When QOS Networks recently hired Michael Brennan as VP of channel sales, ChannelE2E decided to take a closer look at the SD-WAN and managed networking business, and Brennan's career move.
No doubt, QOS was in growth mode. The provider of managed network solutions for midsize and enterprise customers recently landed on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America.
The secret to QOS Networks' growth involves an integrated solution that supports SD-WAN, managed WiFi, IoT integrations, edge function management such as firewall or switches, ITSM (IT service management) network integration, and uCPE. But this is more than a technology story. It's also a partner ecosystem story that involves master agent agreements with Intelisys, Sandler Partners, CNSG, and more.
So where will Brennan focus the QOS Networks partner priorities in the months ahead? Brennan shared these insights in an email interview with ChannelE2E.
ChannelE2E: How did you learn about the opportunity to join QOS Networks?
Brennan: I’ve known of Frank Cittadino and QOS Networks for a number of years. Their agility and ability to care for the customer experience while delivering an edge solution unparalleled in the industry is what truly intrigued me about coming on board. Experience is a key driving motivator for me, not only for the customer but my peers in the Partner community.
ChannelE2E: Was there anything in particular about the interview process or your research about QOS Networks that solidified your interest in the position?
Brennan: In conducting my due diligence, I validated what I had suspected and was hearing from the industry and my peers. QOS has a deep technical ability, tremendous experience and the ability to be nimble and innovative allowing us to support and adapt quickly to the needs of the partner and their customer. The QOS complete solution with their intelligent edge network including SD-WAN, monitoring, ServiceNow integrations, managed switches and WIFI along with customized Dev Ops (And more) creates and exciting offering within the channel. And I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
ChannelE2E: What are your key priorities for the first 90 days on the job?
Brennan: A key focus is outlining our best course to market within the partner and channel community. To do that, I intend to work in partnership with my peers here at QOS Network to build the core foundation of our Channel program that empowers partners to leverage the value of the QOS solution stack in their customer engagement strategies. We’re doing something uniquely different here that’s going to change the way Partners deliver the edge experience to their customers.
ChannelE2E: What are your longer-term priorities, particularly as they pertain to partners?
Brennan: To continue to deliver at the forefront of the technology. The team here at QOS under Frank’s vision and leadership is not sitting idly by waiting for the next trend. They’re connected to the pulse, conceptualizing, anticipating, and evolving the platform. My mission, my purpose, with the team that I am developing, will be to continue to deliver that.
ChannelE2E: Are there particular types of partners that you’re seeking to engage?
Brennan: The beauty of what we’re doing at QOS is that it isn’t isolated to one specific business model or vertical. I think we can all agree there is a massive network transformation underway, certain element have become commoditized with diminishing returns, in order to capitalize on opportunities customer engagements strategies need to evolve and incorporate a cloud transformation discussion. The partners who are having those discussion is where I want to align. The key is working with partners who recognize the shift but perhaps are looking to lean on a partner to learn how to have those discussions, I want to engage with them, empower them to be successful, and elevate their customer offerings.
ChannelE2E: What ultimately makes QOS unique in the market?
Brennan: At QOS Networks we're redefining the network edge with intelligent and robust network solutions overlaid with a set of tools which enable enterprises to integrate to common SaaS platforms, deploy self-healing network automation and extract key analytics to drive improved end user experiences.
Especially as we move to 2020, with customers considering new technologies like IoT, preparing for 5G, or increasing the amount of demand at the edge. From our Edge as a Service approach to our custom management and monitoring solutions, QOS offers a holistic network approach for enterprises. We’re at the forefront of the shift, leading the way, and delivering the experience my partners and their customers deserve. And, that’s exciting!
