Allasso ties up with Radware

Security distributor moves to fill gap left by split with F5 Networks

Newly acquired specialist security distributor Allasso has signed an agreement with application switching vendor Radware in a move to fill a gap left by its split with F5 Networks.

Following its acquisition by Allasso, InTechnology signed the pan-European deal which expands on an existing relationship covering southern Europe.

It mirrors a deal signed in January, when Allasso responded to its split with security vendor RSA by extending a deal with rival Activcard, with which it already works in southern Europe.

"It's all part of our strategy to standardise our core portfolio across Europe," said Bernie Dodwell, sales and marketing director at Allasso.

"We are always looking for new opportunities, but this is more to do with pan-European coverage."

Dominic Byrne, regional director for northern Europe at Radware, said the company is "keen to fill the gap" in Allasso's portfolio left by its split with F5.

At the time Allasso, which was named F5 distributor of the year for 2001, said the vendor's channel strategy did not match its own. F5 said it needed more skills breadth, whereas Allasso could offer only security expertise.

The pure channel strategy of Radware is attractive because it "never causes conflict by selling direct", Dodwell added.

Roy Zisapel, chief executive of Radware, said the company has a very focused indirect sales strategy. "We do not bypass resellers or play games with them," he said.

Zisapel added that InTechnology's acquisition of Allasso would fit in well with the distributor's value-add approach.

According to Dodwell, further product expansion at Allasso may be on the cards. "Storage from InTechnology and security from Allasso have good synergy. I see no reason why we should not move into more new areas," he said.