Sophos unveils new partner programme, cherry picks from Astaro

Security outfit Sophos has lifted the lid on a new global partner programme, cherry picking aspects from the channel programme of Astaro.

The Sophos Partner Program will give its global network of partners access to its entire line of products, including the recently released UTM 9 service.

Updates to the programme will include three new certification courses to help partners sharpen technical and sales skills.  A newly refurbished partner portal will also give access to further on demand training modules.

Partners will also get their hands on a new quote and deal registration features, as well as being able to access customer relationship information.

The programme will also be split to accommodate the needs of both resellers and solutions providers, with separate tracks for each, as Sophos aims to support partners offering greater ranges of services.  Sophos described this as a “strategic focus” for the year.

James Vyvyan, UK&I Channel Director, told ChannelBiz that the new programme will help Sophos meet the varying needs of its wide partner base in the UK.

“Because the new programme is so flexible, it allows us to properly recognise both our high volume partners and also those partners – who actually transact the majority of our business – for whom Sophos is not a straight resale, but who use our products to provide their customers with a service.”

“In tandem, we’re also redesigning our products to fit better with the way in which our partners do business.”