Security vendor Shavlik Technologies has bought the patch-management product line of rival St Bernard Software for an undisclosed sum, as the vendor looks to grow its global footprint.
Shavlik, which was recently named as the second largest vendor in the patch-management space by analyst IDC after rival Patchlink (CRN, 22 January), admitted that it needs to build more brand awareness outside the US, particularly in the UK.
Speaking to CRN, Chris Schwartzbauer, vice-president of worldwide field operations at Shavlik, said: “We have great mindshare with lower-level IT managers, but we don’t have the executive-level mindshare and we realise that we need to bolster our branding. The acquisition of St Bernard’s Update Expert patch-management line will give us more than 10,000 new customers worldwide.”
Schwartzbauer added that Shavlik has many OEM licensing deals for its products with major players such as IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, McAfee, Symantec and Juniper, but the firm intends to raise awareness of its own brand name in 2007 and is looking to expand its channel.
Currently, Shavlik works with Satisnet as its Premier Partner/master reseller in the UK and also runs a direct sales arm.
“We are actively trying to grow our international business and we think we have a great product to offer VARs because it helps them to develop services,” Schwartzbauer claimed. “It also ensures that their customers are fully compliant.”
He added that the vendor does not intend to saturate the market and is looking for value-added partners only.
John McGinley, Shavlik account manager at Satisnet, said: “We have a great relationship with Shavlik, but it has not been visible enough outside the US in the past given the size of its market share.
“We are helping it build its channel in the UK and Ireland. The kind of margin on offer for partners ranges from 20 to 35 per cent. Some argue that every customer already has a patch-management solution in place, but we believe there is still a huge market opportunity out there.”
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