Trend Micro wins Carphone Warehouse deal

Anti-virus vendor claims it won the deal from rival Kaspersky Lab

Trend Micro has claimed it has ousted rival anti-virus vendor Kaspersky Lab to become the exclusive security supplier with retail giant Carphone Warehouse.

The deal will mean that Trend’s Internet Security Pro will be available to all Carphone Warehouse customers, via its 800 UK stores and its web site.

Andrew Harrison, chief executive of Carphone Warehouse, said: “Our customers are increasingly using portable devices to carry and share important and confidential corporate and personal information.

“As a responsible retailer, we want to ensure that they have the data security to protect them from cyber crime. Trend Micro’s product ensures that our customers can be reassured that whatever device they are using to access the internet, they will be protected.”

Anthony O’Mara, EMEA vice president at Trend Micro, said: “Beating Kaspersky is further validation that Trend Micro is becoming the security vendor of choice and our strategic approach is clearly one that resonates with both groups,” he said.

“Our products have been Geek Squad tested and recommended, contain all the functions expected by today’s users, and are affordably priced so that everybody can have access to the technology, whether it is for the laptop or smartphone.”

However Kaspersky claimed the decision to part company with Carphone Warehouse was its alone, and the contract ended before Trend took over.

“Kaspersky Lab enjoyed working with Carphone Warehouse and now benefits from an increased brand profile due to the partnership. Kaspersky has decided not to continue the partnership due to a decision to consolidate its business with core channels and expand and invest in these areas to drive business forward in 2009 and beyond,” the firm said in a statement.