Developer System Access
IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE Partner Network

Grow your business on the platform that runs 70% of the world’s transactions by value *

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What is Partner Network

IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE Partner Network (ZLPN) is a program for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to efficiently port, validate and promote applications. ISVs can access no–cost/low-cost development environments, apply for discounts on software and system capacity, leverage promotional resources and list on IBM Marketplaces.

Why IBM Z / IBM LinuxONE

IBM Z / IBM LinuxONE are designed for premier data serving and transaction processing and are optimized for the most demanding workloads. These systems feature the IBM Telum™ processor, with on-chip integrated AI accelerators to predict and automate at unprecedented speed and scale. Clients rely on IBM Z for mission-critical workloads including 77 of the world’s top 100 banks.^**

Partner Network Benefits

System access

Gain quick system access to validate and optimize applications on IBM Z / IBM LinuxONE

Go to market resources

Expand market reach with access to sales, marketing and business development programs

Marketplace access

Leverage IBM and Red Hat® Marketplaces to promote ISV solutions and grow revenue streams

System access

Validation Programs

Continuous Remote Development Program

On-premises Development Program

Early Access Programs

Welcome to the world of IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE! Now you can request, limited-time access to IBM Z or IBM LinuxONE environments to build or port your applications to your preferred environment – IBM z/OS, Linux on IBM Z or IBM LinuxONE and RedHat OpenShift. The environments are for the purpose of building or porting your applications on IBM Z / IBM LinuxONE environments only.

Validate IBM z/OS applications
Build and test your applications on IBM z/OS and validate for new versions of IBM hardware and software.

Integrate and test Linux applications

Bring security and resiliency to business applications and reap the benefits of hybrid cloud with IBM LinuxONE or Linux on IBM Z

Validate cloud-native applications with Red Hat OpenShift
Build scalable cloud-native applications with Red Hat OpenShift (RHOS) on IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE

Protect sensitive data in the cloud
Build secure applications using IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Services powered by IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE

Get started

The IBM Z Remote Development Program (RDP) provides Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) with remote access to virtual system environments for the purpose of developing, porting, and testing applications that run on IBM Z platforms. The RDP offering is structured for the partner to be largely self-reliant with minimal assistance from IBM. Participants in the offering assume the role of system and security administrator for their chosen virtual guest system environment and are expected to have the necessary system skills to operate in the environment.

Available virtualized environments

Operating system	Version	Remote Development Program fees
z/OS	z/OS 3.1 z/OS 2.5 z/OS 2.4	The RDP fees for z/OS and z/VM systems are based on a minimum monthly fee and actual CPU usage, as reported by z/VM. The CPU usage is measured in “workunits”, which are designed to roughly provide the equivalent of one (1) real, non-dedicated hour of total processor time on an IBM 2003-225 processor. The minimum monthly program fee is $550 USD, and it includes: ✓ Initial system set-up ✓ Environmental support ✓ Up to 30 workunits of CPU usage each calendar month ✓ 10 Gigabytes of ‘user’ disk (DASD) space
z/VM	z/VM	Same as above
Linux on Z	Red Hat® Enterprise Linux 9 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Ubuntu Server for IBM Z	The RDP fees for all virtual guest system Linux distributions are based on the number of shared CPs defined to the system and allocated disk space (DASD). The base minimum monthly charge for each Linux virtual system is $125 USD, and it includes: ✓ 1 vCPU ✓ 2G Virtual Memory ✓ 50GB disk

Get started

The IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE On-premises Development Program lowers the cost of development and expands market reach for ISVs who collaborate with IBM to drive the success of the IBM Z and LinuxONE platform. Program participants earn discounts on IBM Z software and system capacity consistent with their level of engagement. Benefits and criteria vary depending on the type and purchased capacity of the development systems enrolled.

Ready Tier

Criteria

Comply with published program requirements
Sign formal program terms and conditions
Maintain hardware currency of at least N-1
Join ISV Ecosystem User Group
Complete 1 skills specialization annually
Earn 2 IBM Z Advocacy Badges per calendar year

Benefits

50% discount on eligible IBM software products

Advanced Tier

Criteria

Fulfill Ready tier criteria
Complete 1 additional skills specialization (2 total) annually
Publish at least 1 customer reference annually highlighting customer’s positive experience with IBM Z platform
Maintain dedicated landing page on company website highlighting IBM Z solutions
Exhibit high strategic and relationship fitness
Earn 2 IBM Z Advocacy Badges per calendar quarter including at least 1 Influencer badge per calendar year

Benefits

100% discount on eligible IBM software products
Loaned hardware capacity at a buy-one-MSU-get-one-MSU rate on all new system purchases as well as vertical upgrades
5 specialty engines loaned with each new system purchase with option for additional buy-one-get-one engine loans

