GFI Software: New Hire, New White Label Mail Archive Service

GFI Software is continuing to create ripples through the managed services software market. The latest examples include hiring Tech Data veteran Jarred LeFebvre and recently launching the GFI Max MailArchive service. Those efforts follow the February 2010 hiring of Channel Chief Pat Hume (an SAP veteran). Here’s a closer look at each step, and the bigger picture at GFI.

LeFebvre previously manage channel media communications at Tech Data. While there, LeFebvre build relationship with dozens of channel-centric hardware and software companies while also working closely with journalists and bloggers. LeFebrvre joined GFI Software this month as PR manager, amid GFI’s continuing effort to accelerate its GFI Max business with MSPs. The business line includes monitoring tools, security tools and storage solutions, among others. No doubt, he will help to ensure Hume’s channel strategy is clearly communicated to media and partners.

New Launch

Meanwhile, GFI recently launched the GFI Max MailArchive Service.  According to a company press release, clients  can use the mail archive function to, among other things, “archive email messages to geographically distributed data centers for future search, reference and retrieval.”

The new service is a white label product, meaning GFI Max’s MSP partner base can re-brand the service as their own when offering it to potential clients. “There won’t be any sign that it came from us,” said General Manager of the GFI Max Business Unit Alistair Forbes. “MSP’s can activate the service through their existing control panel. There’s no need for them to install any new software.” Those interested can get a 30-day free trial of the version. The pricing is on a case-by-case basis.

MailArchive went live this month in North America, where Alistair says the majority of the company’s mail protection customers are located. GFI Max plans to expand the new offering to the U.K. at the end of the current fiscal quarter and then take on a new region every quarter after that until the service is available to all of its clients. “It [MailArchive] puts us on an even level with competitors like Message Labs and others,” Forbes asserts.

Also, Forbes says GFI Max is set to integrate with VIPRE Anti-Virus while also integrating the mail protection service with the remote management and monitoring solution.

Familiar Theme

As the managed services market matures, we’re seeing MSP software providers and Master MSPs connect the dots between multiple RMM, storage and security solutions. Base monitoring remains a universal requirement, but integration with multiple cloud storage and security services seems to be the larger trend at the moment.

Additional reporting by Joe Panettieri. Sign up for MSPmentor’s Weekly Enewsletter, Webcasts and Resource Center. Follow us via RSS, Facebook, Identi.ca and Twitter. Check out more MSP voices at www.MSPtweet.com. Read our editorial disclosure here.