VADition to offer Proofpoint from the cloud to the channel

Distributor VADition has launched a Software as a Service (SaaS) version of the Proofpoint email security solution.

The hybrid solution from Proofpoint requires a physical local or virtual appliance on a client’s site which synchronises information with the Proofpoint datacentre to help firms protect against spam and viruses, safeguard privacy, encrypt sensitive information, and archive messages for easier management and discovery.

Partners will now have the option of selling Proofpoint as a purely ‘per month’ service with a pricing structure that Barrie Desmond, business development director at VADition describes as “same difference – they wont lose margin as they can offer it both ways.” Proofpoint will initially have a European datacentre in Holland.

Although Proofpoint offers a free trial virtual appliance versions of the software via direct download, Desmond does not believes that even with its cloud model, the firm will ever go indirect. However, he urges partners to embrace cloud rather than be fearful. “We don’t want our partners to be the Zavvis or HMVs of the world, resellers have to change their business models to offer more self service technologies – the clients still need an expert as an enabler and for billing mechanisms.”

VADition will join existing Proofpoint distributors Arrow ECS and Vigil Software but claims it will focus on the SaaS offering as opposed to the on-premise market.