Noxs poised for security onslaught
Industry observers claim acquisition by Westcon will change the character of the pan-European security distributor
Noxs is set to storm the mainstream security distribution arena following its acquisition by Westcon Group.
As revealed by CRN last week (CRN Online, 27 February), Westcon has agreed to buy the pan-European security distributor in a €53.3m deal.
Industry observers told CRN that the deal is likely to change the character of Noxs. The firm had focused on building emerging security brands, including Fortinet, Blue Coat and Finjan. However, sources said Westcon is likely to transfer its security contracts with the likes of Nokia, Check Point and Trend Micro changing Noxs into a mainstream player.
Kay Eggleston, managing director of Noxs UK, said: “We’ve always tried to track down what will be the big money earners in the channel in the next six to 18 months.
“With the acquisition things may change. We will remain a focused security distributor, but we will no doubt gain a couple of vendors that will give us the run-rate business we have never had.”
Bernie Dodwell, European security manager at Westcon Group, told CRN: “It has always been the intention to expand our footprint in the security market and Noxs is an ideal fit given its European coverage.
“It also catapults us to becoming a major player in European security distribution and strengthens our relationships with Check Point, Trend Micro and Nokia.”
Vendors were pleased to see an end to Noxs’s exhausting five-month sale process.
Nigel Hawthorne, vice president of international marketing at Blue Coat, said: “We are pleased that the confusion is over and everything has become clear. We are looking forward to moving ahead.”
Frank Coggrave, regional director UK and Ireland at Websense, welcomed the move, but added: “Noxs has to get out there quickly and assure vendors how it will be better off.”
Eggleston claimed the UK business achieved a turnover of £6m in 2006, more than double the £2.9m harvested a year earlier.