Sunbelt Software acquired by GFI

by Steve Ragan - Jul 13 2010, 16:00

Sunbelt Software, the company responsible for VIPRE, has been purchased by GFI Software, though the full terms of the agreement have been withheld. The main reason for the acquisition, based on statements from GFI, is to purchase VIPRE and include it with GFI’s email and Web security offerings.

In a brief statement announcing the acquisition, GFI said Sunbelt’s 16-year-old software distribution business will be divested into a separate entity. As mentioned, there are plans to merge VIPRE’s technology into GFI’s Web and email security.

When it comes to the anti-Malware engine, the core of VIPRE itself, it will appear in various GFI products, including services for MSPs such as GFI MAX RemoteManagement [The Tech Herald's review of VIPRE 4.0 can be found here].

Walter Scott, GFI’s CEO, said in a statement that GFI has “acquired a good, growing and cash-flow positive business that fits well within GFI’s strategic vision to consolidate our products and grow our business.”

“Furthermore, Sunbelt’s technology is backed by a reliable, committed customer support team that provides great service – something so important for us,” he added.

According to a blog post by Alex Eckelberry, there are no solid plans for integration on a broad scale, but Sunbelt is “working with the GFI team to identify areas where their technologies would complement our offerings.”

Eckelberry also said the merger with GFI will allow Sunbelt to expand into several areas, including DLP, cloud-based technologies, patch management, and vulnerability assessment.

“In addition to the technology side,” Eckelberry added, “GFI provides additional resources in terms of capital, management expertise, systems, and new markets.”

In an interview with The Tech Herald, Eckelberry explained that the deal with GFI was months in the making. Hearing Sunbelt’s side of things, we can see why this would be a smart decision for the business.

Another bonus centers on the employees at Sunbelt, the vast majority of which will be keeping their jobs. Early on in the talks, there were only 10 positions that were seen as redundant. The fact that GFI wanted to keep the staff was a comfort to Eckelberry.

Sunbelt was growing, rapidly, and while it was profitable and successful, there comes a time when there needs to me more. For example, Europe was a largely untapped market for Sunbelt, but it is a goldmine all on its own. The merger with GFI allows Sunbelt to gain a solid presence in Europe, which is expected to drive new business.

“They’re building a great company,” Eckelberry said of GFI. “They really do practice what they preach. I’m going to be taking a lot of their technology, from vulnerability assessment to DLP, and include it in VIPRE Enterprise.”

Overall, Eckelberry is pleased with the partnership, and expects big things to come from it.

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