NCS Swift Appliance Partner Program (NCSAPP) - What is it all about?

Devices that are commonly referred to as Server Appliances appeared on the horizon relatively recently. This was the result of the shift in the demand from general-purpose servers to more specific functional servers. Because of the increase in the complexity of networks, coupled with the heightened difficulties in managing them, businesses were forced to find ways in which server solutions could be easily deployed and maintained. Businesses wanted fully functional and easy to use internet infrastructure solutions from their server hardware vendors. These ready-to-function and easy to use solutions became known as "server appliances".

Server appliances are hardware platforms that are bundled with application software developed by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). They are tasked with providing specific types of functionality such as handling e-mail, providing for firewalls or virtual private networks (VPN), and so on. Increasingly, appliances are being utilized as Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, file switches, and the like, to reduce storage management problems faced by growing enterprises.

In the beginning, server appliance products were offered only by computer hardware manufacturers who partnered with Independent Software Vendors to sell bundled appliances to their existing customers. However, over the years, ISVs realized the importance of developing, branding, and selling their own "plug and play" appliances. The NCS Swift Appliance Partner Program (NCSAPP) addresses this new paradigm by offering to our ISV partners a quick and cost-effective way to bring their own branded server appliances to the marketplace.