Irish security software firm signs deals to boost export sales

AN IRISH company which provides security software over the internet has signed two distribution agreements aimed at extending the company’s reach into overseas markets.

MXSweep’s services are to be hosted on SaaSplaza, a provider of software as a service based in Amsterdam. Among SaaSplaza’s customers is Tech Data, one of the world’s largest IT distributors.

The deal will give MXSweep access to 6,000 resellers on Tech Data’s books in the Benelux region and more than 90,000 worldwide.

The second agreement is a strategic partnership with Jamcracker, which will offer MXSweep e-mail security services through its online software network. Jamcracker deals mainly with telecoms firms that are becoming more active in software distribution.

Aiden Callaly, vice president of sales with MXSweep, said the deals reflected a change in strategy. Rather than trying to sell its services directly to businesses, MXSweep will offer its services exclusively through other online software providers.

“Increasingly, that’s the way things are moving; our software is sold as part of a business package,” said Mr Callaly.

The deals will also allow MXSweep to expand its customer base beyond Ireland and Britain.

“The business has changed fundamentally in the last 12 months and we’re much more internationally focused,” Mr Callaly said. He added that MXSweep was also in discussions about a distribution deal in the Middle East.

“We’re very active in Ireland and would like to do more business here, but to grow the business at the level we want to, we have to look elsewhere.”

Historically, supplying software to international markets was very expensive and usually involved setting up and staffing offices abroad. Using the internet as a delivery mechanism greatly reduced the costs, said Mr Callaly.

MXSweep expects to be cash positive by the end of the second quarter of this year. The company, which is majority owned by Kingspan founder Eugene Murtagh, recently began a funding round. The investment, likely to be less than €1 million, will primarily fund research and development.