WatchGuard Partners With eSys Tech to expand distribution network

Mumbai, May 18 (UNI) WatchGuard Technologies, Inc-- a Nasdaq listed company and a leading provider of Unified Threat Management solutions, today announced a new distribution partnership with eSys Technologies.

The agreement opens additional channels for WatchGuard's award -winning Firebox X UTM security appliances and enables eSys Technologies to enhance its offering of network security solutions specifically developed for the small-and-medium-sized business (SMB) community, said a WatchGuard press release here.

This partnership will further strengthen and maximize WatchGuard's exposure and market share in the Indian Sub-Continent amongst the SOHO and growing enterprise segment with special emphasis on Tier 2 Cities.

eSys Technologies, the global leader in the technology distribution of desktop hard disk drives, offers total IT solutions under one roof. eSys Technologies is a Mumbai, May 18 (UNI) WatchGuard Technologies, Inc-- a Nasdaq listed company and a leading provider of Unified Threat Management solutions, today announced a new distribution partnership with eSys Technologies.

The agreement opens additional channels for WatchGuard's award -winning Firebox X UTM security appliances and enables eSys Technologies to enhance its offering of network security solutions specifically developed for the small-and-medium-sized business (SMB) community, said a WatchGuard press release here.

This partnership will further strengthen and maximize WatchGuard's exposure and market share in the Indian Sub-Continent amongst the SOHO and growing enterprise segment with special emphasis on Tier 2 Cities.

eSys Technologies, the global leader in the technology distribution of desktop hard disk drives, offers total IT solutions under one roof. eSys Technologies is a $2.0 billion (USD) multinational with 110 offices in 31 countries.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Govindan Ramanujam, CEO, eSys Information Technologies said, ''It is great tying up with WatchGuard. This direction will strengthen our enterprise portfolio with security appliances as a new product category on the eSys cart.

We will be optimizing the entire distribution channel to address the need for safe and secured businesses''.

''The key challenge in the tier 2 markets is education, awareness and availability of products and solutions. eSys has a strong presence in this sector and WatchGuard through this tie-up will now enter this unsaturated security market.'' Says Ajit Pillai, Country Manager (India/SAARC), WatchGuard Technologies.

Talking on the market reach, Mr Ajit further said, ''eSys has a very strong distribution network in the tier 2 markets of India. This partnership with eSys will help WatchGuard target these important 'B' and 'C' class cities, where currently we have virtually no presence.'' As per the third-party figures available, the network security market in India is estimated at around Rs. 180-200 crores by the year 2007-08 and is growing at about 30-40% per annum. Mr Pillai further adds, ''Most of the security vendors today offer segregated solutions, where different vendors offer specific security solutions. Customer faces the problem of interoperability, scalability and manageability. An integrated solution which eliminates all these bottlenecks is the cry of our customers and we plan to achieve that through such tie-ups.'' To combat the firewall and security threats, WatchGuard has recently launched Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution. Security threats have been through virus, hacker attacks and IP spoofing.

Today, these are more blended. The hacker uses a virus to enter an enterprise network, Spam is one of the biggest irritants being extensively used.

It besides chocking your network is also being extensively employed to extract corporate information. WatchGuard's UTM has features like Web Blocking and URL Filtering. The attacks are hybrid in nature and therefore there is a requirement for a unified threat management solution. Hence, a vendor can no longer provide a stand-alone solution.

eSys is currently the global leader in the technology distribution of desktop hard disk drives - specializing in distribution of IT components and support of key PC components. eSys hosts a package of defined services which not only enhance, but makes the intrinsic value of both the technology and matrix of its services. eSys recently announced their new Value Added Division in partnership with Sun Microsystems and IBM software Tivoli. The partnership with WatchGuard is their first security portfolio to this division.

UNI SN PM SKB1734 .0 billion (USD) multinational with 110 offices in 31 countries.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Govindan Ramanujam, CEO, eSys Information Technologies said, ''It is great tying up with WatchGuard. This direction will strengthen our enterprise portfolio with security appliances as a new product category on the eSys cart.

We will be optimizing the entire distribution channel to address the need for safe and secured businesses''.

''The key challenge in the tier 2 markets is education, awareness and availability of products and solutions. eSys has a strong presence in this sector and WatchGuard through this tie-up will now enter this unsaturated security market.'' Says Ajit Pillai, Country Manager (India/SAARC), WatchGuard Technologies.

Talking on the market reach, Mr Ajit further said, ''eSys has a very strong distribution network in the tier 2 markets of India. This partnership with eSys will help WatchGuard target these important 'B' and 'C' class cities, where currently we have virtually no presence.'' As per the third-party figures available, the network security market in India is estimated at around Rs. 180-200 crores by the year 2007-08 and is growing at about 30-40% per annum. Mr Pillai further adds, ''Most of the security vendors today offer segregated solutions, where different vendors offer specific security solutions. Customer faces the problem of interoperability, scalability and manageability. An integrated solution which eliminates all these bottlenecks is the cry of our customers and we plan to achieve that through such tie-ups.'' To combat the firewall and security threats, WatchGuard has recently launched Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution. Security threats have been through virus, hacker attacks and IP spoofing.

Today, these are more blended. The hacker uses a virus to enter an enterprise network, Spam is one of the biggest irritants being extensively used.

It besides chocking your network is also being extensively employed to extract corporate information. WatchGuard's UTM has features like Web Blocking and URL Filtering. The attacks are hybrid in nature and therefore there is a requirement for a unified threat management solution. Hence, a vendor can no longer provide a stand-alone solution.

eSys is currently the global leader in the technology distribution of desktop hard disk drives - specializing in distribution of IT components and support of key PC components. eSys hosts a package of defined services which not only enhance, but makes the intrinsic value of both the technology and matrix of its services. eSys recently announced their new Value Added Division in partnership with Sun Microsystems and IBM software Tivoli. The partnership with WatchGuard is their first security portfolio to this division.

UNI SN PM SKB1734