WatchGuard Technologies Awarded 5-Star Rating in CRN's 2015 Partner Program Guide For Second Year in a Row

SEATTLE, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WatchGuard Technologies, a global leader in multi-function security appliances, today announced it has been awarded a 5-Star rating in The Channel Company's CRN 2015 Partner Program Guide for the second year in a row. The annual directory is the definitive listing of technology vendors that service solution providers, or that provide products through the IT channel. The 5-Star Partner Program rating recognizes an elite subset of companies that offer solution providers the best partnering elements in their channel programs.

WatchGuard's channel program has thousands of partners around the world. Under the leadership of Alex Thurber, WatchGuard's worldwide vice president of sales and one of CRN's 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs, the company has continually launched initiatives to intensify the company's channel focus and reward partners. WatchGuard also introduced a key enhanced deal-registration program and a new, value-based partner program called WatchGuardONE, which is currently being rolled out worldwide.

To determine the 2015 5-Star recipients, The Channel Company's Research team assessed each vendor's application based on investments in program offerings, partner profitability, partner training, education and support, marketing programs and resources, sales support and communication.

"Solution providers have a lot of choices when it comes to selecting vendor partners. Identifying the right vendor, with the right technologies, and the right approach can make all the difference," said Robert Faletra, CEO, The Channel Company. "Our annual Partner Program Guide and 5-Star rating recognizes the best channel programs available in the market today to help solution providers determine which vendors deliver the best partner elements for their individual business goals."

"Given the pace and heat of the network security market, now more than ever our partners are looking for us to deliver the training and the technology they need to meet end-user demand in the market. It's particularly rewarding to be receiving this award for the second year in a row for the value we're delivering to our customers," said Thurber.

WatchGuardONE leverages a value-based model that places additional focus on reseller certification and training in addition to simply volume sales. The more partners invest in training the more WatchGuard invests in the partner's profitability. The program also includes other key up-front discounts and backend rebates, and lets all partners, regardless of size, choose their level of program involvement. Partners also have the flexibility to sell online, in-store or in-person, whatever works best for their customer-base. Complete program information is available here.

The 2015 Partner Program Guide will be featured in the April issue of CRN, and online at www.CRN.com.

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. is a global leader of integrated, multi-function business security solutions that intelligently combine industry standard hardware, best-of-breed security features, and policy-based management tools. WatchGuard provides easy-to-use, but enterprise-powerful protection to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. WatchGuard products are backed by WatchGuard LiveSecurity® Service, an innovative support program. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Wash. with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com.

For additional information, promotions and updates, follow WatchGuard on Twitter @WatchGuardTech on Facebook, or on the LinkedIn Company page.

WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

About The Channel Company
The Channel Company, with established brands including CRN, XChange Events, IPED and SharedVue, is the channel community's trusted authority for growth and innovation. For more than three decades, we have leveraged our proven and leading-edge platforms to deliver prescriptive sales and marketing solutions for the technology channel. The Channel Company provides Communication, Recruitment, Engagement, Enablement, Demand Generation and Intelligence services to drive technology partnerships. Learn more at www.thechannelcompany.com.

Contacts:
Kerry Desberg
WatchGuard Technologies
(206) 613-3760
[email protected]

Justin Hall
Voxus PR
253-444-5442
[email protected]

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SOURCE WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.watchguard.com