Introducing the New Parallels Desktop Partner Program

A dedicated program for partners selling and supporting Parallels Desktop for Business and Parallels Desktop for Enterprise.

Mac adoption is creating new conversations for partners.

An organization may want to give employees more choice in the devices they use, while the business still depends on Windows applications, development tools, or long-established Windows workflows. Replacing those applications may not be practical. Adding separate Windows hardware may not make sense either.

Parallels Desktop gives partners another way to address that problem by helping customers run the Windows applications they need on Mac. The new Parallels Desktop Partner Program is designed for partners selling and supporting Parallels Desktop for Business and Parallels Desktop for Enterprise. It introduces two participation levels, Authorized and Premier, with resources and benefits matched to the partner's stage of business with Parallels.

Partners can access training, sales resources, technical support, NFR licenses, marketing opportunities, and the Parallels Partner Portal. Premier partners that meet the program requirements can qualify for additional commercial and business support.

Our goal is to give Parallels Desktop partners a clearer way to develop product expertise, support customer opportunities, and expand their business with Parallels.

A partner program built specifically for Parallels Desktop

The challenge Parallels Desktop addresses is familiar to many IT teams.

Employees may prefer Mac, but key applications still run on Windows. Developers may rely on Windows-based development tools or workflows. Some departments may rely on software or workflows that are difficult or expensive to replace.

For partners, those requirements can open useful conversations around Mac adoption, application compatibility, developer environments, productivity, and IT management.

The Parallels Desktop Partner Program gives partners resources specifically for those conversations.

A partner that is beginning to develop its Parallels Desktop practice will have different needs from one already managing an established book of business. The program reflects that through two levels.

Authorized: Build your Parallels Desktop practice

The Authorized level is intended for partners developing their Parallels Desktop business. It provides access to the core resources teams need to learn the product, demonstrate it, support customer discussions, and develop new opportunities.

Authorized partner benefits include:

• Parallels Partner Portal access
• On-demand webinars and sales training
• Live sales enablement training
• Partner locator listing
• Opportunities to collaborate on customer case studies
• Eligible not-for-resale (NFR) licenses
• Customer support
• Technical support

For a new Parallels Desktop reseller, this creates a practical starting point. Sales teams can learn how the product fits into customer environments, while technical teams can develop the knowledge needed to demonstrate and support it.

Certification is available as an optional development path, so partners can deepen that expertise as their business develops.

Premier: More support for an established Parallels Desktop business

The Premier level is designed for partners with an established Parallels Desktop business and deeper sales and technical expertise.

Premier partners receive the benefits available at the Authorized level and can qualify for additional support, including:

• Deal registration incentives
• Account management and business planning support
• Pre-sales support

Premier partners are expected to maintain qualified sales, technical, and advanced technical expertise. That matters when customer conversations become more detailed. A partner may need to explain how Parallels Desktop fits into a broader Mac deployment, answer technical questions before a purchase, or work through a more complex opportunity with the customer.

The Premier level gives qualifying partners access to additional Parallels resources as those opportunities develop.

Develop sales and technical expertise with free certification

Product access is useful, but it does not replace product knowledge. Partners need to understand where Parallels Desktop fits, which customer problems it can address, and how to support the product once it is in use.

Parallels provides free sales and technical certifications for partner teams. Sales training focuses on how to position and sell Parallels Desktop in relevant customer scenarios. Technical training helps IT specialists and support teams build the expertise needed to support Parallels Desktop.

Authorized partners can use certification as an optional development path. Premier partners are expected to maintain deeper sales, technical, and advanced product expertise as part of their program participation.

For teams that want to develop a more structured Parallels Desktop practice, certification gives sales and technical staff a common foundation to work from.

Learn more about Parallels Desktop partner certification

Get hands-on with Parallels Desktop

Knowing the product on paper is only part of the job.

Eligible partners can access NFR licenses for internal use of Parallels Desktop. Teams can explore the product, test it internally, train colleagues, and prepare product demonstrations or proof-of-concept activities before bringing the solution into a sales conversation.

Partners also gain access to the Parallels Partner Portal. The portal brings together partner resources in one place, including training, sales materials, marketing resources, and program information.

For partners building familiarity with Parallels Desktop, that means less time searching for the right material and a clearer place to start when a new opportunity comes up.

Why Parallels Desktop can create new partner opportunities

Parallels has worked in virtualization and cross-platform computing for more than 30 years.

Parallels Desktop addresses a specific problem that continues to come up as more organizations adopt Mac:

People want to use Mac, while parts of the business still rely on Windows.

That dependency can take many forms. It may be a line-of-business application that does not have a Mac version, a development workflow that requires Windows or Linux, or an internal process built around Windows software. Parallels Desktop lets customers address those requirements without maintaining a separate Windows PC for every user who needs access.

For Parallels Desktop partners, that creates an opening to discuss more than software licensing. It can lead to broader conversations about device strategy, application compatibility, developer requirements, and how IT supports mixed environments.

The partner program is there to help teams prepare for those conversations and support the opportunities that follow.

A clearer path for new and existing Parallels Desktop partners

Some partners will join the program while they are still learning where Parallels Desktop fits in their business. Others already have customers, trained teams, and an established Parallels Desktop practice.

The Authorized and Premier levels give both groups a defined place within the program. Authorized partners can begin with core training, NFR access, support, partner visibility, and optional certification. Partners that develop a larger Parallels Desktop business and meet the Premier requirements can qualify for additional commercial and business support. That gives partners room to develop their relationship with Parallels without forcing every business into the same model.

Ready to grow your Parallels Desktop business?

If your customers are adopting Mac while still relying on Windows applications or workflows, Parallels Desktop may give you a useful way to help them bridge that gap. The Parallels Desktop Partner Program provides training, product resources, support, NFR access, and a defined program path for partners selling and supporting Parallels Desktop for Business and Parallels Desktop for Enterprise.

Become a Parallels Desktop Partner

Already a Parallels partner? Access the Partner Portal to review the resources and benefits available to you.