Webroot Software, a company specializing in anti-spyware software for both businesses and consumers, announced the availability of a new security solution for small and medium-sized businesses through its global distributor, Ingram Micro, and its Channel Edge partners.

Webroot SME Security is an Internet-based threat solution designed to protect SMEs (small and medium-size enterprises) from spyware and viruses. The company first announced its availability last week, touting that it combines the anti-virus technology from Sophos with the anti-spyware protection of Webroot Spy Sweeper Enterprise.

Webroot officials said the product represents a major new source of revenue for the company's partners.

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"Ingram Micro customers will find Webroot SME Security, with its installation simplicity and sophisticated feature set, an attractive solution for their core client base," said Jodi Honore of Ingram Micro in a prepared statement. "Small to medium-size businesses are very aware of online threats to their business and productivity. The addition of Webroot SME Security to our portfolio will provide another alternative for solution providers to be able to design and implement the best security solutions for their end-user customers."

Webroot SME Security is meant to alleviate installation and support expenditures for Webroot's Channel Edge partners and Ingram Micro resellers, Webroot officials said. The solution installs as a single desktop agent and provides continuous real-time protection.

New definition updates are distributed multiple times each day, Webroot officials said. In addition, Webroot SME Security has been carefully tested against other desktop security applications to ensure cooperation among products, officials added.

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Earlier in 2006, Webroot found that SMBs are especially vulnerable to malicious attacks due to their limited resources and lack of network security. Webroot officials said this new product is proof of their commitment to deliver desk top protection to the SMB market.

"Throughout the development of this product, our goal was to deliver an efficient, easy-to-use and cost-effective solution that specifically addressed the security pain points as well as the resource limitations faced by SMEs," said C. David Moll, CEO of Webroot Software, in the same statement. "SME Security meets all such criteria and because of this, we believe our channel partners will reap significant financial benefits from the resale of this product."

Webroot is offering its Channel Edge partners SME Security training via its channel-specific Webinar Series. Webroot is also providing pre-sales and engineering support, a technical support hotline, access to sales and marketing materials, and sales tools via the Channel Edge Partner Portal.

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