Symantec channel chief Fred Patterson

Symantec has updated the SMB specialization within its partner program, splitting off security and backup specialties and bringing more partner delivery models, including the cloud, under the program.

Until now, the company has offered a single SMB specialization that covers both of its main target fields. But it’s decided to split the two up both as an acknowledgement of the growing importance of the SMB opportunity to Symantec, and recognition of the fact that many of its SMB partners are focused on one solution track or the other, said Fred Patterson, director of channels at Symantec Canada.

“This is all part of our partnering strategy to build a motivated and enabled partner ecosystem,” Patterson said. “We’ve built this program to make sure that a partner that has interest and core solutions in one of those two areas benefits.”