SOPHOS CALLS FOR SYMANTEC RESELLERS & PARTNERS TO JOIN ITS PARTNER PROGRAMME
IT security and control firm Sophos is calling for Symantec partners to join Sophos following news that Symantec allegedly plans to reduce its channel and cut out partners altogether for some of its largest accounts.
According to reports earlier this week from Johnson King, Symantec plans to sell direct to its top 700 accounts. Symantec COO, Enrique Salem, later pointed out these customers have always had the option of buying direct, but in April, Symantec is reported to have actively informed these customers of this option.
"To run a successful channel, you need to be committed to your partners' success, working with them to provide the best service to the customer - not alienating, or worse, eliminating the partner who's put in the work, once the deal has been signed,"
said Andrew Bradshaw, VP Sophos UK.
"We have been receiving several calls from disgruntled Symantec partners in the last few months. This debacle is likely to be the last straw for many of Symantec's partners, frustrated at the lack of support shown - one partner even told us that during the 15 years they'd been working with Symantec, they'd only received ONE visit the entire time!
"Sophos UK operates a one-tier partner programme with its channel continuing to grow profitably. With 2,500 partners currently signed up - a quarter of the UK's resellers - this is in direct contrast with other vendors that have been downsizing.
In November last year, Symantec laid off two key channel roles - Marlene Williamson, VP of Americas marketing and Erna Arnesen, VP global SMB and industry and partner marketing – while McAfee announced earlier this year that it was restructuring its channel account management team, giving rise to rumours that eight of its 11-strong UK channel team were facing redundancy.
