NA to launch new delivery mechanism

After the successful implementation of McAfee ASaP model in the US, Network

Associates is launching McAfee ASaP for the first time in India by August-end.

McAfee ASaP is a specialized delivery mechanism for selling and managing its

security products through the Internet or a private network. "This does not

mean that we are doing away with the channels in India," asserts Vishwajeet

Deshmukh, Country Manager - SAARC. "Only the delivery mechanism is being

changed. Channels will continue to do the selling. We will be providing channel

partners with a URL and password, partner will sell this to customers for whom

it is just point, click, and protect," he adds.

The managed security service offerings primarily include:

VirusScan ASaP, VirusScreen ASaP, CyberCop ASaP and Firewall ASaP. These

products are being offered using NA patented Rumor technology, which enables

automatic updation, filtering, cleaning, vulnerability assessment, and firewall

protection on every desktop in a network without user intervention.

These will be done through an online network operating center (NOC) in India

but connected to the US. "In this model, channels don’t have to worry

about after-sales support," says Vishwajeet.

McAfee ASaP offerings will be priced about 1.8 times the price of its boxed

counterpart, but "McAfee ASaP reduces the cost and complexity of managing

e-business through its ASaP family of security services," adds Vishwajeet.

McAfee ASaP dedicates a considerable amount of resources to assist the

partner in successfully selling McAfee ASaP (or McAfee ASaP-based) security

services. An account team is assembled to work closely with the partner and to

customize messaging and programs to promote sales and end-user satisfaction.

Nelson Johny