Astaro teams with Arc to support SME resellers

Security player Astaro and distributor Arc Technology has today unveiled a new channel support programme to help resellers target SMEs.

The vendor says the joint initiative will enable resellers to capture and convert new business in a sector that offers a “market sweetspot” for security.

Designed as a structured marketing programme for Astaro’s range of solutions for network, web and email security, it will include: free tools to allow resellers to offer subscription-based managed service provision; Astaro’s ‘Try before you buy’ programme, which the firm says has an 80 percent sales conversion rate; A dedicated Arc account manager; Telemarketing support and online tools for lead generation and quarterly partner seminars.

“The SMB market offers considerable opportunity for security sales and successful resellers will be those that can tune into the buying psyche of today’s customer. Our new programme with Arc is designed to make it easier for resellers to connect with small and mid-sized businesses through creative sales campaigns,” explains Andrew Fourie, UK country manager, Astaro.  “We are confident that the value delivered by our all-in-one solutions together with the desire in the current climate for ‘more for less’ will create new opportunities for our partners.”

Astaro’s multi-function security products are specifically designed for small and medium sized businesses.  The latest version of its Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliance includes HTTPS URL Filtering, Wide Area Network (WAN) link balancing and site-to-site SSL VPN capabilities. Last month, Astaro also launched the first security solution to provide iPhone users with the ability to automatically set up secure VPN access.

Says Stuart Reay, managing director at Arc Technology, “This campaign with Astaro is designed to give our resellers the essential tools to be successful in delivering security solutions to both new and existing customers... The ability to offer managed security services presents a great opportunity for resellers to capitalise on the trusted reputation that they have with their customers.”