Selling Sophos SD-RED vs. Legacy RED: Frequently Asked Questions

ProductsSophos RED

After the recent End-of-Sale announcement for the legacy RED devices (which are mostly sold out), it’s time to focus on positioning the new SD-RED models. But with changes in pricing and connectivity options compared to their legacy predecessors, we’ve had many questions about positioning the new models. This post will help you answer those questions.

After the recent End-of-Sale announcement for the legacy RED devices (which are mostly sold out), it’s time to focus on positioning the new SD-RED models. These devices are uniquely positioned to address the current demand for plug-and-play, secure remote connectivity – and particularly important right now, without needing on-site IT staff.

But with changes in pricing and connectivity options compared to their legacy predecessors, we’ve had many questions about positioning the new models.

This post will help you answer those questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main benefits of an SD-RED vs. a legacy RED model?

  1. Improved Performance:  SD-RED 20 +177%, SD-RED 60 +136%
    • SD-RED 20 =250 Mbps vs RED 15(w) 90 Mbps
    • SD-RED 60 = 850 Mbps vs. 360 Mbps
  1. New and More Flexible Connectivity Options
    • SFP Port for Fiber, Modular Bay for Wi-Fi 5 or 3G/4G Module,
    • Power-over-Ethernet ports (SD-RED 60 only)
    • Micro-USB
  2. Power Redundancy
    • 2nd power supply option
  3. 5-Year Return-and-Replace Warranty
    • 1 year on legacy models
  4. Plus: Many more such as:
    • new mounting options (wall mount) and kits (DIN rail)
    • newer CPU/platform
    • lower pricing on SD-RED 60

When should I position an entry-level XG instead of SD-RED?

The image below provides a simple answer, but for more detail, check out this Partner News story.

Why is there no longer a w-model?

By offering a modular concept, we can provide a very flexible solution which customers can tailor to their individual needs for each remote site – both now and in the future. The Wi-Fi and 3G/4G add-on connectivity modules which are being used with SD-RED are already available for some XG and SG Desktop appliances – a great chance to go back to existing customers after a while and position an upsell option. This modular concept also allows us to offer more connectivity options without having to create multiple separate models. Every separate model we offer needs to be manufactured, certified, planned, forecast and stocked separately both in our logistics centers and those of our distributors. This new modularity offers benefits for our customers, our channel and our supply chain.

Note: In future software releases for XG and SG UTM, we will also add support for the SFP VDSL modem, but it is not supported today.

Why the price changes?

The legacy RED devices were introduced between mid-2014 and the beginning of 2016. That’s a long time by any measure but represents generations in technology and things have simply changed. The design for the new SD-RED devices allowed us to make some adjustments to the pricing based upon the components used (particularly those common to other appliances) whilst offering a much-enhanced feature-set. For the SD-RED 20 this resulted in a higher price than the RED 15, but with considerably newer and improved technology. For the SD-RED 60 this resulted in a lower price than the RED 50, despite the addition of the modular bay, PoE ports, etc.

Price Comparison SD-RED vs. RED

Pricing based upon DACH MSRP in EUR for reference only (USD pricing in NA is the same) – regional pricing may vary.

Model SD-RED 20 RED 15 RED 15w SD-RED 60 RED 50
Unit price MSRP EUR 350 EUR 295 EUR 365 EUR 595 EUR 645
Options to add Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Module EUR 125 See RED 15w Built in Wi-Fi EUR 125 Not available
APX 120 EUR 170 See RED 15w Built in Wi-Fi EUR 170 EUR 170
Warranty 5Y included 1Y included 1Y included 5Y included 1Y included

Further points for comparison are included in the presentation on the Partner Portal:

https://partners.sophos.com/prm/English/s/assets?id=212468

Which software releases include support for the SD-RED models?

The following releases are all available

  • V18 MR1 and higher
  • 5 MR11 and higher
  • UTM 9.7 MR3 and higher

Note: The fixes for the slow Wi-Fi issue were also released https://community.sophos.com/kb/en-us/135517

Where can I find SD-RED collateral?

Use the link below to get the datasheet, a product overview presentation, product images and Visio stencils on the Partner Portal:

https://partners.sophos.com/prm/English/s/assets?q=sd-red

What other resources are available?

NEW: Compare models page for SD-RED (sophos.com – currently English only)

SD-WAN page on sophos.com

SD-WAN Use Cases Whitepaper

Reach out to your local distributor or Sophos sales contact for further help.