WatchGuard's 'Red Instead' Converts Customers

SEATTLE, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- WatchGuard® Technologies, a global leader of business security solutions, is pleased to announce that the North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) has gone "Red Instead;" switching to WatchGuard for their security needs.  With 17 networks and nearly 5,000 users, NCESD's network is substantial.  Scott James, Network Services Engineer for NCESD, manages 21 firewalls, 4 IP phone systems and multiple wireless networks, as well as provides second level support.

"With WatchGuard I have better management of the network. The WSM (WatchGuard System Manager) makes WatchGuard much easier to use than their competitor's products.  Being able to schedule a time to back up and upgrade the appliance is really nice," said James.  "With the competition you could get reporting at an additional cost, but it wasn't as in-depth, much harder to configure and the reports just didn't have the granularity that you get with WatchGuard appliances."  

WatchGuard's "Red Instead," a first of its kind program, offers free WatchGuard XTM multifunction firewalls and WatchGuard XCS messaging security and data loss prevention (DLP) appliances to businesses that trade in competitive multifunction firewalls or spam/web content security appliances.  NCESD took advantage of this program to upgrade their network security to ensure that students are protected from harmful content, educators have access to the tools they need, and that the network runs as efficiently as possible.

"The WatchGuard feature set, pricing and trade-in programs are clearly in line with what businesses need today," said Mark Romano, Director of Field Marketing at WatchGuard Technologies. "We are delighted that the 'Red Instead' program has been so well received.  This program gives our channel partners and customers a win-win balance of reducing costs while increasing network security efficacy."

More information about WatchGuard's "Red Instead" competitive trade-in program is available at www.WatchGuard.com.

About North Central Education Service District

North Central Education Service District aims to provide quality service through innovative educational programs for children and communities in central Washington. The Division of Educational Services provides tools to assist educators in their efforts to provide safe, healthy, and positive educational environments in which students can achieve high levels of academic success using educational technology. The Division of Administrative Services not only provides internal agency management to NCESD but also provides a comprehensive set of services to assist school district management with budgeting, state reporting, accounting, risk management, funding, student information, personnel management and compliance with federal, state and local laws.  For more information, please visit www.ncesd.org.

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

Since 1996, WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. has been the advanced technology leader of business security solutions, providing mission-critical protection to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. The WatchGuard family of wired and wireless unified threat management appliances, messaging, content security and SSL VPN remote access solutions provide extensible network, application and data protection, as well as unparalleled network visibility, management and control. WatchGuard products are backed by WatchGuard LiveSecurity® Service, an innovative support, maintenance, and education program. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle and has offices serving North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit www.watchguard.com.

WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

SOURCE WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.