Avast adds a new capability to its CloudCare platform that provides turnkey and policy-based protection against malicious websites, downloads, and locations.
Barracuda will also resell Avast’s anti-virus solutions to their MSPs, which is a major extension of Avast’s go-to-market, and one they are looking to replicate with other RMMs. They are also planning a major solution announcement around RSA a month from now.
Barracuda and Avast announce a new partnership which adds the ability to resell Avast’s anti-virus solution to Barracuda’s own portfolio. Barracuda will actually acquire the Managed Workplace RMM business, which should be a better fit with their MSP business than it was at Avast. Barracuda also stated its commitment to retain the Managed Workplace presence in Ottawa, where it originally began as Level Platforms.
The new Avast Business Antivirus integrates elements from both the legacy Avast and AVG anti-virus solutions, and is integrated into their Managed Workplace and CloudCare offerings.
Avast is providing the new tool free to its partners, in the belief that going forward they all need to focus much more on security than many have in the past.
The three year deal makes KYOCERA Document Solutions Canada an Avast Elite Channel Partner, and the managed IT services portfolio from AVG Business by Avast will be offered both to KYOCERA Document Solutions Canada’s customers and to their own channel.
Long-time Symantec exec Kevin Chapman moves into the SMB chair at Avast, freeing up interim SMB leader Glenn Taylor to return to his strategy role.
Avast also stresses its commitment to AVG’s RMM business, and indicates that while the goal is to expand the number of resellers, they will also be rationalizing the product line.
Part manufacturers’ rep, and part angel investor, Temprano will work with a limited number of European software companies to bring them to North America and successfully build up their businesses here.
While its acquisition by fellow Czech-based security vendor Avast approaches, AVG continues business as usual, completing the final phase of its North American distribution strategy that was first announced months before the acquisition. The deal will also apply in Canada, but has not yet been implemented here.
For the channel, the key issue is what the acquisition will mean to the SMB businesses of both companies, particularly the MSP-focused RMM business AVG originally acquired from Level Platforms. Avast CEO Vince Steckler addresses the issue.
While the product, aimed at the sub-100 seat market, is free, Avast thinks MSPs will sign on because the free product will attract new customers who they can then sell other services.
