FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12 July 2003

MailGuard sets sights on tripling channel numbers

MailGuard's channel model appeals to IT & non-IT consultants working with SMEs

MailGuard Pty Limited, Australia's first and leading provider of outsourced email anti-virus, anti-spam and content filtering solutions, has launched a Channel Partner recruitment drive following a dramatic increase in demand for its outsourced email management services.

MailGuard is focused on tripling its channel partner numbers as take-up of its services continues to grow. "We are seeking additional channel partners in FY2004," said Craig McDonald, Channels Director.

The new partners will include Internet Service Providers, IT consultants, security resellers, as well as other non-IT specialist SME resellers, that wish to provide the highest level of protection for their customers, broaden their portfolio and generate a recurring monthly revenue stream.

"We know that MailGuard can offer significant advantages for businesses in terms of time and cost saving, security and productivity," said McDonald. "The challenge is to identify and address the potential market to ensure awareness and understanding of how MailGuard works. This is where our channel partners are crucial."

The company's services have been structured to be especially attractive to small to medium enterprises (SMEs), which are experiencing the greatest challenges in obtaining effective IT support and proactive network security. MailGuard clients do not need to purchase any hardware or software, and require no technical expertise or installation.

MailGuard has a two-tier Channel Partner Program - MailGuard Service Providers (MSP) and MailGuard Resellers. The two types of MailGuard Channel Partners generate different revenues for their levels of support and management activity.

MSPs offer a comprehensive security solution directly to their customers by providing two or more of MailGuard's operational functions and receive a percentage of ongoing revenue for sales, support, billing and hosting. MailGuard Resellers receive an upfront fee and monthly revenue for referring clients; they are not involved in any support, billing or hosting.

"Offering and implementing MailGuard to my clients has resulted in more than just attractive additional revenue for us," said Dale Patterson, Director of ThinkTech Pty Ltd, a MailGuard Service Provider. "Our clients' peace of mind is assured when it comes to all aspects of security 24 hours a day, without ThinkTech having to undertake any of the monitoring or notification work. The cost model works well for the client and us, and a number of clients have already told us that MailGuard has paid for itself many times over. ThinkTech and MailGuard are both heroes in an age where we must all filter everything coming into our networks."

The MailGuard email management and filtering solution is suitable for companies with one through to thousands of email users. Today, MailGuard services over 15,000 users and filters in excess of 200,000 emails daily throughout Australia and globally. These organisations include the AFL, Multiplex Constructions, Quiksilver International, Bakers Delight, Australia Wide Airlines (REX) and Sakata Rice Snacks Australia.

MailGuard requires a minimal initial investment starting at $199.00 plus a monthly fee of up to $5.50 per staff email address, depending on the number of users. Clients can be fully protected by MailGuard utilising the most sophisticated anti-virus/ anti-spam/ content filtering solution available, 24 hours a day.

Every week MailGuard saves its clients thousands of dollars by improving productivity, and eliminating virus-related downtime and data loss, by filtering emails at the Internet before they arrive at the local network.

MailGuard is launching two new services in September 2003 to meet growing demand from clients wishing to monitor and manage staff access to the Internet as well as a simple solution for archiving email - an increasingly important aspect of business record keeping.

Potential MailGuard Service Providers and MailGuard Resellers are encouraged to contact MailGuard on 1300 30 44 30.

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Issued by Rivers of Communication
On behalf of MailGuard

Media enquiries
Craig McDonald, Director of Strategy, MailGuard, tel: +61 3 9694 4444
Dolores Diez, Rivers of Communication, tel: +61 3 9572 4552 / 0417 330 881
email: dolores@riversofcom.com