(I-Newswire) March 14, 2005 - WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WGRD), a leading provider of network security solutions, today announced agreements with Afiintra Technologies in Malaysia, NTT West in Japan and Blitz IT, headquartered in Singapore, to strengthen and maximize WatchGuard's exposure and market share in the Asia-Pacific region.
Afiintra Technologies specializes in the distribution of network security and access network products to small and medium enterprises. It has wide sales distribution and maintenance support coverage, a proven track record and strong strategic alliance teams throughout Malaysia. In addition to marketing and distributing WatchGuard's full suite of solutions and providing maintenance support to end-users, Afiintra will develop certified WatchGuard Secure Partners (WSPs) and WatchGuard Certified System Professionals (WCSPs) to provide value added services, technical consultancy and after sales support.
In Japan, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation (NTT West) has become a WatchGuard Secure Partner (WSP) to sell WatchGuard's full line of network security solutions in the western part of the country. The WSP program rewards partners on sales of security services, add-on functionality and upgrades in addition to sales of security appliances. As a qualified WSP, NTT West can offer its customers WatchGuard renewable subscription services such as Gateway AntiVirus for E-mail, WebBlocker, SpamScreen and LiveSecurity, which provides alerts, broadcasts, advice and training to subscribers.
"This partnership with WatchGuard strengthens our security offerings to the SME market. We will be able to provide a more secure network environment to our customers," said Mr. Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, director of NTT West's security service promotion office.
Additionally, WatchGuard announced it has appointed Blitz IT as its first Managed Security Services (MSS) partner in Southeast Asia. WatchGuard's MSS offering gives managed security service providers an upgradeable, integrated security appliance that meets customers' growing needs while maintaining low operating costs. It relieves internal IT staff of important, yet time-consuming, security tasks so that resources can be more efficiently and effectively deployed throughout the organization.
Blitz IT, a provider of end-to-end managed IT security solutions and services to SMEs and growing enterprises, extends a comprehensive suite of services with WatchGuard's MSS offering, which comprises the latest WatchGuard firewall updates, MSS configuration and set up, round-the-clock monitoring and alert, auxiliary support service and regular activity reports. The company is also able to provide full customization of IT security services to better meet customers' requirements.
"WatchGuard's upgradeable and integrated security appliance strategy provides growing enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region with a truly differentiated security option," said Jeff Hurmuses, Managing Director Asia-Pacific, WatchGuard Technologies. "Working with the best partners in each region will provide the greatest opportunity to deliver WatchGuard's products and expertise through familiar channels."
About Afiintra Technologies
Afiintra Technologies, established in 2001, started as a Total Solution Provider. With a bold vision and solid groundwork, Afiintra has today successfully imprinted itself in the local ICT market as a distributor specialising in network security and access network products.
About NTT West
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation (NTT West) was created in the restructuring of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) on July 1, 1999, and undertook the operations of regional intre-prefectural telecommunications for 30 prefectures in Western Japan. Since then, it has been providing sound business administration as a corporation responsible for the provision of appropriate, equitable and stable regional telecommunications (Universal Service Provider). Along with this, in connection to its previous sole ownership of telecommunication facilities when functioning as a single corporation, it has been independently tackling Network Liberalization, being actively open to other telecommunications service providers with a policy of fair valuation. Presently, NTT West's network system provides access in various forms to many enterprises and, reflecting efficiencies created in its various managerial and administrative changes, is implementing year-by-year reductions in connection costs. NTT West is actively promoting changeover in the business domain to Internet Protocol (IP), developing low-cost Internet access, and carving out a new business arena in the area of Broadband Information Communications. Empowered by its advanced technologies and wisdom that have been introduced and cultivated over the long history, and by its continuing commitment to do so into the future, NTT West strives to return the results of its efforts to society at large, starting with the customers. By doing so NTT West looks forward to playing a significant role in the implementation of a rich and prospering IT society.
About Blitz IT Consultants Pte Ltd
Blitz IT Consultants Pte Ltd was established in July 1998 as a service provider dedicated to supporting the local banking and financial sector. In response to market demands, the company expanded its services to include IT software development, procurement and outsourcing for the regional SME market. Blitz IT also designs and develops customized solutions to meet customers' growing demands and changing needs.
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard is a leading provider of network security solutions for small- to mid-sized enterprises worldwide, delivering integrated products and services that are robust, as well as easy-to-buy, -deploy and -manage. The company's Firebox X line of expandable, integrated security appliances is designed to be fully-upgradeable as an organisation grows, and to deliver the industry's best combination of security, performance, intuitive interface and value. WatchGuard Intelligent Layered Security architecture protects against emerging threats effectively and efficiently, and provides the flexibility to integrate additional security functionality and services offered through WatchGuard. Every WatchGuard product comes with an initial LiveSecurity Service subscription to help customers stay on top of the security landscape with vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction and superior customer care. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and has its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore with other offices in Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo. For more information, please visit www.watchguard.com.
Certain statements in this press release, including statements about our ability to increase our market share in the Asia-Pacific region and other statements about our plans, objectives, intentions, and expectations are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risk that we will be unable to grow our business in the Asia-Pacific region as expected or at all and the other risks described under "Important Factors That May Affect Our Operating Results, Our Business and Our Stock Price" in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, and in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.
WatchGuard, LiveSecurity and Firebox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact: Rachel Kim Euretig
LEWIS PR for WatchGuard
415.277.5400
Jeff Wenker
WatchGuard Public Relations
206.613.6646
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