Expanding the Trophy Case: SonicWall Attains 5-Star Rating in 2021 CRN Partner Program Guide
Only three months into the start of a new year, SonicWall has now claimed its 18th industry-recognized accolade. The SonicWall SecureFirst partner program has received a 5-star rating in the 2021 CRN Partner Program Guide.
The honor is awarded to an exclusive group of companies that offer solution providers the best of the best, going above and beyond in their partner programs. This annual guide provides a conclusive list of the most distinguished partner programs from leading technology companies that provide products and services through the IT channel.
“At SonicWall, we listen,” said HoJin Kim, SonicWall SVP, Worldwide Channel, North American Sales. “We work incredibly hard to provide partners with everything they need in order to not only meet their yearly objectives, but exceed them. We hope to see our partners increase their use of partner playbooks and marketing campaigns in the new year and ingrain themselves in our partner community.”
The SonicWall SecureFirst program was modified this year to make it more inclusive of registered partners. Changes include acceptance of third-party certifications for the silver tier to recognize the rise of industry talent. The continuing education requirement was also reduced to allow more flexibility with enablement requirements, as was the number of gold partners to strengthen the program and partner relationships.
“As innovation continues to fuel the speed and intricacy of technology, solution providers need partners that can keep up and support their developing business,” said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. “CRN’s 2021 Partner Program Guide gives insight into the strengths of each organization’s program to recognize those that continually support and push positive change inside the IT channel.”
Given the importance of IT vendor channel programs, each year CRN develops its Partner Program Guide to provide the channel community with a detailed look at the partner programs offered by IT manufacturers, software developers, service companies and distributors. Vendors are scored based on investments in program offerings, partner profitability, partner training, education and support, marketing programs and resources, sales support, and communication.
In addition to its 5-star rating, SonicWall’s Bob VanKirk, HoJin Kim and Dave Bankemper were recently named to the annual CRN 2021 Channel Chiefs List, which recognizes leading IT channel vendor executives who continually demonstrate outstanding leadership, influence, innovation and growth. In March, the company was included on the outlet’s list of Top 100 Security Companies and took home 10 Globee® Awards in the 17th Annual 2021 Cybersecurity Global Excellence Awards®.
If you’re interested in more information on becoming a SonicWall partner, please visit, www.sonicwall.com/partners/become-a-partner.
