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Atlassian is well known for its suite of productivity and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Trello, offers a robust partnership program designed to empower consultants, resellers, and integrators. This article explores the pathway to becoming an Atlassian Partner, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and providing insights into how you can leverage this opportunity to grow your business.
Understand the Atlassian Partner Program
Before diving into the partnership, it’s crucial to understand what the Atlassian Partner Program entails. This program is designed to support organizations in delivering high-quality services and solutions to customers using Atlassian products.
It is divided into several levels, including Silver, Gold, and Platinum, each with its specific requirements and benefits.
Example of an Atlassian Partner:
A consulting firm specializing in project management solutions could become an Atlassian Silver Partner by meeting specific sales targets and having a certified team to support Atlassian products.
Types of Atlassian Partnerships
The Atlassian Partner Program is designed to accommodate a diverse range of businesses and services, ensuring that partners can find their niche within the Atlassian ecosystem. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and customer success, Atlassian has streamlined its partner types into four main categories: Solution Partners, Marketplace Partners, Global Alliance Partners, and Platform Partners. Each category plays a crucial role in extending the reach and capabilities of Atlassian’s offerings.
1. 
Solution Partners
Who They Are: Solution Partners specialize in consulting, sales, and implementation services for Atlassian products. They help clients deploy, customize, and get the most out of their Atlassian software, ensuring businesses can leverage these tools to improve their operations and workflows.
Benefits:
- Access to Atlassian sales and marketing resources.
- Training and certifications to enhance service delivery.
Example: A consulting firm that assists companies in integrating Jira and Confluence for improved project management and collaboration.
2. 
Marketplace Partners
Who They Are: Marketplace Partners develop apps and plugins that complement or extend the functionality of Atlassian products. These partners contribute to the Atlassian Marketplace, a platform where users can find a wide range of add-ons to tailor Atlassian tools to their specific needs.
Benefits:
- A platform for selling and distributing apps globally.
- Support and development resources from Atlassian.
Example: A software developer that creates a project reporting tool for Jira, enabling enhanced data visualization and reporting capabilities.
3. 
Global Alliance Partners
Who They Are: Global Alliance Partners are typically large, multinational companies that collaborate with Atlassian on a strategic level. This partnership type focuses on creating synergies between Atlassian’s software suite and the partner’s services or products, offering comprehensive solutions to customers on a global scale.
Benefits:
- Strategic collaboration opportunities with Atlassian.
- Access to a broader network of customers and markets.
Example: A global IT services company that works with Atlassian to provide enterprise-scale solutions combining their services with Atlassian’s products.
4. 
Platform Partners
Who They Are: Platform Partners are companies that offer platforms or technologies that integrate with or support Atlassian products. This partnership aims to ensure compatibility and seamless integration between Atlassian tools and other critical business systems, enhancing the overall user experience.
Benefits:
- Opportunities to co-develop integrations that benefit mutual customers.
- Access to Atlassian’s technical resources and support.
Example: A cloud computing provider that ensures its services are optimized for hosting Atlassian’s suite of tools, offering customers reliable and scalable cloud solutions.
Atlassian Partner Requirements:
To become an Atlassian Partner, your organization must meet certain prerequisites. These vary by partnership level but generally include sales performance, certified personnel, and customer satisfaction metrics.
Pros:
- Access to Atlassian resources and support can significantly enhance your service offerings.
- Certification and recognition by Atlassian can improve your market visibility.
Cons:
- Meeting the certification and sales requirements can be challenging for smaller organizations.
Get Certified
Atlassian offers certifications and accreditations for individuals across various roles, including administrators, developers, and project managers. Getting your team certified not only meets one of the key partnership requirements but also equips them with the knowledge to excel in deploying Atlassian solutions.
Example:
An IT service provider could have its team members achieve the Atlassian Certified Master status by completing certifications in Jira Administration, Agile Development with Jira Software, and Jira Service Management Administration.
Leverage Atlassian Resources
Upon meeting the initial requirements, partners gain access to a wealth of resources, including training materials, marketing collateral, and sales tools. Utilizing these resources effectively can help you maximize your partnership benefits.
Pro:
- Exclusive resources and support can enable you to deliver superior solutions to your customers.
Con:
- Navigating and utilizing the extensive range of resources effectively can be overwhelming initially.
Becoming an Atlassian Partner offers a unique opportunity to grow your business by leveraging some of the most powerful tools in the industry. While the journey requires dedication to meet the program’s stringent requirements, the benefits — from enhanced visibility to access to cutting-edge resources — are substantial.
Whether you’re a small consultancy or a large IT services firm, the Atlassian Partner Program can provide the tools and support you need to deliver exceptional value to your customers and stand out in the competitive tech landscape.
Embarking on this journey involves careful planning, investment in your team’s skills, and a commitment to excellence in service delivery. By understanding the program’s requirements, getting your team certified, leveraging the available resources, and building a showcase of your work, you can embark on a fruitful partnership with Atlassian.