AVS Content Security is to distribute the eSoft InstaGate EX2 multi-purpose firewall locally, rebranded and supported by AVS. It hopes to move 500 of the units within the first year of availability.
The EX2 firewall includes virtual private networking capabilities and can act as a Web or e-mail server. The laptop-sized box ships with an Intel 566MHz processor, 10.2GB hard drive, 64MB RAM and a generic security policy and anti-virus configuration on Red Hat Linux.
AVS says the product is aimed at groups of between 50 and 250 users and will be priced at between R10 000 and R70 000.
"The big advantage is that this is a once-off purchase," says AVS MD Clint Carrick. "We think that is pretty unique."
Carrick says the unit is being packaged with a view to putting it on retail shelves with a standard software installation, although "we sort of insist on a kind of consultancy" in the case of larger clients.
The EX2 uses eSoft "SoftPaks" third-party software tested and adapted by eSoft and available from its Web site. Carrick says the profits from annualised software payments, such as for anti-virus updates, subsidises the cost of hardware to some extent. Available software includes spam filters, voice over Internet protocol applications and Web-based e-mail access.
AVS says about 60 resellers have already expressed interest in the product, lured by high margins. "Typically you are looking at 25% margins for resellers and there is annualised revenue on the software which also goes back to the reseller," says Carrick.
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