Symantec zones in on SME space

New standalone unit should help ramp up partners' small business sales

Symantec says the move will give small business more visibility

Symantec is launching a small business arm to drive up channel revenues among sub-100 employee firms.

The unit, which will have its own sales team and revenue quota, will go live at the beginning of the security and storage vendor’s financial year in April. Symantec also plans to launch an accompanying small business channel programme within six months.

Ross Walker, territory channel manager UK and Ireland, said: “The visibility we are giving to small business is increasing greatly.”

The accompanying partner programme will include marketing and lead referral incentives.

Helen Wood, channel sales director for Symantec, said: “It has already launched in the US but it wasn’t quite right for Europe so we are putting a bit more ammunition in it.”

Alice Smitheman, product marketing director at Symantec distributor Computer 2000, said: “A lot of software vendors are looking at how they can unlock small business to increase their market penetration.”