Eleven Things Symantec Needs to Fix Today

With the ousting of Symantec CEO Enrique Salem, change is the order of the day at Symantec. Here's a quick list of some of the issues the company needs to address to make things better for the channel.

• Focus on Security Software Innovation

  

  Customers think free anti-virus software is just as good as commercial offerings. Need to make sure this is not the case for too much longer.

• Find New Routes to Market

  

  With McAfee firmly in Intel's pocket, Symantec needs to find routes to market to counter Intel OEM model.

• Modernize Data Protection in the Cloud

  

  Replication of virtual machines in the cloud will reduce need for traditional backup and recovery software.

• Next Generation Firewalls

  

  More effective and easier to manage than existing firewalls, Symantec needs to get relevant here.

• Fix Service and Support

  

  Updates that break things, even if it is Windows XP, are never popular.

• Compliance Does Not Equal Security

  

  Too many customers equate the two.

• Converge Systems and Security Management

  

  Trouble here is that Symantec systems management revenue declined this quarter.

• Catch the Big Data Wave

  

  Another massive opportunity that Symantec needs to be seen playing in.

• Focus on Selling New Products

  

  Company and its partners are too comfortable booking recurring subscription revenue.

• Increase Attach Rates

  

  Most customers still only buy anti-virus and firewall security products.

• Move to the Cloud Faster

  

  Before others claim Symantec sweet spots.