New distie Cirrus signs vendor trio

Distributor staffed by ex Integralis staff unveils iWebgate, Osirium and CronLab as latest vendor signings

Distribution newcomer Cirrus is hunting for reseller partners with an eye for disruptive technology after signing up three new vendors.

Cirrus was launched two years ago by three former Integralis staff and now has seven vendors on its books.

The latest to join its ranks are Australian network security enabler vendor iWeb­gate, UK-based security and infrastructure management vendor Osirium and Swedish anti-spam outfit CronLab.

All technologies Cirrus distributes must first pass muster with its stakeholder network of end users.

Cirrus co-founder and director Mark Kacary (pictured) said: "We are combining the more cutting-edge techno­logies, such as iWebgate and Osirium, with those working in existing markets, such as anti-spam, but which have a different edge, such as CronLab."

Cirrus currently works with 10 reseller partners, including Nebulas Solutions Group and B2net.

"We want good-quality resellers," said Kacary. "We will support them until the point that they realise they can make money on the product and want to bring support in-house."

One of Cirrus' three initial signings, FireID, recently wound down trading after its main investor pulled out and Kacary said its vendor expansion drive would help spread Cirrus' risk.

Kay Bruen, managing director of channel consultancy Clipsham IT, said: "Cirrus only distributes vendors that have first been validated by the stakeholder network its founders have built up from years of high-level enterprise selling. To my knowledge this is unique.

"Its biggest challenge will be that its founders are not well known in the channel."
Osirium, which began shipping only last year, has appointed Vigil Software to work alongside Cirrus as a second distributor.

Osirium chief executive David Guyatt, who has built up several security brands including Minesweeper, said the vendor is looking for Check Point, Blue Coat, Websense and F5 partners to help scale its business.

"We are looking for organisations that are delivering solutions that incorporate a range of IT security devices," he said.