Unified threat management vendor continues its A/NZ expansion with the formalisation of its New Zealand partner set-up.

Late last year, Fortinet opened a new office in Auckland and appointed Clive Levido as its New Zealand country manager.

Founded eight years ago, US-based vendor Fortinet has already grown its global workforce to exceed 1000 employees.

Charles Cote, regional director for Fortinet Australia and New Zealand, said of the firm’s local plans: “We started doing initial sales in Australia back in 2001 and we now have 100 silver partners, six to eight Gold partners and we hope to add some platinum partners soon too.

“We launched our Australian partner program last May, and we launch our New Zealand program in two weeks."

Fortinet will operate with a two-tier model in New Zealand, using MPA and Firewall Systems as its distributors.

“We will be doing roadshows across New Zealand, we have formal training in place and have a direct sales force to generate demand. We do no direct business, we do everything through the channel,” he said.

Cote added that it is relatively easy to become a Fortinet Silver partner, which enables partners to buy a certain amount of the vendor’s product line. However to get Gold status, partners need to be looking to “land the quarter of a million dollar deals”.