Symantec thins Platinum partner ranks by 80 per cent

Security and storage vendor restores classic pyramid structure as it finalises tiers for new programme

Fewer than one in five of Symantec's EMEA Platinum partners have retained their top-level badge under the vendor's new competency-based partner programme.

The security and backup vendor has now finalised the tiering for the new scheme, which sees it making bigger bets on fewer partners.

Although Symantec declined to break out raw numbers, the quantity of top-level Platinum partners has fallen by more than 80 per cent in EMEA, Mark Nutt, vice president of channel sales EMEA, revealed.

Meanwhile, Symantec's EMEA Gold partner tally has grown by 120 per cent, while Silver partners remain relatively static with a drop of seven per cent.

"This gives us much more of a pyramid structure, with those fewer Platinum partners offering a broader solution focus, and more partners focused on mid-market competencies – through introduction of new competencies and benefits alignment," Nutt (pictured) said.

"Rewards are focused on value and growing partners."