Partners' mutual split
WatchGuard signs new distributor as it parts ways with Azlan
Security appliance maker WatchGuard Technologies and distributor Azlan have parted company by mutual consent after almost two years of working together.
The firms started their relationship in July 2002, following a shake-out of the vendor's channel.
Richard Pryor-Jones, managing director of the Azlan Group, said both companies felt the split was for the best as their respective focuses changed.
"There is no ill feeling on either side," he said. "We both felt it was time to move on to other things. We will now focus on our other firewall vendors."
Azlan's security division includes offerings from Crossbeam, SonicWall, Network Associates and RSA. The distributor's Cisco division also sells security appliances from the networking giant.
Pryor-Jones said security is a key part of Azlan's business and that it is looking for someone to head its security division across Europe.
"We hope to employ someone in this senior role by the end of the summer, but we will continue until we find the right person," he said.
WatchGuard, meanwhile, has told CRN it has already signed another distributor.
Richard Reid, managing director EMEA of WatchGuard, said the firm signed an agreement with Vigil Software earlier this month in a value-add role.
WatchGuard now has Ingram Micro, Northamber, Wick Hill and Vigil as UK distributors.
The new distributor will support WatchGuard's resellers following the vendor's launch of its multifunction Firebox X.
"The Firebox X has been a phenomenal success, and the channel is taking to it very positively," said Reid. "We are bringing more resellers to the floor."
Ian Kilpatrick, group managing director of Wick Hill, said the attitude of the channel has changed since the vendor launched the Firebox X.
"It offers something in that it can be scaled feature- and performance-wise," he said. "And the signing of Vigil confirms WatchGuard's product offers value-add to resellers."