Increased payouts and a widened array of eligible deals are included among the series of measures implemented by Microsoft in the expansion of the Security Software Advisor program. The Redmond Company revealed that the modifications of the SSA program were catalyzed by the feedback generated at the program's partner base. Just in the first four months of existence, the volume of SSA partners has grown to more than 1,700 security partners.

"As members of the Security Software Advisor program, we are pleased that Microsoft has listened to our calls for a broader advisor fee program," said Michael Goldstein, vice president of LAN Associates. "We are seeing a great deal of interest for Microsoft Forefront solutions from enterprise customers and, these adjustments will help us cater to a wider customer base."

Microsoft's advisory fees for eligible security channel partners have been increased to 30% on commercial, governmental and educational licensing programs, an adjustment driven by the increase in demand for the company's Forefront security product lineup.

"We are making these modifications to the SSA program to further recognize the critical role of our partners in helping keep customers secure," said Steve Brown, director of product management for the Security and Access Products Group at Microsoft. "To support our security partners in that role, we are committed to continued investment in both the Forefront product line and innovative partner programs like SSA."

In fact, the SSA program is centralized on delivering partner incentives that intermediate the purchasing and deployment of Microsoft security and access solutions. Since July 2006, the SSA program focused on providing support for security partners on the integration of the Microsoft Forefront solutions into their security practices.