Fortinet launches partner program

Security outfit Fortinet has announced a formal partner program and was on the hunt for new resellers following the appointment of new country manager Ben Teh.

The company would recruit partners to provide security expertise and better geographic coverage for the vendor.

The program includes Platinum, Gold and Silver tiers. Resellers can earn Platinum status based on their revenue commitment - which varies with each partner -- and their history working within certain industry verticals.

These partners are also required to have at least two security-focused technical and sales staff. "With this partner program we're trying to minimise [channel conflict] by looking at the core strengths of [each] company," he said.

Gold partners have lower revenue commitments. "With a Gold partner we can monitor their progress and see what resources they're able to put in and build them up to Platinum. The kind of support that comes from us is basically lead generation activities," he said.

Registered Silver partners interface with Fortinet distributors LAN 1 and Dovetail for product purchases and support requests. All partners buy through distribution.

Price concessions are available to resellers that achieve specific performance criteria, the company said.

Fortinet's first Platinum partner under the new program was MCI Datacom, a managed security provider which bundles Fortinet products with other services such as internet access, reporting and 24x7 support.

Teh is also looking to hire more staff. Former DiData employee Jason Whyte is the new southern region channel manager covering Victoria and South Australia. He is on the hunt for another Sydney-based staffer to look after channels in NSW and Queensland.

The company announced Teh's appointment on Monday following the sudden departure in May of security expert Peter Sandilands.