Sunbelt Software, makers of the VIPRE antivirus platform, is to sign up Gem Distribution as it prepares to offer its range of antivirus, antispyware and email security tools through DSG stores.
Gem Distribution, which currently supplies rival Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC) (Norton) and Kaspersky security products to DSGi (LON:DSGI) stores brands including PC World and Dixons, will become Sunbelt’s second UK distributor following the vendors signing of Interactive Ideas in 2009.
David Parkin, UK sales director would not officially confirm the appointment of Gem Distribution, saying only that the firm planned to announce a formal agreement “with a second UK distributor” within the next few months, although he did confirm “…Our retail box will be in PC World by mid-May.”
VIPRE 4.0
The channel push is centred around the newly released VIPRE 4.0 platform, which Sunbelt is promoting on its better performance than rivals which Curt Larson, VIPRE product manager classes as bloatware. “On our [retail] boxes we do mention our performance advantage and the end of bloatware as an overriding theme,”
VIPRE Antivirus 4.0 includes new Antispyware technology, 64-bit rootkit support, better integration with Mozilla Firefox and support for more file types. Its new VIPRE Antivirus Premium 4.0 also includes bi-directional desktop firewall, HIPS, IDS, malicious web filtering, ad blocking and anti-phishing tools.
Larson claims the retail version of VIPRE 4.0 is likely to be only slightly cheaper than rival Norton products but with more features to offer better overall value. He also highlights its unlimited home user licensing model which means that for homes with multiple devices like PC, laptops and netbooks, VIPRE will offer a much more cost effective option for customers. The firm is also planning a Mac version.
Partner incentives
With the launch of VIPRE 4.0, Sunbelt is also strengthening its incentive for SME-focused partners including up to 50 percent discount passed through the channel for customers switching from rival product. The firm is also offering partners up to 30 percent commission on renewals.
