John Thompson, Symantec

What it means: Companies looking to protect their IT infrastructures and data assets need a fiscally strong, proven vendor with a broad portfolio that can address a wide variety of needs. Solving customer security needs isn't just about antivirus, but firewall protection, intrusion-detection, vulnerability-management, secure remote control and PC-cloning,a broad, broad range of technologies.

VARBusiness' View: Thompson has transformed Symantec from a consumer-oriented software developer to a big enterprise problem-solver. And he's done so without upending partners. While his rivals Check Point Software, Network Associates, RSA and SonicWall have all hit stumbling blocks, Symantec has outperformed in a sector that only recently was considered a sure thing. Now he looks like a giant among mere mortals. One reason: He's obsessed with execution. But his message is good. It's easy for partners to understand, and, better yet, communicate to their customers, too. And given the company's breadth in products, there's ample opportunity for solution providers to deliver on that message.

Alfred Chuang, BEA Systems
Larry Ellison, Oracle