Security Solutions- Microsoft is the King

Though Symantec is the favorite of channel partners for its security software products, Microsoft has been endorsed by most solution providers for its security solutions. It has been rated as the most preferred brand in the segment, leaving behind the likes of Symantec, Cisco, and McAfee. In fact, this is for the first time in the recent years that Microsoft has managed to achieve this feat.

Solution providers are of the opinion that Microsoft products are not only technologically sound and scalable, but the company is constantly involved in bringing out innovative products and solutions in the market. Microsoft's geographical reach and ability to bring innovations in the market development programs also gives it several brownie points. Besides, the company's clarity of pricing contract, ability to maintain flexibility of commercial terms, and promptness in communicating the schemes/incentive programs have fairly impressed the solution providers. And though it is lagging behind its closest competitor in providing overall online support to its solution providers, it has been very prompt with the turnaround time. Partners are also of the view that Microsoft regularly conducts periodic reviews of engagement and has been effectively managing disruption due to change in personnel. As for Symantec, it gets maximum endorsements from the solution providers over the security aspects of its products and price of the offerings. It is also ahead of its competitors in responsiveness and availability of service personnel and having an effective online partner portal. The company is further leading the pack by being consistent in honoring commitments made by its personnel to the solution providers.

Although Cisco does knowledge sharing from timeto- time, has allocated funds for marketing, and is quite fair on claims settlement, a little more effort in managing disruption and conducting periodic reviews of engagement along with proper product/service demonstration, could have helped the company match up to the likes of Microsoft and Symantec.

McAfee has found a few takers amongst the solution providers because of its overall product/service reliability, technical expertise, credit facility, proactive advertising strategy, richness of online resources, and consistency and effectiveness of communication with SIs. However, it needs to be very prompt in communicating the schemes/incentive programs to its partners along with bringing innovations in its market development programs.