Partner Categories and Partner Types (SaaS)
This illustration shows the main partner types and partner categories found in many SaaS ecosystems today.
Partner Types
On the outer ring, various partner types are shows, including:
- Referral Partners — Help drive brand awareness and customer referrals
- Resellers & Distributor — Sell and distribute the products to customers
- Managed Service Providers — Deliver professional services and support around the SaaS products
- OEMs — Incorporate the products in parts or completely into their own offerings
- Technology Partners — Provide products or infrastructure that complement or enhance the technology offerings
Partner Categories
Partner types can also be clustered in categories according to their strategic contribution:
- Channel Partners — Focus on sales, distribution, and reaching new markets
- Product Partners — Enhance and expand the product portfolio
- Service Partners — Deliver professional services and support
- Marketing Partners — Amplify brand awareness and exposure