FAST launches partner program

Fast Search & Transfer has formed the FAST X10 Partner Program, which it describes as a significant initiative designed to further enhance its footprint in the marketplace and progress toward making the FAST Enterprise Search Platform the de facto enterprise search technology.

The launch of the FAST X10 Partner Program coincides with the one year anniversary of the launch of FAST InStream, an OEM-specific enterprise search solution developed specifically to meet the complex application-based search requirements of independent software vendors (ISVs). Among the partners that have selected FAST InStream during the past year are EMC Centera, Siebel Systems, Computer Associates, EMC Documentum and Stellent.

FAST says that central to the channel business and the partner program is the company's commitment to working with partners to build solutions based on FAST ESP as a foundation. The company adds that it's leveraging mutual relationships between OEM and system integration partners to form a collaborative approach to solution building that is based on best-of-breed hardware, software and services offerings. Defining this strategy as "channel triangulation," the approach is said to enable system integrators and OEM partners to work together to develop value-added solutions and search derivative applications (SDAs) for their customers.

To support FAST X10 partners, the company also offers dedicated engagement services, including a rapid integration team, search best-practices consulting, product training through FAST University and dedicated sales and marketing teams.