Streamlining Security and Scaling with Confidence
The Challenge
Before partnering with WatchGuard, Network IT Easy was grappling with a complex and inefficient firewall management system. As a growing managed service provider (MSP), they found themselves supporting firewalls from at least five different vendors. This fragmented environment led to a host of internal challenges from inconsistent customer support to missed renewal deadlines on critical security products.
Managing contract renewals across multiple vendors became a significant operational burden. Support often lapsed before renewal orders could be completed, putting both the MSP and its clients at unnecessary risk. On top of that, training staff across several firewall platforms was inefficient and unsustainable. As their client base expanded, it became clear they needed a more streamlined and scalable security solution.
The Solution
In their search for a new cybersecurity partner, Network IT Easy prioritized solutions that were easy to configure and manage, offered a monthly billing or consumption model, had a strong MSP focus, and allowed for rapid onboarding of technical staff.
WatchGuard quickly emerged as the clear choice. WatchGuard firewalls are simple to configure and fast to deploy, performing exceptionally well in testing compared to competitors. The MSP points program and later availability through Pax8’s subscription model further reinforced the decision.
According to Eric Wielenga, CIO of Network IT Easy, “We now have our Level 1 and Level 2 techs handle the configuration and installation of new Fireboxes. That was not the case with the multitude of firewalls we used to support.”
The transition was seamless. The team was able to get up to speed quickly ‒ a drastic improvement over the 6-8 hours it took just to configure and evaluate each legacy firewall.
“WatchGuard is by far the best firewall I have ever worked with,” said Nick Relstab, network security engineer, who has extensive experience with all major vendors.
Impressed by the ease and efficiency of WatchGuard’s firewall solutions, the company also expanded into WatchGuard's AuthPoint MFA offering. It was a natural fit for their stack due to its native integration, cost-effectiveness, and availability in a subscription model.
The Results
Partnering with WatchGuard has transformed how Network IT Easy delivers service to its clients and how they operate internally. With standardized firewall solutions, they’ve eliminated the inefficiencies and risks that came with managing multiple vendors.
“Both the WatchGuard firewalls and MFA solutions, because of their ease of configuration and installation, and overall efficacy, have taken our service delivery to new standards,” said Wielenga.
The company has also seen improvements in training new staff, boosting productivity and reducing ramp-up time. Their team can now train new technicians with a few internal videos and short hands-on sessions ‒ a far cry from the intensive learning curve required by previous solutions.
WatchGuard’s commitment to supporting their MSPs has been another key benefit. “WatchGuard has always been MSP-focused on all fronts, and that has been a big benefit for us,” Wielenga added.
Today, Network IT Easy primarily deploys WatchGuard T45 firewalls across its client base, with T25s used for smaller branch offices and a few M270s and M290s for larger environments. This standardized approach not only simplifies their operations but ensures consistent, high-quality security across all deployments.
For Network IT Easy, WatchGuard has been more than a vendor ‒ it’s been a strategic partner. The shift has enabled the MSP to focus more on delivering excellent service and less on wrestling with outdated systems. With WatchGuard’s easy-to-use, scalable, and MSP-centric solutions, Network IT Easy is well-positioned for continued growth and success in a demanding security landscape.