Alpha Generation has close encounter with AlienVault
New distributor on the block signs fourth vendor ally
Distribution newcomer Alpha Generation has reiterated it is only interested in carrying "proactive" security technologies after signing AlienVault as its fourth vendor.
Alpha, which was launched last summer by a band of former Arc staff including managing director Stuart Reay, will push AlienVault's Unified Security Management platform to its growing network of resellers alongside incumbent Cohort Technology.
Reay said the fact that AlienVault has $66m (£40m) VC lolly behind it, is tipped to be heading for a 2016 IPO and plays in the red-hot security information and event management (SIEM) space all made the California-based firm a desirable signing.
"It also fits into our remit that our vendors must have an MSP or cloud capability, so it ticks all the boxes," Reay said.
AlienVault's platform – which combines five capabilities including security intelligence reporting – scales from entry-level deals worth $3,000 to seven-figure installations, meaning the distributor is hunting both for niche boutique security VARs and larger integrators such as Logicalis to come on board. Those with skills in Linux are particularly desirable.
The vendor closed a $750,000 deal with an unnamed UK bank over Christmas, Reay said.
AlienVault joins GalaxKey, Network Instruments and Secunia in Alpha's vendor portfolio, which Reay said would not be added to significantly in 2014.
"Never say never, but unless there is an extremely compelling reason for Alpha to take on an anti-virus technology, it is highly unlikely we will go down that road as we see that as reactive security," he said.
"In the short term, we believe we have ample [going] on with the vendors we have signed to achieve our first full-year revenue goal. In the next three years we don't envisage having more than eight or 10 vendors."
Reay expressed unease that the biting economy has left some VARs more reluctant to scope out new technology than when he exited Arc three years ago.
"But happily, there are enough resellers out there who do have an appetite for what is new," he added.