Mimecast picks up Webroot partners

Email archiving vendor announces partnerships with several of its beleaguered rival's VARs

Mimecast has capitalised on Webroot's decision to exit the email archiving market by signing several of its rival's partners.

The vendor specialises in cloud-based email archiving as well as continuity and security tools that are designed for use with Microsoft Exchange and Office 365.

Since ChannelWeb first revealed Webroot's plans to end support for its email archiving products, Mimecast's offerings have been touted by the channel as a viable alternative.

Security VAR Infosec Technologies listed Mimecast's products amongst its roll call of vendors whose technology would be a good fit for resellers caught out by Webroot's strategy change.

The VAR has followed up this declaration by becoming a member of the Mimecast partner programme, along with fellow Webroot VARs Security Partnerships and LIMA Networks.

The firm has also recently signed reseller agreements with Microsoft partners Content and Code, Parative and Polymorph, which will use its products to migrate customers onto Exchange 2010 and Office 365.

Nessa Lynchehaun, European channel director at Mimecast, admitted the Webroot situation has worked in the firm's favour.

"When we talk to customers, it is clear that, where cloud is concerned, they want products that deliver a cost-effective solution to their problems from a solid, commercial vendor," she told ChannelWeb.

"Our technology has been built from the ground up – they are not third-party products – and we have very big plans for the Mimecast platform."

Webroot partners welcomed into the Mimecast fold will be urged not to limit themselves to selling just its email security products.

"A lot of Webroot partners specialise in email security, but we offer a whole set of services around email," said Lynchehaun.

"What we are saying to them is that if security is all you need right now, that's fine. If you want to move beyond that, we can help."

In a statement, Pete Sherwood, managing director of Mimecast partner Infosec Technologies, said: "Prior to the recent announcement by Webroot, we conducted a thorough review of the email security-as-a-service market.

"Mimecast is renowned within the industry, will offer our Webroot customers ease of data migration, and is a great fit for our business."