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Trend Micro is taking its antivirus and content security software and services to a new usage-based, software-as-a-service license model for North American VARs and will offer the program through IT distributor Tech Data.

The deal fits into Tech Data’s ultimate managed services architecture. The Clearwater, Fla.-based distributor last week at its TechSelect conference in Salt Lake City announced two other service-based offerings to give VARs a head start into the managed services space.

Through the new program, authorized resellers receive a master Trend Micro software license with no up-front investment. Users are charged monthly, resellers receive recurring revenue and no license renewal is required, the company said. In addition, pricing for the program remains stable for the duration of the subscription period.

“Resellers bill customers on a monthly basis,” said Chee Tan, senior director of service provider business and architect of the Trend Micro service provider usage-based licensing program. “Whether you have 100 end users this month and 50 end users next month, you pay as you go.”

The program also provides resellers with a high touch model for working with customers, Tan said.

“It’s very easy with this for the MSP reseller to gain trust and be treated as a trusted advisor,” he said.

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