On a daily basis, I work with Sun's ISV partners and open source communities to help them adopt Sun technology and make sure that their software works best on Sun. One of the areas that I have been focusing on lately is MySQL. Many of the ISVs / open source communities that I have been talking to recently are either just starting to look at MySQL (due to customer demand) or are trying to make their relationship with MySQL more formal. Something that seems to be of interest to them is the MySQL Enterprise Connection Alliance Program (MECA). MECA is MySQL's partner program, which is geared toward supporting businesses that sell, service, and support and/or build solutions on MySQL Enterprise, or provide solutions based on MySQL database technologies. There are different membership levels, but the base level, called MySQL Enterprise Ready Partner, is free of charge, and provides access to software (for developmental purposes) as well as the knowledge base. Additionally, it includes a listing in the MySQL Partner site. If you think you qualify, register now.
Unfortunately, the MySQL partner programs explicitly note that partners cannot talk about the MySQL Community Edition.
This means that many key experts in the MySQL community cannot be partners, or if they are will essentially be breaking their partnership agreement. I know of at least one case where the latter has occurred.
While I appreciate that Sun/MySQL wants to promote Enterprise, I do think this is a hindrance. It would be my suggestion to ditch that clause from the partnership agreement.
In the mean time, I regard my inability to partner as an honour, it means I know a heck of a lot about MySQL, and am active in the MySQL Community, including with the MySQL Community Edition of the server.
Posted by Arjen Lentz on November 18, 2008 at 06:35 PM PST #
Arjen is specifically referring to:
https://partner-portal.mysql.com/guide/MECA_partner_program_guide.pdf
page 8, where it says:
"Today, achieving MySQL Enterprise Certification for your technology could not be easier. To get certified, you will need to:
1. Join the MECA program
2. Test your product with MySQL Enterprise
3. Post the tested and supported version of your product on your MECA partner page
4. Reference “MySQL Enterprise [tested version]” as the supported database from MySQL (not “MySQL” or “MySQL Community Edition”) in your marketing (e.g., product sheets, specifications, web site, customer announcements…)"
But that's talking about getting the "MySQL Enterprise Certification", which is different from the partner program.
From page 22:
"Focused advertising of MySQL Enterprise
Upon completion of the above steps, you may use the MySQL Enterprise Certified logo while referring to “MySQL Enterprise [tested version]” as the supported database from MySQL in your product sheets, specifications, web site, customer announcements, etc.
You may not use the terms “MySQL” or “MySQL Community Edition”, which refer to unsupported versions and fall outside the partner program.
To obtain the MySQL Enterprise Certified logo, or for more information on how to become MySQL Enterprise Certified, email partner@mysql.com."
This totally makes sense, as you're certified on Enterprise, not anything else.
Specifically from the FAQ on page 22:
"Do all servers need to run MySQL Enterprise, or can some still run MySQL Community
Edition?
• By joining the Authorized Hosting program, partners agree to offer their customers the most secure, reliable and up-to-date version of the MySQL database through MySQL Enterprise. Generally, Hosting partners must include all your entitled servers running MySQL in your reporting. If in some cases, the application environment requires you to stay on Community Edition versions of MySQL, Hosting partners may still run on this version under the same terms and conditions as MySQL Enterprise."
But again, that's the Authorized Hosting program, NOT the MECA program in general.
The "Consulting Services" on page 4 specifies that you must recommend MySQL Enterprise, but nothing about not talking about Community. I recommend products at the appropriate times, and if someone asked about my recommendations for software I'd mention both Community and Enterprise, which is allowed.
Don't forget to read the fine print, and don't overgeneralize or repeat things you've heard without verifying!
Posted by Sheeri K. Cabral on November 19, 2008 at 03:00 AM PST #
@Sheeri: Thanks for your comments.
@ Arjen: To be a partner, you do not have to test with Enterprise. That is not a requirement. The certification, as Sheeri mentioned, is where you begin to see some of the restrictions.
Posted by Jennifer Glore on November 19, 2008 at 10:20 AM PST #