If you’re an MSP dining with a security vendor, don’t be so quick to reach for the check. These companies all want your business – bad! They can spot you the calamari.
It is a nice two-way relationship. MSPs can use security as the basis of a new discrete service, or to add protection to existing tools. And they can use it internally to keep themselves safe.
Sophos is the latest to pitch anew the lucrative MSP channel, announcing what it believes is a complete security partner solution for MSPs.
That’s why they call it Complete MSP Security, and it refers a new partner program built around Sophos software. Isn’t it great when a program name has real and direct meaning?
The service that underlies the program has a pay-as-you-go pricing model.
The company wasn’t shy about extolling its virtues, claiming that “Sophos Complete MSP Security is the first MSP-focused solution to offer complete protection for networks, endpoints and mobile devices from a single vendor.”
Sophos certainly isn’t new to the MSP space. It has an existing partner program that already serves that community.
Sophos already trains MSPs and claims an array of resources and tools to help this channel succeed, and help MSPs build their own brands in the managed security space.
The company also offers technical and sales certification training.
Sophos believes the program is breaking new ground. “MSPs can offer a full range of IT security services that provide instant credibility and proven protection, including centralized management that allows them to easily manage all of their customers’ locations at no extra charge,” the company said. “With Sophos’ new self-provisioning MSP licensing, this program offers compelling usage-based pricing and pay-as-you-go monthly billing, and it requires no up-front commitments – a business model demanded by today’s MSPs that had gone unmet – until now.”
Partners are ready to roll. “What Sophos is doing with their new MSP program is cutting edge and will be a major game changer for the entire industry,” said Shane Swanson, COO of CharTec. “Having the ability to have a true pay-as-you-go offering for our UTM offering is exactly what we as MSPs have been asking for from the industry. And it’s extremely rewarding to know that Sophos is not only listening to their partners, but taking action on our feedback.”
Another partner is bullish on the all-in-one outsourcing approach. “Our customers want total outsourced IT security that works, which is what any pragmatic business wants,” said Dan Ingling, IT/engineering manager for Line Systems, Inc. “Previously, we were challenged with delivering custom-tailored services from multiple vendors.”
PowerNET has been an MSP partner for the last four years. “Our clients love Sophos’ pay-as-you-go approach, which sees their monthly fee increase or decrease depending on the amount of endpoints covered – as opposed to the old method of guessing how many machines they need covered over time,” said Cameron Price, business development manager, PowerNET. “Our consultants love the Sophos MSP offering as they no longer have to monitor and manage multiple consoles across our client sites; that, coupled with the support offered by Sophos, is second to none.”
Edited by
Alisen Downey
