Distribution Central's training and certification business unit, Red Education, has been appointed a Palo Alto Networks Elite Authorised Training Centre (ATC).
The appointment – the first ATC appointment in ANZ – requires programme compliance and requirements relating to student evaluation results and exceeding student volume expectations.
Nick Verykios, Distribution Central managing director, says training is a key component to supporting the Palo Alto Networks channel and supplements the support the distributor delivers through its Elite Authorised Support Centre, advanced hardware replacement service and remote install service.
Red Education has trained more than 220 partners and more than 300 end-users in its Palo Alto courses, receiving an average student feedback of 4.2 out of five across metrics including instructor, lab performance and facilities.
That feedback was dubbed ‘exceptional' by Keith Carter, Palo Alto APAC head of channels, who says the appointment as ATC underscores Distribution Central's commitment to customers' satisfaction and for delivering quality training courses on the Palo Alto Networks next-generation security platform.
Rob Howard, Red Education managing director, says the company has seen strong growth in student numbers since signing on as a Palo Alto Networks ATC and expects that growth to continue.
“In addition, we are expanding our territory and will be delivering Palo Alto Networks courses throughout the entire APAC region,” he adds.
The appointment comes weeks after the distributor achieved Palo Alto Networks Elite Authorised Support Centre status and continues a roll for Distribution Central with Palo Alto, having also been named ANZ Distribution Partner of the Year and APAC Distributor of the Year at the 2014 Palo Alto Networks Partner Conference.
“To achieve Elite Authorised Support Centre and Elite Authorised Training Centre status within weeks of each other is testament to our investment in the Palo Alto Networks channel in Australia and New Zealand,” Verykios says.