Non-members: Visit comptia.org/cloud to download available resources.

Channel Training Calendar

For a complete channel training class schedule, see our channel training calendar.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is moving past the hype stage and continuing to gain momentum as companies explore opportunities and the channel invests for the future. CompTIA provides a number of resources for solution providers to understand and enter this growing field.

Channel Training Courses

Channel training classes, presented by industry leaders, cover a practical, how-to approach to entering the cloud computing market. All classes can be taken in-person, and many can be taken online. For a complete channel training class schedule, see our channel training calendar.

• Executive Certificate in Cloud (Foundations)
• Executive Certificate in Cloud (Intermediate) NEW! This certificate may be completed entirely online through our new e-learning courses
• [+] Quick Start Session to Accelerating Your Cloud Business

  • Quick Start Session to Accelerating Your Cloud Business

    What are the success factors for integrating cloud-based services into a solution provider's business model? Can integrating these services generate business-sustaining revenue? This session seeks to answer these questions by covering the information introduced in the Quick Start Guide to Accelerating Your Cloud Business, a copy of which attendees receive at the conclusion of the session.

    Find Channel Training Sessions through our Course Locator

• [+] Quick Start Session Cloud/SaaS 

  • Quick Start Session to Cloud Computing

    The cloud is not one offering or service, but a number of web-based applications and platforms that offer a great opportunity for solution providers. This 45-60 minute presentation provides a basic education on cloud computing and offers actionable steps for IT channel leaders attracted to this emerging technology delivery model. Session attendees also receive the CompTIA Quick Start Guide to Cloud Computing.

    Find Channel Training Sessions through our Course Locator

• [+] Quick Start Session to Cloud Channel Development (for Vendors)

  • Quick Start Session to Cloud Channel Development (for Vendors)

    How does a vendor successfully build a channel for cloud-based offerings? And how do they measure their success? This session seeks answers to these questions by exploring the information presented in the Quick Start Guide to Cloud Channel Development (for Vendors), a copy of which attendees receive at the conclusion of the session.

    Find Channel Training Sessions through our Course Locator

• [+] Quick Start Session to Tackling Cloud Security Concerns

  • Quick Start Session to Tackling Cloud Security Concerns

    What are the concerns with cloud security? Are you prepared to address those concerns? How can you and your customers benefit from the advantages cloud offers while still managing the risk that it introduces? This session seeks answers to these questions by covering the information in the Quick Start Guide to Tackling Cloud Security Concerns, a copy of which attendees will receive at the conclusion of the session.

    Find Channel Training Sessions through our Course Locator

• [+] Quick Start Session to Virtualization

  • Quick Start Session to Virtualization

    Virtualization has become a critical component of many corporate IT strategies and is a foundational technology in cloud computing. However, CompTIA research finds that although firms are moving rapidly into the cloud, there is less adoption and familiarity with virtualization. Understanding this underlying element of the cloud will help solution providers better understand how to address issues such as cost structure and security. Join us for this 45-60 minute CompTIA Quick Start session to learn how virtualization works, its benefits, potential issues with implementing a virtual environment, and how to get started. Session attendees also receive the CompTIA Quick Start Guide to Virtualization – A Practical Guide for Solution Providers.

    Find Channel Training Sessions through our Course Locator

Channel Training Guides

Channel training guides walk solution providers through entering and succeeding in the cloud computing market. Self-study guides range from educational white papers to an in-depth 10-week guide to building a cloud computing practice.

Our basic training guides are available to download for free.
Our 10-Week Guide is available to CompTIA members only.

• [+] Quick Start Guide to Accelerating Your Cloud Business

  • Quick Start Guide to Accelerating Your Cloud Business

    Though some IT service providers still consider cloud computing a threat to their businesses, evidence of the in­creasing success of IT service providers that open their minds to cloud computing is growing. This quick start guide highlights the stories of IT solution providers mastering cloud consulting and cloud services. It offers lessons learned from those who have integrated cloud-based services into their businesses, and offers ideas on prime opportunities for recommending and deploying hybrid cloud services to existing customers.

    

• [+] Quick Start Guide to Cloud Channel Development (for Vendors)

  • Quick Start Guide to Cloud Channel Development (for Vendors)

    The ability to deliver cloud solutions and services through indirect channels is essential to the success of many companies. But how do you build and grow a channel for a cloud business? This guide discusses the importance of assessing your channel maturity and introduces a three-stage model for partner development: engagement, enablement, and evaluation and management. It offers an overview of each stage and provides a lead-in to the three-part CompTIA Video Series,Cloud Channel Development (for Vendors).

    

• [+] Quick Start Guide to Cloud Computing

  • Quick Start Guide to Cloud Computing

    The cloud is not one offering or service, but a number of web-based applications and platforms that offer a great opportunity for solution providers. This CompTIA Quick Start Guide provides an introduction to cloud computing and offers actionable steps for IT channel leaders attracted to this emerging technology delivery model.

    

• [+] Quick Start Guide to Tackling Cloud Security Concerns

  • Quick Start Guide to Tackling Cloud Security Concerns

    Business leaders do not have to look far to see some of the risk associated with cloud computing. From reports of cloud outages that bring down well-known and frequently visited web sites to password snafus that leave data “in the cloud” exposed, news outlets offer easy access to reports of security lapses in cloud services. Despite the questions these lapses raise there remains an intense interest in leveraging the agility and scalability offered by cloud-based solutions. This Quick Start Guide reviews the top cloud security concerns and offers a framework for addressing those concerns. It provides guidance on managing cloud concerns and also offers information on when to re-consider the appropriateness of a cloud solution.

