Sophos Anti-virus Software Launched in Kenya
27 Jul 2004

The third largest corporate anti-virus software vendor in the world, Sophos, launched its presence in East Africa at a Reseller Event held at The Stanley Hotel in Nairobi. A household name, particularly amongst medium to large corporates elsewhere in the world, Sophos, based in the UK and established in South Africa, has its eye on the rest of the continent.

Hillside Technologies Southern Africa, Sophos Distributor for the sub-Saharan region (with the sole exception of South Africa) which drives the marketing and distribution of Sophos products, operating out of Zimbabwe and Mauritius, has appointed Nairobi based Mecer East Africa Ltd as its Authorised Representative in Kenya, with immediate effect.

Mecer was adjudged a highly suitable representative for this world class anti-virus vendor, having the experience, expertise and infrastructure necessary to offer the level of technical support which Sophos ensures it can provide for all customers globally.

To a market hungry to protect itself from ever increasing volumes of viruses and spam, Hillside Technologies brings the long experience and energy of its people in the effective establishment of brand awareness and presence in this region.

Hillside Technologies Managing Director, Geoff Goss and team, known to the IT industry and its customers over many years, and with a very strong marketing background, have pledged rapidly to establish this world class anti-virus brand throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Geoff Goss, and Mecer East Africa Managing Director, Ricarda McFalls, spent many years building brands for other IT products. While Hillside has already established a strong presence for Sophos products in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, Namibia and Botswana, Mecer will be responsible for rolling the product out in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan.

Mark Snell, Technical Director, Hillside Technologies, presented the Sophos products at the Nairobi Launch. “Computer viruses become a bigger issue by the day for users, and the corporate market have good reason to be absolutely sure their systems are completely safe, as the numbers proliferate almost exponentially, with the potential to cause irritation, delay, expense and bad publicity for any company which does not take the vital steps needed to protect itself” reported Snell.

“Sophos approaches the problem of viruses in a more circumspect and realistic manner than some vendors. There is an unfortunate tendency all over the world to be alarmist and sensationalist about viruses. This alarmist attitude is also responsible for the unbelievably rapid spread of virus hoaxes which chew up time and therefore money, as well as causing much unnecessary anxiety.

We aim to establish Sophos as a leading vendor across Africa, but we will not be doing so by spreading alarm and despondency. Viruses can certainly cause damage, but they are not the unprecedented disasters some would lead you to believe.”

“We are absolutely delighted to be selected to offer Sophos in Kenya” said Ricarda McFalls, Managing Director of Mecer East Africa Ltd, who like Goss has a long and prestigious history of involvement in IT distribution in Africa. “We see exciting possibilities for the Sophos anti-virus brand in Kenya and indeed in this region.

There is certainly a need for companies in Kenya and neighbouring countries to take far better steps to protect themselves from the scourge of viruses and spam. Many companies across Africa are not adequately protected, and the consequent nuisance, loss of time and hence money, and fall out in terms of customer faith, particularly in regard to banks and other organisations for whom IT systems are mission critical, are far-reaching, yet easily preventable. We much look forward to creating markets for this world class brand.”

Over 75000 computer viruses exist today, and the number currently increases by between 500 and 800 each month. However, only about 3% of these will find their way into the wild and infect anyone. Sophos was established in 1985 and today has 20 million users globally. Sophos offers industrial-strength protection against viruses and spam to business users in 150 countries with low overhead and 24x7 support.

Sophos only sells to corporate customers, which reduces congestion on support lines during a virus attack, enabling it to offer the corporate market a superior service level. Mecer East Africa Limited has been appointed to distribute Sophos products in East Africa, in conjunction with Hillside Technologies Limited of Mauritius