Symantec Multi-level SaaS Partner Program

Symantec Corp. announced the formalization of a comprehensive partner program developed to help partners of all sizes generate recurring revenue streams from sales of Symantec’s subscription-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings. The Symantec Protection Network Partner Program extends Symantec’s Partner Program with a specialization developed for partners focused on selling Software-as-a-Service.

The Symantec Protection Network Partner Program defines two formal program levels with participation criteria and benefits to partners who sell Symantec SaaS offerings. The Select partner level allows any Symantec partner to resell Symantec Protection Network online services and benefit from automated service account provisioning and billing. Select partners act as authorized sales agents and make use of Symantec’s automated online portal.

The Premier partner level is available to Symantec Gold, Platinum or Silver Corporate Reseller Partners who have shown a commitment to developing SaaS revenue streams. Premier partners receive higher commissions and are trained by Symantec to provide comprehensive sales, ordering and service management support to their customers. Premier partners also benefit from the flexibility to transact as an authorized sales agent or through a more traditional reseller buying model.

“Symantec is committed to taking a leadership role with its Partners by building the new businesses processes required to support the delivery of SaaS solutions through the channel,” said Randy Cochran, vice president, North America channel sales, Symantec. “We have and will continue to learn from our partners how they want to sell SaaS solutions and we have put the infrastructure and programs in place to enable all our partners to build SaaS businesses.”

The two-level program is available to partners located in North America and is expected to be rolled out internationally as the Symantec Protection Network expands into new geographical regions.

The Symantec Protection Network platform delivers Symantec technologies to customers as online services through an integrated portal that provides a common user experience and simplifies IT administration. By leveraging the Symantec Protection Network platform, all program partners will have the ability to easily sell Symantec Protection Network offerings, provision customer accounts and monitor account usage, creating opportunities for enhancing customer relationships.

Today, Symantec Protection Network offers three online services: Symantec Online Backup, Symantec Online Storage for Backup Exec and Symantec Online Remote Access. In the future, Symantec expects to add messaging and Web security offerings following the close of the recently announced acquisition of MessageLabs, the market leader in online message security. As Symantec Protection Network continues to develop and integrate innovative online services that leverage Symantec’s broad array of market-leading software products, partners will benefit from a extensive portfolio of online and hybrid online / on premise SaaS solutions, they can offer to their customers to generate recurring revenue streams.

“The Symantec Protection Network Partner Program provides En Pointe with the capabilities and support required to deliver enterprise class applications to our customers in an on-demand model,” said Michael Rapp, vice president of sales and marketing at En Pointe Technologies. “Through the program, and the tools provided by Symantec, we have been able to provide an additional option for customers to rapidly deploy solutions and simplify the budgetary process. Customers can continue to expect En Pointe to be on the forefront of innovation and as a knowledgeable and experienced solutions provider.”

“Our clients require a simple-to-order and easy-to-manage set of on-demand services as part of their overall data protection strategy,” said Dave Casillo, senior vice president, strategic partnerships and marketing, Insight Enterprises, Inc. “The Symantec Protection Network Partner Program enables us to further develop our client relationships and act as a trusted advisor for the delivery and maintenance of their SaaS solutions.”

“Symantec understands that on-demand software is a huge opportunity for resellers. The combination of buying models provided through the Symantec Protection Network Partner program will help position PC Mall to capitalize on this opportunity,” said Gertrud Pillay, vice president marketing of PC Mall. “By leveraging the Symantec Protection Network platform we are able to automate our customers’ initial service purchases and then provide additional purchasing options as their current service demand evolves or additional on-demand services offerings become available.”