WatchGuard Technologies announced the expansion of the
WatchGuard FlexPay program to include fully automated, monthly billing for its
network security hardware and services. Available for both three-year and
pay-as-you-go terms, WatchGuard Subscriptions enable IT solution
providers to purchase the company's network security hardware and services from
participating distributors without a commitment or upfront costs, which is an
industry first. The updated FlexPay Program helps partners to procure
WatchGuard solutions in whatever method best matches how they transact with end
customers; this includes WatchGuard's existing one-
and three-year fixed term contracts, MSSP pre-paid points, and now flexible
monthly payments.
"MSPs
and resellers are increasingly leveraging monthly, pay-as-you-go options for
their customers, but because so few vendors and distributors offer compatible purchasing
structures, they're often faced with capital bottlenecks and cash flow issues,"
said Michelle Welch, senior vice president of marketing at WatchGuard. "As a
100% channel-focused company that's dedicated to partner support and
enablement, the new WatchGuard Subscriptions offering is designed to further
simplify, streamline and strengthen how our partners do business with
WatchGuard and meet their customers' security needs."
The
FlexPay program provides WatchGuardONE partners true purchasing flexibility,
with the freedom to select a pricing model that best suits their business -
whether that be traditional up-front purchases, monthly payment terms, or
pay-as-you-go models leveraging the company's award-winning MSSP points or the
new WatchGuard Subscriptions option. The pay-as-you-go subscription route will
be most appealing to IT solution providers looking to avoid time-consuming, costly and manual processes for purchasing
or leasing security solutions up front, and fixed-term contracts that limit
scalability. It can eliminate up-front expenses and long-term commitments for
hardware, and allow partners to suspend, activate, reassign and scale various
security services as customer needs change and grow over time.
WatchGuard is the only firewall vendor that has made hardware and
security services available through on an online marketplace with no minimum term
commitment or up-front costs. By removing unnecessary friction from purchasing
and billing cycles, the WatchGuard monthly subscriptions purchasing model helps
partners become more agile and flexible, and unlocks cash flow necessary for
streamlined business operations and maximum profitability.
"As a longtime
distribution partner, we've seen WatchGuard continually demonstrate its
customer-first mentality in the channel. Offering added purchasing flexibility
to customers through FlexPay's new monthly subscriptions is yet another example
of their commitment to partner success," said Reyna Thompson, senior vice
president, North American product management at SYNNEX. "We are pleased to be
the first to bring this innovative purchasing model
to market with WatchGuard."
Today, WatchGuard Subscriptions are available exclusively in the
U.S. through the SYNNEX Stellr online marketplace. Partners can purchase
pay-as-you-go subscriptions for tabletop and rackmount Fireboxes and desired security services through
the marketplace, utilizing easy ordering and subscription management.
WatchGuard will continue to adjust and build upon the purchasing
options available within the FlexPay Program over time to ensure partners have
access to pricing models that best suit their business needs and customers'
requirements. Existing WatchGuardONE partners interested in signing up for
monthly subscriptions should reach out to their designated channel account
manager.
WatchGuard Subscriptions will be available in other regions through
other distributors in 2020 and beyond. For those interested in becoming a
WatchGuardONE partner today,
click here.