LAS VEGAS – SonicWALL Peak Performance has been a highlight of my conference schedule for many years. It was only 10 or so years ago I met two longtime friends because of Peak. Ernie Sherman, who runs an IT company in Ottawa named Fuelled Networks, and Todd Crystal, AKA Johnny Vegas from Montreal’s Spencomp Solutions. These two guys helped shape the person I am today. All because we met through SonicWALL’s event at Caesar’s Palace many years ago.
I was fortunate to sit down with Todd Crystal at Peak Performance this year and catch up with him. It has been years since Todd and I have spoken face-to-face, and it was great to share some time with him and get up to speed on how Spencomp’s relationship with SonicWALL is going.
Spencomp continues to be a strong supporter of SonicWALL. Even through the Dell years, Crystal and his team have been loyal partners. There is a real need for businesses to have a robust security platform. Spencomp saw the writing on the wall at that first Peak Performance and decided to make an investment in security.
“Anyone can sell a server,” says Crystal, “We (Spencomp) focus more on security. It is not a commodity like a server, workstation, or a laptop. It is a solution sell, and therefore more opportunity for Spencomp to provide something our clients will appreciate.”
Small companies and enterprises throughout Canada understand that cyber security protection is a necessity. Threats such as ransomware have thrusted the need and understanding for security solutions to the forefront.
“Gone are the days of having to sell firewalls,” Crystal continued. “Our clients and prospects know they need to have security in place and have come to trust the SonicWALL brand, and Spencomp remains strong with SonicWALL.”
Another key driver according to Crystal is “The Cloud”. Many businesses now have more than one cloud solution. They have a Cloud-based CRM or ERP solution, Microsoft Office 365, or other solutions, and downtime is no longer an option. SonicWALL solutions, according to Todd, extends the functionality of making sure a client’s Internet connectivity remains “always on.” Todd goes on to remind his customers that they are only as good as their weakest point.
Another trend Spencomp is observing is the amount of his customers large and small that make the move to remote technologies. Secure remote access is a growing trend with his client base and SonicWALL hits another home run in this department.
When I asked Crystal “Why SonicWALL?”, his answer was “SonicWALL allows us to sell the right product versus selling the wrong product. We don’t get bit in the butt.” Todd makes this bold statement, “SonicWALL is a brand you can risk your reputation on.”
What about the future of SonicWALL? Todd and his team at Spencomp are comfortable with where SonicWALL is headed. “Parents get divorced and remarry. As long as SonicWALL keeps investing in the product and the partners, all is good.”
SonicWALL is re-investing in Canada by having a new country manager and other resources to help partners in Canada.
