Network Box opens a channel

Managed security service provider (MSSP) Network Box has opened a channel, signing exclusive distributor Firewall Systems and its first direct partner Securix Australia, following over a year of mainly direct sales.

Put simply, Network Box is a hardware, software and security service sold under a service fee arrangement. The security 'box' incorporates anti-virus, anti-SPAM, VPNs, web content, filtering, firewall, intrusion detection, preventing and system reporting in one. Anti-virus products from Sophos, Kaspersky and Surfcontrol have been integrated into the platform.

The company claimed that within two to three hours, the Network Box is installed and operational at a client site and is remotely managed for the life of the service.

Securix Australia -- the company's first Platinum partner - would manage these customers from its new Network Box Network Operations (NOC) in Canberra, supporting other NOC's in Melbourne, Hong Kong, the US and UK.

Michael Grace, who was appointed as GM sales and marketing at Network Box earlier this year, claimed Network Box was the first vendor that had created 'all aspects required for the provisioning of comprehensive managed security.'

Chris Teoh, CEO of Securix, said the company expected to generate at least $2.5 million in managed security sales with the platform in the first year of the agreement. Sales would be through its direct sales team and partners sourcing security services from the company, he said.

Grace claimed he has had a positive response to the solution from resellers. Others, however, are sceptical, saying that the product is too inexpensive and they would make more money selling managed security services separately.

A typical mid-range Network Box system - the Rackmount-3000 - is suitable for 100 to 3000-user networks and has a first year upfront cost of US$14,388 for the hardware, consultancy, requirement analysis, configuration, on-site installation and post-install support.

An annual managed services fee would cost US$14,400, the company said. The price includes all applications and OS updates, 24x7 monitoring, alarming, configuration changes and helpdesk, the company said.

Grace was hoping to have 300 sites up and running this year. The company's existing customers include Nintendo, Wesley College, The Good Guys, Oce and Toyota.

In the meantime, Chris Nixon, a former LAN Systems staffer was appointed northern region business manager in March, based in Sydney.

In addition, the company has retained the services of former LAN Systems boss Nick Verykios via his independent consultancy, CraziHorse.

'We have retained Nick as a consultant on our strategies into the engagement and development of the enterprise, telco, service provider and managed security provider sectors of the Australian market,' said Grace. 'Nick's expertise in the fundamentals and essentials of sustainable channel development strategy and execution are invaluable,' he claimed.