Avnet Technology Solutions and SurfControl Sign Agreement for the Australian Channel

Enables partners to address growing market demand for network and endpoint IT security solutions

Sydney, Australia -- Avnet Technology Solutions, a value-added distributor of enterprise computing products, software and services, and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT) and SurfControl plc (London:SRF.L), a leading provider of global on-demand, network and endpoint IT security solutions, today announced a new distribution agreement. Under the agreement, Avnet will distribute and provide pre sales services and support for all of SurfControl’s web and e-mail security solutions to value-added reseller partners in Australia and New Zealand. General Manager for Avnet Technology Solutions Australia, Gavin Lawless, noted, “This is a significant opportunity for Avnet Australia as it represents the first agreement of this kind for Avnet in the world with SurfControl. Avnet Technology Solutions is a vital link between the industry’s premier technology manufacturers and hundreds of solution providers serving mid-market businesses working with SurfControl will allow us to reinforce this link,” said Lawless. SurfControl’s National Partner Manager Daniel Crnkovich said the distribution deal would give more partners access to SurfControl’s new on-demand web and e-mail security services, MailControl and WebDefense.

“We are seeing strong interest in the on-demand services from the Australian market and uptake to date is double our expectations. The partnership with Avnet will provide more partners with the opportunity to take advantage of this market growth.”

Crnkovich said SurfControl had traditionally sold through security software resellers but SurfControl’s solutions portfolio had expanded in the past six years, prompting the decision to move to a distribution model.

“SurfControl’s solutions portfolio now spans software, appliance and on-demand web and e-mail security and we’ve needed to stock more as a result. A value added distributor will allow us to provide a better level of service, which will in turn help partners improve their bottom line,” he said.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Avnet because of their national reach in the market and their commitment to SurfControl as a foundation security partner for their business in Australia. SurfControl is also investing resources and headcount to support the deal.”

In summary, Avnet will be able to leverage its existing base of solution providers as well as the chance to work with new solution providers in driving the SurfControl message. “One of the great aspects about SurfControl is that they are a channel friendly organization, they understand the value that solution providers bring to the market and they understand the role that value distribution plays” added Lawless.