NETGEAR has rolled out its new
Drive Partner Success Program, a global, tiered initiative built to help integrators, MSPs, and VARs grow faster and operate more efficiently. The program simplifies how partners do business with NETGEAR while offering clearer incentives, better enablement, and easier access to tools and support. The launch signals a deeper enterprise focus for NETGEAR, aligning with the company’s goal of helping small and medium businesses modernize their networks with greater simplicity and reliability.
Thomas Schwab, Channel Chief, Global Channels at NETGEAR, told ChannelE2E the name of the program reflects a deliberate mindset shift. “We’re not calling it a partner program - we’re calling it a Partner Success Program. It’s all about our partners. We’re only successful when our partners are successful, and that’s what this is all about.”
Simplifying Engagement and Strengthening Collaboration
At its core, the Drive Partner Success Program is designed to reduce friction in how partners engage with NETGEAR. It introduces a streamlined structure that replaces complexity with transparency - clear tiers, measurable milestones, and rewards tied directly to partner performance.
The program includes three tiers:
Ignite,
Apex, and
Apex MSP, each reflecting the partner’s level of capability, service maturity, and commitment to training.
“Our tiers are based on capability, not revenue,” Schwab said. “Customers don’t care how much a partner sells; they care about design, implementation, and support. We wanted a model that rewards capability and integrity, not just sales volume.”
Drive also enhances how partners access NETGEAR’s ecosystem. A newly launched partner portal provides centralized access to sales enablement resources, training materials, marketing assets, and technical support. This self-service approach makes it easier for partners to stay current on product updates, certification paths, and new solution launches without depending on multiple systems or regional processes.
Addressing Real-World Partner/Customer Challenges
The program’s structure was shaped by direct feedback from MSPs and integrators. “It was as much about partners as customers,” Schwab said. “We went back to the basics and asked what would truly help partners succeed.”
That feedback led to several tangible improvements. Partners now have access to support SKUs at deeper discounts, allowing them to sell support directly to customers and retain higher margins. Volume pricing helps MSPs investing upfront in as-a-service models recover costs faster. NETGEAR has also introduced direct access to advanced support and continues to focus on product reliability to cut down on truck rolls and simplify management.
“We fit naturally in the small and medium enterprise space,” Schwab noted. “Big-tier vendors often overengineer and overprice their solutions, while low-cost players can’t guarantee reliability or partner profitability. NETGEAR sits in the middle - enterprise-grade reliability without unnecessary complexity or cost.”
Expanding Enablement and Go-to-Market Support
The Drive program extends beyond financial rewards. It’s built to equip partners with co-marketing opportunities, certification programs, and sales resources that enhance credibility and shorten deal cycles. Schwab said enablement is now a top priority: “Consistency starts with one worldwide team - account managers and SEs working from the same playbook. Enablement for us is sales acceleration.”
Partners can access training and certification across IT networking and AV, with advanced modules rolling out in the coming months. Apex partners require certified engineers and sales teams, plus verified customer success stories, while MSP partners undergo an audit process to validate proactive management and SLA adherence.
Built on Integrity and Measurable Growth
Integrity, Schwab said, is what differentiates Drive. “We’ve built fairness and predictability into everything - simple rules, protected deal registration, and no tier inflation. Partners earn their status through capability and results, not volume.”
NETGEAR will also incorporate customer satisfaction surveys and direct feedback loops to evaluate partner impact and improve over time. The focus is on shared growth and accountability rather than one-sided metrics.
Drive is rolling out globally to ensure consistency across all partner regions. Existing partners will automatically transition into the new framework with access to updated pricing, enablement materials, and the new portal starting immediately.
Schwab said this launch is part of a broader enterprise transformation within NETGEAR. “This aligns with our enterprise vision and leadership investments. You’ll see this evolution accelerate in the coming months. The Partner Success Program is a key part of that.”
For Schwab, it comes down to a partnership built on trust. “We’re not chasing volume for the sake of volume,” he said. “We’re building sustainable, mutual growth with partners who are the right fit. If it’s beneficial for them, it’s beneficial for us.”
