Symantec cuts jobs as profits slide

Symantec has outlined plans for a reorganisation plan which will see sales and middle management roles at the security vendor being cut.

The company said the job cuts would come as it seeks to give its front-line sales staff greater flexibility and shift more customer support to its channel partners.

"This is a story about more focus and better execution by Symantec to make things better and easier for our customers and partners," said chief executive Steve Bennett.

"Our path is straightforward: Offer better products and services tailor made for customers, and make it easier for them to research, shop, buy, use, and get the help and support they need."

The move will include consolidation efforts as well. The company said that it would seek to consolidate platforms into bundled editions and package offerings. The packages will focus on 10 specific areas and are due to be rolled out over the next six to 24 months.

"We are not offering packages that they have to take it or leave it," said Bennett.

"Customers can still decide what’s right for them and buy accordingly, but have the added option of migrating to new integrated offerings which provide added flexibility we know they will need to combat constantly evolving threats, particularly via mobile and the cloud."

In addition to reshuffling its sales and support channels, the company said that it will be shifting more money into research and development operations. Symantec said that it would be seeking to focus more time on expanding its business and developing new products.

The reorganisation comes in the wake of Symantec's most recent financial results. Symantec posted $1.8bn in sales for the quarter ending 28 December, 2011, up four percent year on year, with sales particularly strong in the EMEA region.

But profits at the firm slumped 12 percent, down to $212m compared to $240m in the same period the year before.