IT security specialist Foursys has grabbed the title of first Platinum Solution Partner under Sophos’ recently overhauled channel partner programme.
Sophos unveiled its new programme in July, which was re-designed to accommodate different business models, with partners selecting the partnership track that best suits them – reseller or solution provider.
Cambridge-based Foursys had been a Sophos Platinum Partner before the re-launch. Explaining the new status, the firm’s marketing manager, Andy Wool explains: “The ‘solution provider’ track allows us to offer additional services and a strategic Sophos focus to ensure our customers continue to receive the best service possible.”
“Platinum solution status is the highest level of Sophos technical accreditation and sales education,” comments Jonathan Bartholomew, channel sales manager for Sophos UK&I, who maintains the partner programme is designed to create and maintain long-term relationships.
“Becoming accredited as a Platinum solution partner allows partners to provide customers with additional services,” he says. “…Plus, as Sophos continues to invest in and acquire new technologies, there are clear opportunities to revisit customer.”
The new programme also incorporates parts of acquisition Astaro’s channel programme – and Foursys had to restructure its training accordingly. According to Wool, the VAR invests in a “comprehensive internal training programme for both sales and technical staff [involving] full day intensive sessions with our technical director and our other Sophos sales engineers who help carry out the training and role play in sales meeting environments and technical support telephone enquiries.”