    

• [+] Quick Start Guide to Virtualization

  • Quick Start Guide to Virtualization

    Virtualization has become a critical component of many corporate IT strategies and is a foundational technology in cloud computing. However, CompTIA research finds that although firms are moving rapidly into the cloud, there is less adoption and familiarity with virtualization. This CompTIA Quick Start Guide will help solution providers to better understand how to address issues such as cost structure and security while transitioning to the cloud.

    

• [+] Outlining Cloud Computing for the Channel Whitepaper

  • Outlining Cloud Computing for the Channel – White Paper

    Are you unclear about what cloud computing is, let alone the opportunities the technology delivery system offers for solution providers? This report clarifies definitions needed for the IT channel, with a detailed explanation of the service delivery models and application options for your portfolio.

    

• [+] Cloud Computing Business Models for the Channel Whitepaper

  • Defining Cloud Computing Business Models for the Channel – White Paper

    Adding cloud computing to a solution provider’s service portfolio requires a paradigm shift in many aspects of the business, including sales and support. This in-depth white paper discusses the effects this service delivery model has on a channel organization’s sales cycle, their shifting role in the client ecosystem, and other critical changes.

    

• [+] 10-Week Guide to Cloud Computing

  • 10-Week Guide to Cloud Computing

    This guide will help solution providers bring structure to the process of adding cloud offerings into their business. Whether planning an end-to-end cloud practice or thinking about supplementing your existing technology solutions and services with cloud-based options, you will benefit by consulting this guide. It is designed to help solution providers examine their organization’s unique deal economics and begin exploring the financial and operational implications that the addition of cloud services and solutions will have on pricing strategy, marketing practices, sales processes, and compensation policies. A self-study workbook is also provided.

    

• [+] 10-Week Guide to Accelerating Your Cloud Business

  • 10-Week Guide to Accelerating Your Cloud Business

    Building on the CompTIA 10-Week Guide to Cloud Computing, this second cloud-focused 10-Week Guide discusses specific strategies and tactics solution providers can employ as they evolve their businesses. Intended for those who have begun the integration and adoption of cloud-based IT services, this guide digs deeper into the business model implications faced by solution providers – from becoming a reseller or agent for a cloud service provider, to white labeling services, to the role that on-premise private cloud solutions play.

    Recommended reading prior to starting this guide: 10-Week Guide to Cloud Computing

    

• [+] Cloud Channel Development (for Vendors) Video Series

  • Cloud Channel Development (for Vendors) Video Series

    Building a robust indirect sales channel requires both an understanding of what drives positive partner behavior along with a well-designed partnering strategy that drives partners to recommend, sell and support a vendor’s services and solutions. In this video series, we focus on the behaviors and strategies needed for success in developing a channel for bringing cloud-based offerings to market. Each video focuses on one of three stages in the partner development process: partner engagement, partner enablement and partner evaluation and management.
    
    

    Part 1: Partner Engagement
    

    The first step in building partner relationships is to engage the "right" partners. This module explores strategies for identifying and recruiting the partners that best match your business goals. Learn to articulate a value proposition that resonates with your target partners. Explore how to segment potential partners in ways that encourage success for both their business and yours and discover ways of minimizing channel conflict as you pursue your channel building initiatives.

    
    Part 2: Partner Enablement
    

    While Part 1 focuses on identifying the right partners, Part 2 provides information on how to facilitate your partners' success. This course examines tactics for defining partner business model requirements, building incentive programs that complement your cloud partner margin models, clarifying roles for distributors to play in cloud services and creating new specializations or competencies.

    
    Part 3: Partner Evaluation and Management
    

    Once you have identified the right partners and provided them with tools for your mutual success, how do you evaluate their performance and measure your success? Part 3 seeks to help you answer this question. Learn more about using value versus volume metrics for measuring the success of cloud solution providers, discuss the options and opportunities presented by partnering with other solution providers and gain insights into the impact of peer partnerships on your other cloud program.

    

CompTIA Research & Market Intelligence

CompTIA research benchmarks business attitudes, purchase plans and technology preferences so solution providers can plan their selling strategy.

Research is available to CompTIA members only.

• [+]  Research Study: 3rd Annual Trends in Cloud Computing

  • 3rd Annual Trends in Cloud Computing

    Published July 2012
    

    CompTIA’s latest study on cloud computing finds that the market for cloud options as part of an IT infrastructure continues to be robust. Over 80% of companies now claim to use some form of cloud solution, whether that be virtual machines that can be spun up on demand or applications that can be easily procured and put into use.

    

• [+] White Paper: Understanding & Aligning with the Transformation of Partner Business Models

  • Understanding & Aligning with the Transformation of Partner Business Models

    published December 2011
    

    The business of being an IT solution provider has changed substantially over the past 10 years, from being a mostly technically oriented business that specializes in specifying, installing and supporting technology systems, to a primarily service-oriented business that specializes in identifying, addressing, and resolving customer business challenges. The information presented in this paper represents an effort by CompTIA's Vendor Advisory Council to answer many questions, and to identify practical segmentation and engagement strategies vendors can use to overhaul their go-to-market processes while still maintaining short-term revenue productivity.

    

• [+] White Paper: An Introduction to Virtualization

  • An Introduction to Virtualization

    published October 2011
    

    Virtualization has become a critical component of many corporate IT strategies and is a foundational technology in cloud computing. However, CompTIA research finds that although firms are moving rapidly into the cloud, there is less adoption and familiarity with virtualization. Understanding this underlying element of the cloud will help these firms better understand how to address issues such as cost structure and security.