Silverback to stop firms monkeying around with networks

US startup Silverback Technologies is looking for UK partners to launch an outsourced network management service for medium-sized businesses.

US startup Silverback Technologies is looking for UK partners to launch anoutsourced network management service for medium-sized businesses.

The company plans to put Linux boxes running network management and security applications on to customer sites. The boxes will send information back to a central operations centre where it will be processed and managed.

Called Infocare, the basic service's US list price will be $2000 (£1270) a month. More sophisticated applications are available as options.

John Igoe, chief executive of Silverback, said existing sales models make network management and security too expensive and complicated for most businesses, whereas paying a fee to have it outsourced is affordable and hassle-free. "It's cheaper than hiring your own network manager," he said.

Launched in the US last week, Silverback will provide the service directly to users, using resellers as sales agents that will receive a proportion of the monthly fee.

Silverback may allow UK resellers to offer the service themselves, and is also considering using a distributor to act on its behalf. Igoe said he hopes to launch the service in the UK by the first quarter of next year and has begun discussions with UK companies.

The service uses an Intel/Linux box running network inventory and performance monitoring applications from AdventNet and security from Network Associates. Options will include troubleshooting from UK-based Riversoft and intrusion detection from a partner yet to be chosen.

Igoe said he named the company after seeing an exhibition about Silverback gorillas in London. "I was impressed by how they looked after the troop," he said.