WatchGuard Technologies, a leading provider of network security solutions, has announced a new major release of Fireware 9.0, the software that propels their Firebox X Core and Peak security appliances for mid-sized businesses.
Fireware 9.0 dramatically increases the functionality and performance of the Firebox X Core and Peak security appliances to give network administrators a new-found level of granular control and stability. This release introduces a robust set of advanced networking features – each integrated within the system manager – including VPN failover, support for IKE third-party certificates, drag-and-drop VPN tunnel creation, policy-based routing, VLAN, QoS, multi-WAN failover, load balancing, and high availability with firewall rules. Robert Ward, Product Marketing Manager for Firebox X Core and Peak, said, “With Fireware 9.0, WatchGuard has delivered a quality appliance that matches or exceeds competitive offerings. We delivered Edge with a Unified Threat Management (UTM) suite in December. This restored the company's position of leadership in security appliances for small businesses. With Fireware 9.0, we believe WatchGuard can now resume a position of competitive leadership for security appliances for medium-sized enterprises.”
“Our recent migration from WFS [a Fireware predecessor] to Fireware 9.0 has gone very smoothly,” said Alan Mercer, Director of Technology Integration for US-based Associated Catholic Charities. “The multi-WAN failover capabilities allowed us to simplify our network technology considerably and streamline day-to-day management.”
Firebox X Core appliances are ideal for small- and mid-sized enterprises with 50 to 750 users, and are capable of 300+ Mbps of firewall throughput. Firebox X Peak appliances can support 500 to 2,000 users with 2.0 Gbps of firewall throughput. Both appliances offer complete UTM solutions including anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, intrusion prevention, and URL filtering.
Most Firebox X Core and Peak appliances can easily be upgraded to higher models in the product line by the simple application of a licence key. This allows an organization to adapt and expand, meeting the evolving needs of its business. Every Core and Peak e-Series appliance is environmentally friendly, meeting European Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) requirements.
New Channel Partner Programme
Along with the new Fireware 9.0 announcement, WatchGuard is announcing a new channel partner programme, which includes a co-op programme to help partners fund marketing programmes, free marketing consultations for partners to help plan and execute effective marketing programmes, and the delivery of monthly turn-key marketing campaigns. These campaigns include a variety of customizable direct mail, electronic direct mail, ad artwork and copy, sample landing pages, sales presentations, scripts for telemarketing, and tips on maximizing effective use of campaigns. Elements of the turn-key campaigns are easily customizable to allow for co-branding and style preferences, and are translated into seven languages: Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, Spanish, French, and Italian.
“Rather than focus our time on planning a market development fund, we are focusing our time on working with our partners to fund marketing plans that will achieve our mutual goals for driving revenue from WatchGuard products,” said Kathleen Brush, Ph.D., Vice President of Marketing for WatchGuard. “Our partners are enthusiastic about the provision of co-op, free marketing expertise, and the ready availability of customizable co-branded marketing materials”.
Pricing and Availability
WatchGuard Firebox X Core appliances with Fireware 9.0 start at US$1,605 for the wired X550e model. New reduced pricing for the UTM bundles for Core appliances starts at US$2,200. The new solutions are immediately available through WatchGuard resellers worldwide.
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