Protego Uncorks Partner Program

Called Pro Advantage, the reseller program promises juicer margins to participating solution providers as well as lead generation, sales collateral and market development funds "to jump-start sales opportunities," said Scott Gordon, vice president of marketing at Protego, in a statement. The program carries a $5,500 membership fee.

Protego's PN-MARS appliances are designed to help administrators in companies of all sizes identify, manage and eliminate network attacks. The products range in price from $10,000 to $90,000, depending on the required network functionality, the Milpitas, Calif.-based company said.

Protego partners with network hardware giant Cisco Systems. Chris Fairbanks, principal network architect at Eplus, a Cisco VAR and Pro Advantage charter partner in Herndon, Va., said the primary value of the PN-MARS appliances is to help his firm upsell Cisco security products.

"From a presales standpoint, Protego helps us sell more Cisco security gear," Fairbanks said. "I want to know when there is a security problem when first engaging with a customer, and [Protego] helps us tie in all the Cisco security solutions."

Pro Advantage partners can obtain a not-for-resale appliance at half price. Margins are based on sales volume and a requirement that calls for maintaining trained sales and support representatives. Protego also will also share regional leads from marketing activities such as Web seminars, trade shows and online inquiries, Gordon said.