Check Point Unveils New Partner Portal, Channel Programs

The security software vendor is expected to unveil the new portal and designation here at Check Point Experience, one in a series of partner and user events.

Dubbed Check Point PartnerMAP, the new portal provides business tools, as well as sales, marketing and product information, said Jim Lima, senior manager of worldwide channel marketing at Check Point, which has U.S. headquarters is in Redwood City, Calif. The portal also allows partners to manage and track customer orders, manage their profiles on the vendor's Partner Locator, and order and deliver evaluation software to customers.

"This is really a driver of business productivity and knowledge transfer by putting tools and information in front of our partners to help them grow their businesses," Lima said.

PartnerMAP also allows partners to provide personalized information to staffers, depending on their duties, such as technical support information. Future plans for the portal, which is now live, include automatic alert notifications of customer subscription expirations, realtime lead status and expanded online-ordering capabilities.

The new Platinum partner designation aims to reward solution providers that are committed to investing in Check Point, Lima said. Check Point President Jerry Ungerman disclosed plans for the designation last month (see related story).

The designation is by invitation and given to partners that invest in Check Point technical and sales resources, Lima said. The company expects to grant the designation to between 50 and 100 partners worldwide, all of which will be Check Point Certified Support Partners, he said. Platinum partners will receive additional co-op funds, rebates for meeting sales targets and more joint-marketing activities, among other benefits.

A new "Check Points" reward program will be available to all partners, Lima said. Partners will receive points for joint-marketing activities, attaining certifications and meeting sales forecasts. They'll also be rewarded with a training certificate valued at about $5,000.

The program gives partners the ability to train more employees on Check Point and raise their status with the company, Lima said.