Kiwi distributor enters Australia with ESET deal

Security software vendor ESET has appointed New Zealand-based Chillisoft as its fourth distributor for Australia.

Chillisoft has been the exclusive distributor for ESET in New Zealand since 2001. The security specialist joins existing Australian disties InTechnology, Microbe and OCS, who were all appointed earlier this year.

“Chillisoft has been working with ESET in Australia for a year or so, and this announcement formalises our relationship and signals our long-term commitment to the market,” said Chillisoft chief executive Geoff Cossey.

“We have put the same philosophies and methods to work in our Melbourne office that have sustained a thriving long-term relationship with ESET throughout New Zealand and Oceania.”

ESET Australia managing director Florin Vasile said the appointment is highly strategic to the vendor's channel expansion.

“Chillisoft is a proven distributor with a very successful business model,” said Vasile. “It has an intimate knowledge of the market and understands the needs and objectives of the customers it serves. It has been instrumental in lifting ESET’s share of the security software market to near 30 percent in New Zealand and we believe it is extremely well placed to on-board and support a fast-growing reseller base in Australia.”

ESET has expanded its channel presence over the past 10 months after splitting with long-time Australian distributor Antivirus Australia after 14 years. The Slovakian vendor began self-distributing in February before signing on InTechnology in March.