27 November 2007

Webroot buys Email Systems

Antony Savvas, Computer Weekly

US security software firm Webroot Software has bought UK-based e-mail security firm Email Systems for an undisclosed sum (company statement). Webroot said it will support "all existing customers of Email Systems and their current offerings".

Webroot will now provide a new e-mail and web security software-as-a-service (SaaS) product to customers that delivers e-mail archiving, image scanning and encryption, anti-spam, anti-phishing and anti-virus services.

Mike Irwin, chief operating officer of Webroot Software, said: "Email Systems offers an unrivalled SaaS technology that represents a tipping point in enterprise security. We now have the opportunity to offer it on a much bigger scale."

"The new organisation will incorporate the management, sales, marketing and technical teams of our two companies to create a true global partnership."

Neil Hammerton, chief executive of Email Systems, added: "By joining forces, we are poised to provide one of the most unique and powerful security solutions in the industry. SaaS is a disruptive technology that we've seen grow to dominate business applications and expect to see the same with security."

"The combination of Webroot's global support, the delivery to a far broader audience through our expanded channel reseller network, and our latest product release soon to be announced, we feel like we are poised to take full advantage of a technology sea-change," said Hammerton in the statement.

A version of this article first appeared on the web-site of Computer Weekly, at http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2007/11/28/228347/webroot-merges-with-email-systems-to-provide-firms-with-one-stop.htm. © Reed Business Information 2007.

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