Resellers offered managed AV opportunity

Network Associates is launching a new version of its managed antivirus solution for small businesses, to be sold exclusively through resellers.

VirusScan ASaP is aimed at small companies with little or no dedicated IT support.

Customers will buy an annual licence and have the antivirus engines automatically updated with the latest signatures from Network Associates' Antivirus Emergency Response Team laboratories in the US and the UK.

Network Associates claims that this will reduce by 80 per cent the amount of time network managers spend dealing with viruses.

The service will be distributed through C-media Interactive, a division of the Flexia Group, which runs a server farm at Globix to guarantee a constant connection between Network Associates and clients.

"A key advantage for resellers is in renewal rates," said Jeremy Stokes, managing director of C-media Interactive.

"Reselling is a cut-throat business and with boxed solutions we see retention rates of about 60 per cent.

"This goes up to 90 per cent with this kind of managed service. It also allows resellers to build a much closer bond with their clients."

Once the service has been sold, users download a small software package and the reseller will transfer a key to the network manager.

This allows access to a web reporting tool that breaks down virus attacks by type and user. The connection between client and reseller is dynamic, so any new PCs added beyond the original licence can be identified immediately.

"This will be a massive growth market," said Chris Jenkins, sales and marketing director at specialist security house Cisilion.

"Security is at the forefront at the moment. Small and medium sized firms are aware that they must have security in place but the costs can be high to get IT support staff. Something like this will be very popular."