Techplus broadens security range

Techplus Distribution has a signed a new deal with US-based unified threat management vendor, Astaro.

The Melbourne-based distributor will have access to all Astaro products, which offer Web filtering, reporting, email encryption, anti-spam and antivirus. The Astaro Security Gateway is available in three versions: as a hardware, software or virtual product.

Techplus managing director, Paul Kern, said the vendor had a small presence in the local market with about six resellers.

"They had a couple of local resellers, which were on our books and they really liked the product," he said. "Astaro approached us with a more strategic distribution model rather than going the way they were."

Techplus also distributes Snapgear network security products, but Kern said resellers often also wanted additional functionality such as antivirus, anti-spam or monitoring.

"We couldn't always deliver that functionality to them because Snapgear products either don't do it or they do some, but not all of that," he said. "A lot of our resellers were buying other products when they needed that extra functionality.

"Astaro fills that gap when customers had high-end needs or wanted a more feature rich product set than what Snapgear offers."

The product range is aimed at the SMB market. Resellers will be provided with a partner program that includes pricing benefits, training and lead referral, Kern said.

The distributor is on a partner recruitment drive and will be staging a national roadshow starting in Perth - January 30; Melbourne - February 1; Brisbane - February 4 and Sydney - February 6.