SonicWall CEO teases global rollout of partner programme amid Euro channel push

Global rollout of revamped partner programme slated for February

SonicWall has its sights set on European and global channel expansion after relaunching its revamped partner programme in the US in September.

According to CEO, Robert VanKirk, the cybersecurity vendor is sharply focused on helping its partners incorporate more services into their offer but meeting them where they are in their cybersecurity journey.

Having spent the better part of this year working on the SecureFirst programme relaunch, VanKirk tells CRN that a version of the partner programme is set to come to EMEA, LATAM and Asia in February.

"We've had a great response to the programme so far," he tells CRN.

"We're making an effort to really listen to our partners, both stateside and globally, and to develop SecureFirst in conversation with them."

So far, this has meant expanding the programme to include a simplified structure, whereby partners can tailor their collaboration to suit their needs and access certain benefits without training commitments.

The new programme also includes new procurement options, personalised support, two new partner tiered tracks and investment in what the cybersecurity firm refers to as "aggressive" discounts.

According to VanKirk, the structure of the February rollout will be global, but there will be "some geo-commercial differences" in the approach between NOAM, EMEA, LATAM and APJ.

The cybersecurity specialist has been meeting with established European partners ahead of the February launch, VanKirk explained, to gather support and feedback ahead of the launch.

In the UK, some of these on-the-ground supporters include London and Essex-HQ MSP Utilize, Manchester-based Apex Computing Services, and security reseller NetThreat.

In Germany, the vendor has gathered support from existing partners such as Tarador and Choin, and in Spain, the vendor will be looking to the likes of NUNSYS and White Oak Software.

The news comes on the heels of SonicWall promoting Michelle Ragusa-McBain, whom it poached from rival Cisco in May, to VP of global channels.