Sophos Launches New Comprehensive Partner Program

Integrated program with Astaro partners offers new training tracks, certifications to drive partner success

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. July 30, 2012 – Sophos today unveiled its comprehensive new Partner Program, which offers partners new and more hands-on programs, partnership tracks, certifications, and new incentives, further ensuring their success. The Sophos Partner Program integrates the best aspects of Sophos’ past programs with the most successful components of Astaro’s; and all partners have the opportunity to offer Sophos’ entire line of products, including the recently released UTM 9 solution, which integrates endpoint protection into the gateway.

This program transcends complete security, a unique value proposition within the industry.
Sophos has created enablement programs to provide in-depth technical and sales training, including three new certification courses designed to help partners develop and hone these skills. Additional on-demand training modules are available on a newly redesigned and optimized partner portal, giving partners increased control over their training and development. These training modules will offer partners added control and higher touches throughout the sales cycle. The new partner portal also offers a new quote and deal registration feature as well as access to customer relationship information.

“We initially partnered with Sophos because they truly understand the needs of solution providers and resellers,” said Stephan Van Der Ploog, managing partner, Candoris Technologies. “I felt the original program was already competitive, but the addition of these training programs and certifications, and the chance to offer integrated, best-in-class network security offerings, makes this new program the most compelling in the industry.”

Unlike traditional partner programs, the Sophos Partner Program is designed to accommodate different business models with partnership tracks for resellers and solution providers. Partners can select the partnership track that best fits their individual business goals and needs. The solution provider track benefits partners looking to offer additional services, a strategic focus for Sophos in the coming year. Each track allows partners to participate at a specific partnership level, determined by their level of involvement in the partner program and participation in training programs.

“We are focused one hundred percent on partners; they are the life blood of our organization so it is crucial for us to continue making significant investments in our channel,” said Stuart Fisher, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Sophos. “We are very excited about this program, which we feel will generate tremendous success for our growing global partner base. No other vendor in the industry offers the breadth and depth of award-winning complete security solutions that, coupled with new pricing models and more hands-on tracks and training, will provide partners with the best opportunity to succeed.”