Symantec launches new online training

Security vendor Symantec has launched new online training modules combining the security vendor's content with that of storage outfit, Veritas.

David Blackman, regional director alliance and channel at Symantec said channel partners will have access to five new, complimentary sales training modules and assessments via Symantec's online partner portal, PartnerNet.

This will be followed by 13 additional sets that will be released in the first week of August.

Symantec has also added a new Partner Locator to its website, which will make the details of Silver, Gold and Platinum partners available through a search function, said Blackman.

“The latest partner program changes represent the second phase of Symantec's plans to update it channel partnerships,” said Blackman.

“The first was phase was rolled out two months ago. These changes were made by teams in different regions and took a long time, money and effort to get right.”

Blackman said a third phase of program enhancements was scheduled but he was unable to confirm whether it would be made available by end of year.

He reiterated that the channel is still viable for the vendor, despite its recent moves towards a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model for consumer products.

He said no matter what the security vendor did “it would involve the channel”.

“It's [SaaS] still pretty early days. We are channel centric and SaaS is just another method to sell products,” he said.

“If I look at [our range of products] the fastest growing segment is the high end with serious margins to be made by partners.

"[Partners] can make up to nine percent margin, with rebates added on top of what ever they make.”