Synaq provides safer e-mail for Storm customers

Synaq, a leading Linux and open source services specialist, has extended its technology partnership with Storm Telecom, a major provider of voice and data solutions to businesses in South Africa, in an agreement which sees Storm including Synaq's Pinpoint Securemail e-mail security solution into its data services offering.

The two companies have been working together since early 2006, where Synaq provided Storm with the Linux server component of the majority of Storm's uncapped DSL solutions for proxy services, traffic shaping and firewalling.

Both companies view the alliance as the next logical step forward in their relationship.

Synaq has proven its technical competence, experience and capability to partner, and deliver custom-built solutions for the customer within given timeframes.

"Our customers are looking to us to provide high-speed, reliable voice and data solutions that also take management and security headaches off their hands. By bundling Synaq's e-mail security technology with our data solutions, we can relieve stresses on client's internal IT staff who would otherwise have to constantly deal with e-mail-born viruses, Trojans and phishing attempts, and worry about keeping scanners up to date to detect the latest attacks," explains Clifford Giesenow, Data Business Unit Manager at Storm.

Pinpoint Securemail acts as a first line of defence between the public Internet and a company's e-mail servers, scanning e-mail using any combination of up to 14 different virus scanners that automatically update themselves with the latest malware signatures. It identifies over 95% of spam using multiple techniques, including highly advanced heuristics. Pinpoint Securemail is based on open source software modules that are thoroughly tested by organisations around the world, and is highly scalable, able to process over a million messages per day.

"This agreement for Storm to exclusively use Pinpoint Securemail in its data solutions strengthens Synaq's position as a provider of highly regarded, enterprise-class e-mail security solutions. It gives a strong vote of confidence in Synaq's ability to deliver on mission-critical services and solutions to the corporate market," says Yossi Hasson, Synaq's Sales and Marketing Director.

According to Hasson, this agreement requires a great deal of mutual confidence as both parties share the risks in making it a success.

"Synaq has made an investment in the required infrastructure, software and technical skills, while Storm is supplying the required bandwidth, sales, marketing and help-desk support for this product offering. The structure of this venture ensures that as the solution grows, both companies benefit and grow together," he says.