FORT LEE, N.J., Jan. 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Whale Communications today announced that it is expanding its global channel program and will actively recruit referral, reseller, integration and service provider partners. Whale will build on its current channel distribution success to target strategic resellers in security and networking as well as complementary service providers.
"Enterprises require a solution to provide secure access across their enterprise - for employees, partners and customers - from any browser to key applications," said Gamiel Gran, Whale's Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Alliances. "Our channel program recognizes the unique skills of our partners to help customers fulfill their secure access strategies not only today but in the future."
Whale's e-Gap(r) Remote Access Appliance offers a combination of security and application-level usability that assures privacy and consistency of the user experience in any setting. It allows enterprises to support a variety of diverse user and IT resource communities, security policies, authentication methods and access tiers on a single device.
"This is a win for us and our customers," said Rob Masse, President of Canadian-based reseller GoSecure, Inc. "The Whale program provides us with training and demo units as well as pre- and post-sales support. The expertise we're developing in this critical new technology will give us competitive advantages for years to come."
In addition to recruiting resellers, integration and service providers, Whale's channel program formally recognizes referral partners, providing commission for participating in sales without a formal reselling agreement in place. Referral partners work hand-in-hand with Whale sales and technical teams to assure the highest levels of customer service without increasing staffing levels.
"This is a good opportunity for all the parties involved. We increase customer satisfaction and service and expand our business opportunities without the overhead of a new and different product line," said Mark Cochran, Vice President of Sales of software solutions provider PistolStar, Inc., a referral partner. "We can act as a pass-through if the customer prefers to buy from us, we can work with another Whale channel partner who specializes in security or network systems or the customer can buy direct from Whale - whatever the customer prefers."
Whale's approach builds on the success it has achieved not only in U.S. channel distribution but also in Europe.
"This enhanced program will bolster our current efforts," said Des Lekerman, Managing Director of Eurodata Systems, a UK-based master reseller. "Eurodata has always shown good intuition regarding leading technologies. We were among the first to resell Check Point and feel as strongly about this solution. Almost two years of working with Whale has confirmed our belief that the e-Gap appliance is the best of breed SSL VPN for the enterprise market, and selling to top enterprises such as DLA, AMEC, BT-Syntegra and Alea Group confirmed this. Whale's channel program is just another indication that it understands market needs and is meeting them in a way that will optimize the outcome for all of us."
Whale's Vice President of Sales Nilo Gutierrez said: "Our partners' success is our success. Many of our customers rely on channel partners to provide and service their IT systems and frankly we are experiencing more demand than we can fulfill alone. This program allows partners from across the spectrum to work with us to deploy a total solution for their clients remote access needs. It's a win for everyone involved."
For more information on the channel program please click here: http://www.whalecommunications.com/channel
About Whale Communications:
Whale Communications, the leading enterprise-class SSL VPN vendor, is enabling companies to provide employees and partners secure access to corporate data and applications from any web browser. Its award-winning solutions have been securing enterprises worldwide since it was founded in 1998. Privately held, Whale is funded by prominent venture firms and industry leaders, including Goldman Sachs, Soros Private Equity Partners and the BRM Group, the founding investor of Check Point Software Technologies. The company is headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey and has international offices in Israel, the United Kingdom and Germany.
About GoSecure:
GoSecure is a dynamic consulting firm that specializes in information security services such as assessments, architecture, design, and implementation as well as managed and support security services. Our approach and methodologies are based on leading practices such as the international standard ISO 17799, ITIL, ISO 13335 and CobiT. GoSecure's dynamic team consists of highly skilled and certified professionals with strong audit and consulting backgrounds with certifications that range from CISSP to CISA. GoSecure provides value-added services that bring leading practices knowledge and years of information security experience to its client.
Customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to law enforcement agencies count on GoSecure for securing their business. For more information, please visit GoSecure on the web at http://www.gosecure.ca
About PistolStar:
Since launching in 1999, PistolStar has served Global 1000 companies in several industries, including banking, finance, consumer products, media, advertising, retail, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and government.
An IBM Advanced Business Partner, PistolStar offers the following solutions to IBM Lotus middleware users: Facet IM Solutions for IBM Lotus Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing (Sametime) and Facet Workplace Solutions for IBM Lotus Team Workplace (QuickPlace), browser-based solutions that offer enterprise-wide usage management, security, and troubleshooting functionality; ADR (Automatic Desktop Reconfiguration), a precise, timesaving solution ensuring seamless Domino server transitioning in large-scale deployments; and Web Set Password. PistolStar compliments its solutions by providing customers with immediate, advanced-level support and service. For more information visit the PistolStar Website at www.pistolstar.com.
About Eurodata Systems:
Established in 1990, Eurodata Systems is an IT solutions provider offering a full suite of network communications solutions that meet the specific business needs of many organisations. It is a mature business with over 100 technical staff. Eurodata Systems collaborates with its clients to consistently and cost-effectively plan, execute and deliver high-quality services. Eurodata Systems offers medium to large-sized enterprises expert consultancy, to enable them reap the many benefits brought by today's technology. Current clients include, Royal Opera House, London Borough of Hackney and Alea. For more information, please visit: www.eurodatasystems.com. Eurodata Systems was the first UK master reseller of Whale Communications solutions.