Broadcom rolled out its new partner strategy for VMware’s Cloud Foundation (VCF) platform that looks to accelerate Broadcom’s controversial VMware monetization efforts while also attempting to tackle cloud and partner ecosystem concerns.

The Broadcom-edized VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) program is targeted at allowing cloud providers and third-party resellers to offer and run the VCF platform. VMware offered a similarly labeled VCSP program pre-Broadcom acquisition, but that program was put on the shelf shortly after Broadcom closed on the $69 billion acquisition.

The new VCSP includes Broadcom’s Advantage Partner Program that launched early last month. Within VCSP, this program is what allows qualified partners to now offer VCF and any accompanying cloud or managed services.

Ahmar Mohammad, VP for partners, managed services and solutions go-to-market at Broadcom, explained in a blog post that this new combination will provide for a more consistent performance and go-to-market strategy for VCF.

“All VCSP partners will deliver services based on the same VMware Cloud Foundation software customers deploy on-prem,” Mohammad wrote. “No more different versions of VCF for different environments. This is crucial to helping customers achieve a true hybrid cloud experience. Delivering services based on the same consistent VMware Cloud Foundation stack enables partners to focus less on infrastructure and more on differentiating their managed services and specialization.”

VCSP program services will all be based on a per-core subscription license, which Mohammad said will provide a more consistent VCF experience for end-users and allow partners to “compete and differentiate based on the value-added services they bring to customers.”

Existing VCF customers can also migrate their licenses between on-premises deployments and VCSP environments. “This will enable partners to help customers interested in shifting from a self-managed to an outsourced managed services model,” Mohammad said.

Broadcom’s new VMware program tiers

Mohammad also used the post to add more color to Broadcom’s Advantage Partner Program launch, which resulted in some former VMware program partners being excluded from the new offering.

“Reducing the overall size of the VCSP program will ensure we have the right partners who are capable of delivering consistent VMware Cloud Foundation-based services to customers worldwide,” Mohammad wrote. “This change will also give VCSP partners more chances to pursue opportunities for VMware Cloud Foundation in the regions they are authorized to serve.”

VCSP will run on three tiers: Pinnacle Partners, Premier Partners and Registered Partners.

The Pinnacle tier is being held to higher standards and include Broadcom helping to sell services into corporate customers. This tier is expected to be core to Broadcom CEO Hock Tan’s repeated focus on growing VMware revenues from large corporate accounts.

The Premier status includes regional-focused partners with “highly developed VMware practices and a consistent track record of delivering customer satisfaction.” Registered partners are those that hit minimum requirements for the Advantage Partners Program and work through higher tier partners to access VCF cloud services for their customers.

Broadcom also announced “VMware Cloud Commerce Managers” that handle order processes, including monthly billing for VCSP Pinnacle and Premier partners, and work with Premier partners on management and adoption of VCF services.

For resellers that are not admitted into the Advantage Partner Program, Broadcom is offering a “white label” model that allows them to work through Pinnacle or Premier partners. Mohammad said this will allow them to “deliver VMware Cloud Foundation entitlements to another VMware Cloud Service Provider in a non-branded manner, enabling the secondary VCSP partner to brand and deliver the service to their customers on their pre-existing hardware.”

This feature appears targeted at concerns that legacy VMware reseller partners that were not able to meet Broadcom’s new program standards would be left out in the dark.