Avant Communications and its subagents now can sell Open Systems‘ managed SD-WAN and security offerings.

Open System’s Matthew Krieg

The Chicago-based distributor/master agent has joined the Swiss vendor’s Partner Network program. The program, which boasts a 98 percent yearly client retention rate, is a key part of Open Systems’ North American strategy.

Open Systems is “actively and aggressively pursuing” MSP partners as it tries to expand globally, according to its website. That’s where Avant comes into play. Avant has recruited MSPs and encouraged traditional partners to bring more services and recurring revenue into their practices.

“Open Systems has grown and matured organically for years selling through a direct model. Shifting to a channel-first strategy means partners will be able to take advantage of our industry-leading experience and maturity,” said Matthew Krieg, Open Systems’ chief revenue officer. “We are thrilled to have Avant as our global partner. This partnership will enable Avant to offer a customer-proven and secure SD-WAN as a service solution.”

Avant’s Jennifer Gallego

Open Systems offers managed SD-WAN, as well as security, security operations center (SOC) and integrated service management. Florian Gutzwiller founded the company in 1990 in Basel, Switzerland.

Jen Gallego, Avant’s executive vice president of sales, West, said her partners can help their customers become more agile, efficient and customer-focused as a result of the enhanced technology portfolio.

“SD-WAN is one of the most disruptive new technologies in IT today. Avant’s channel sales-enablement methodology will help trusted advisers learn how to leverage the Open Systems solution,” Gallego said. “The Avant channel is a perfect fit for Open Systems: a swift-to-implement, simple-to-manage and highly secure solution for enterprises. With this partnership, we are able to help our clients solve some of their toughest challenges by harnessing the disruptive power of new technologies.”

Avant offers a large stable of SD-WAN vendors, including Cato Networks, Silver Peak Systems, Talari Networks (now part of Oracle) and Aryaka Networks.

A survey conducted by the master agent predicted SD-WAN to accompany UCaaS as the fastest growing technology through 2020.