions team by working with partners to create training roadmaps tailored to the their unique needs.

Available through Avnet's relationship with ITpreneurs, the Cloud Practices training includes fundamentals and advanced and mastery coursework focused on the business principles, sales skills and technical knowledge needed to grow a cloud practice. Initially, this courseware will feature multiple levels of training related to cloud computing, ITIL and virtualization to help partners build a baseline of knowledge and attain industry certifications.

The Avnet-developed Cloud Workload training course helps partners specialize in the high-growth off-premise cloud workloads best aligned with their business strategies and core competencies. It is designed to help partners understand end-customer business drivers, off-premise cloud solutions, the supplier landscape, technical knowledge and adjacent professional services opportunities.

The Avnet-developed Cloud Offerings training course provides offering-specific instruction and deep-dive technical training, as well as online sales tools and resources to speed the selling process. It explores features and benefits, qualifying, scoping and quoting.

"Selling cloud offerings requires a different skill set than traditional project-based solutions," said Dennis Mueller, vice president of Innovation and Emerging Technologies at CMT, an IT solutions provider and Avnet partner. "Avnet has taken the guesswork out of cloud computing training and zeroed in on those areas that will help us capitalize on the off-premise cloud market quickly. With Avnet, we can access quality courseware and certification programs that will help set us apart from our competition. We'll be working closely with the Avnet Cloud Solutions team to create our training and certification roadmap to enable us to address customer demand and build a sustainable cloud business."