Microsoft has MVP, Citrix – CTP, Cisco – Cisco Champions, VMware – vExpert, EMC – Elect, and so on. Nutanix has just launched its Nutanix Technical Champion (NTC) program and applications are being accepted until November 15.

I was a Microsoft MVP for four years and have been a VMware vExpert since the beginning – for the past six years. I find these types of programs to be incredibly valuable. Benefits typically include things such as access to pre-release product information, special events, direct access to manufacturer top executives, speaking engagements and other publicity, etc.

Most importantly, these programs offer an opportunity to get to meet and interact with like-minded peers. The exchange of information that tends to take place can be very beneficial both for one’s company and for her/his own career path.

Nutanix is the fastest-growing infrastructure company of the past decade, and its web-scale technology is disrupting the datacenter status-quo in a manner comparable to what VMware did with virtualization ten years ago. Channel partner technical folks have a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the NTC, and to help revolutionize the way that datcenters are built and operate.