Mirapoint looks for safety in numbers

Messaging company seeks resellers covering specific geographical areas

Mirapoint is to bulk up its UK channel after launching updated versions of its messaging and network security devices.

"We are actively seeking 10 new partners," said Jamie Cowper, the vendor's EMEA channel manager.

"We are a private company that has always been frugal, but we are looking to spend marketing money with resellers to promote [the new products]."

Cowper said that he would look for resellers covering specific geographical areas, particularly Scotland and Ireland, as well as particular vertical markets.

Typical targets would include companies selling software products that addressed the same problems as Mirapoint's appliances, such as Mail Marshall.

At present, Mirapoint has two resellers in the UK: Gloucester-based EZ Web and TekWeb in Jersey.

Deborah Mehigan, managing director of EZ Web, said: "We'll be launching the new products at the end of January.

"Mirapoint has a great offering, but not many resellers are picking it up. People looking at messaging in our customer base are impressed by what Mirapoint offers, which is usually over and above other products.

"The only stumbling block in the past has been whether firms need all the features and how much money they have to spend."

The 45 series Message Server is a lower-priced version of the company's original appliance, selling at $15,000. Message Director sells from $45,000.

The products, which provide an element of caching and security to existing installations, also boast web mail access, HTML mail and group calendaring. Message Director offers web management, filtering and a proxy.

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