Nebulas selects three new vendors to nurture

But worries surface that most security resellers are becoming less, rather than more entrepreneurial

Nebulas Solutions has signed three more vendors to its Technology Incubator scheme, but onlookers are concerned the investment bucks a wider trend among security resellers.

Web application security vendor Breach Security, web application vulnerability assessment tools vendor NT Objectives and datacentre virtualisation vendor Xsigo have all been added to the programme.

Over the next six months the reseller will introduce them to a core group of about 10 early adopter customers. If they make the grade they will be integrated into its mainstream portfolio.

Dave Ellis, e-security director of distributor Computerlinks, said Nebulas was among a shrinking group of VARs investing in new technology.

“Resellers are becoming less entrepreneurial,” he said. “In a tougher market they tend to focus on core franchises. Nebulas has found a good way of testing the water without making a massive investment that may prove to be the wrong one.”

Recent graduates of the Technology Incubator programme, launched in 2007, include Ingrian and Tufin. Nebulas managing director Nick Garlick said that the scheme enables the reseller to invest in emerging technologies in a controlled environment.

“To introduce new vendors into your portfolio you need a structured approach,” he said. “You cannot add them without knowing they have true potential in the UK market.”