Bloxx picks VCW as first distributor

Web filtering vendor charges VCW with task of doubling reseller tally to 40 over next six months

Web filtering challenger Bloxx has appointed its first UK distributor in the form of VCW.

Bloxx has traditionally operated a one-tier model – working through about 20 UK resellers – but concluded it was the right time to scale its channel through a distributor.

Chief executive Eamonn Doyle said Bloxx had come close to engaging with Fresh Egg, the previous venture of VCW Security managing director Graham Fox, in 2006.

"That connection allowed us to re-engage with VCW," he added.

"VCW is also working hard to put together a portfolio of security products and we had the chance to be its primary web filtering product."

VCW has been given the task of recruiting a further 20 partners over the next six months in select vertical markets including education and healthcare. Existing partners will still have the choice of dealing direct with Bloxx.

Doyle billed Bloxx as a mid-priced web filtering vendor, sitting below enterprise players such as Blue Coat and Websense but above "cheap and cheerful" outfits such as Barracuda.

Bloxx's revenue for the six months to 30 September rose 24 per cent year on year, Doyle said.

"Our primary focus is to drive new technologies in the web filtering market," he added. "We are moving towards deploying the technology on a number of delivery mechanisms rather than just solely appliances.

"We are still expanding and hungry to take share from competitors."