Security vendor WatchGuard sweetened its partner program this week with steeper margins and deeper channel support.

The Unified Threat Management appliance vendor initiated a three-tier channel structure with sales volume requirements and corresponding discounts and support to incent partner activity and promote partners as experts in the network security field, the company announced April 26.

Enhancements to the WatchGuard Secure Partner program are designed to increase the potential for profit and make it easier for new VARs to expand their WatchGuard business, said David Ridout, WatchGuard’s vice president of worldwide sales, in a statement.

WatchGuard has enhanced its training materials, Webinars, marketing literature to promote partners as experts in the field and sales tools to boost profitability.

WSP partners also have access to WatchGuard’s LiveSecurity Service, which provides vulnerability alerts, security instruction from experts, and individualized and self-help customer care.

WatchGuard inked a deal earlier in April with D&H Distributors to disseminate its Firebox UTM appliance to SMB (small and midsize business) customers.