Ready Tier

Criteria

Comply with published program requirements
Sign formal program terms and conditions
Maintain hardware currency of at least N-1
Join ISV Ecosystem User Group
Complete 1 skills specialization annually
Earn 2 IBM Z Advocacy Badges per calendar year

Benefits

50% discount on eligible IBM software products

Advanced Tier

Criteria

Fulfill Ready tier criteria
Complete 1 additional skills specialization (2 total) annually
Publish at least 1 customer reference annually highlighting customer’s positive experience with IBM Z platform
Maintain dedicated landing page on company website highlighting IBM Z solutions
Exhibit high strategic and relationship fitness
Demonstrate IBM Z revenue contribution
Earn 2 IBM Z Advocacy Badges per calendar quarter including at least 1 Influencer badge per calendar year

Benefits

75% discount on eligible IBM software products
Loaned hardware capacity at a buy-one-MSU-get-one-MSU rate on all new system purchases as well as vertical upgrades
5 specialty engines loaned with each new system purchase with option for additional buy-one-get-one engine loans

Premier Tier

Criteria

Fulfill Advanced tier criteria
Publish at least 1 additional customer reference (2 total) annually highlighting customer’s positive experience with IBM Z platform
Provide evidence of ongoing currency and modernization efforts
Demonstrate growth initiatives for the IBM Z platform
Create and execute formal plan for ongoing IBM Z advocacy activities
Earn 4 IBM Z Advocacy Badges per calendar quarter including at least 2 Influencer badges per calendar year

Benefits

100% discount on eligible IBM software products
Loaned hardware capacity at a buy-one-MSU-get-two-MSUs rate on all new system purchases as well as vertical upgrades
10 specialty engines loaned with each new system purchase with option for additional buy-one-get-one engine loans

Ready Tier

Criteria

Comply with published program requirements
Sign formal program terms and conditions
Maintain hardware currency of at least N-1
Join ISV Ecosystem User Group
Complete 1 skills specialization
Earn 2 IBM Z Advocacy Badges per calendar year

Benefits

50% discount on eligible IBM software products
3 IFLs loaned with each new system purchase

Advanced Tier

Criteria

Fulfill Ready tier criteria
Complete 1 additional skills specialization (2 total) annually
Publish at least 1 customer reference annually highlighting customer’s positive experience with IBM LinuxONE platform
Maintain dedicated landing page on company website highlighting IBM LinuxONE solutions
Exhibit high strategic and relationship fitness
Demonstrate IBM LinuxONE revenue contribution
Create and execute formal plan for ongoing IBM LinuxONE advocacy activities
Earn 2 IBM Z Advocacy Badges per calendar quarter including at least 1 Influencer badge per calendar year

Benefits

100% discount on eligible IBM software products
Loaned hardware capacity at a buy-one-IFL-get-one-IFL rate on all new system purchases as well as vertical upgrades
5 bonus IFLs loaned with each new system purchase

Criteria

Comply with published program requirements
Sign formal program terms and conditions
Join ISV Ecosystem User Group

Benefits

Access to Application Developer Controlled Distribution software bundle (annual subscription fee applies)
100% discount on select IBM software products

Get started

1. Register for IBM Partner Plus
Each individual must be registered under the partner company

Register for Partner Plus

2. Already an IBM Partner Plus member?
Register for IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE Partner Network (ZLPN)

Register for ZLPN

3. Already registered for ZLPN?

System Access

Additional open source software programs

IBM LinuxONE Open Source Software Cloud Program

Apply for Linux-based virtual machines for open source projects through the IBM LinuxONE Open Source Software Cloud Program.

Apply now

IBM z/OS Open Source Development, Test and CI/CD Pipeline Program

Apply for no-cost access to an IBM Z System environment to quickly and easily verify your open source on z/OS. You can also set up a longer-term validation pipeline for your open source.

Apply now

Engage with IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE community

Join our community of IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE ISVs and other partners, clients and advocates to showcase solutions, share knowledge and exchange ideas
Join the IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE community

Give LinuxONE a test drive today with the IBM LinuxONE Community Cloud
Join the IBM LinuxONE Community Cloud

Developer System Access IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE Partner Network

What is Partner Network

Why IBM Z / IBM LinuxONE

Partner Network Benefits

System access

Go to market resources

Marketplace access

System access

Get started

Additional open source software programs

IBM LinuxONE Open Source Software Cloud Program

IBM z/OS Open Source Development, Test and CI/CD Pipeline Program

Engage with IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE community

* IBM mainframes run an estimated 70% of all world transactions by value. Source: Operationalizing Fraud Prevention on IBM z16™, Celent, 2022** 77 of the world’s top 100 banks estimated using 2023 S&P list compared to IBM internal install base list

Developer System Access
IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE Partner Network

^* IBM mainframes run an estimated 70% of all world transactions by value.Source: Operationalizing Fraud Prevention on IBM z16™, Celent, 2022^**77 of the world’s top 100 banks estimated using 2023 S&P list compared to IBM internal install base list