Guidelines to Apply

Business partnerships are an integral part of ESRI's go-to-market process. These are formal business relationships between ESRI and a partner company designed to better engage our ultimate end user community. As such, there is a legal contract mechanism.

The partner process involves a series of defined steps and procedures. Although this can take time, it is our goal to make the admittance process as straightforward and streamlined as possible.

The general steps involved in the process are

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First, choose the ESRI Business Partner Program segment that best fits your needs: consultant, developer, value-added reseller, or data provider.

Tip: Having an ESRI sponsor will accelerate the application process. A sponsor might be an ESRI sales representative; an industry solutions manager; a regional manager; a business partner development manager; or similar staff member at ESRI who knows your company, capabilities, and experience.

A Web-based general interest form is completed by you, the prospective business partner, and e-mailed to the ESRI Business Partner Group at our headquarters in Redlands, California.

Tip: Be sure to include your company URL or Web site address. Fill out the interest form thoroughly. Please use descriptive text instead of listing Web links. We encourage you to add as much information to the interest form as possible.

Within five business days, your interest form is reviewed. Based on the factors included in your response, a decision to further engage will be made by the ESRI Initial Review team. You will be notified accordingly.

Tip: Be sure to include your e-mail address.

A decision to proceed will result in ESRI providing you with a formal application to the program. This is a comprehensive information request including business references, financial references, and documentation on your GIS capabilities.

Tip: Be complete in your responses. Anything less slows the process.

Your application is extensively reviewed by the ESRI Business Partner review team. You will be notified accordingly.

Tip: If you are applying to the Consultant Program, be sure to include your project descriptions as these are used to measure your GIS capabilities.

If approved, appropriate program fees (in all cases) and any software license fees (if applicable) are due.

Tip: Initial fee is $1,000 for the first year, then $500 annually thereafter.

Upon receipt of the fees, final agreements are executed, a formal acceptance package is sent, and your software order is processed.

Welcome to the ESRI Business Partner Program.

Tips for Each Program

When filling out the interest forms for the following programs, make note of the tips below.

Data Provider Program

It is important that you have commercial data available to sell. You may want to explore the Geography Network at www.geographynetwork.com to see if you can utilize this resource.

Consultant Program

The Consultant Program is about providing services. When filling out the application for the program, be sure to include the projects you have completed. Without this information, the review process is lengthened.

Developer Program

It always helps to have a COTS product in the works when showing interest in this program. Note: You do not need to establish a developer relationship if you are developing with MapObjects, but it might be helpful depending on the circumstances.

Value-Added Reseller Program

Not only is it important to resell ESRI technology, but it is also important that you can provide services such as consulting, training, installation, and assistance. We would like to emphasize that experience is important in this program.