Postini Rivals Intro Cloud Email Security Migration Services

September 5, 2012

2 Min Read
Postini Rivals Intro Cloud Email Security Migration Services

By samdizzy

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As Google gradually shifts Postini services into Google Apps, rival email security companies are introducing Postini migration services for customers and channel partners. Among those trying to win the Postini user base: EdgeWave (promoting ePrism), ExchangeDefender, Maildistiller, Proofpoint and Roaring Penguin.

Google announced in August 2012 a plan to end the Postini brand in 2013. In a blog Google stated: As we look ahead to 2013, we’ll continue these feature integrations and gradually transition Postini Google Message Security (GMS) and Google Message Discovery (GMD) customers to Google Apps.

Now, numerous email security companies are weighing in with plans to win over Postini customers:

  • EdgeWave: The company, a provider of Secure Content Management (SCM) solutions, introduced a Switch to ePrism Email Security Suite. The suite includes anti-spam, anti-virus, continuity, data loss protection, encryption and archiving services.

  • ExchangeDefender:  “We have recognized that there are many users that do not want to be forced into moving to the complete Google offering. We want to make the transition as easy as possible to ExchangeDefender by offering migration assistance, our engineers will migrate configuration and user data free of charge,” said Frank Gurnee, VP of channel services for ExchangeDefender.

  • Maildistiller: The security company is alerting partners and customers about the Postini service change, and attempting to win over those partners and customers.

  • Proofpoint: The security-as-a-service provider, has introduced a free migration path for Google Postini customers evaluating new email security and compliance solutions. Details are available here: http://www.proofpoint.com/postiniswitch.

  • Roaring Penguin: Stuart Crawford, an MSP advocate, is alerting MSPs about Roaring Penguin’s CanIt solution, which includes live technical support by phone or email. Details are here: http://www.roaringpenguin.com/postini-replacement.

So what’s the reality here for channel partners — particularly Google Apps partners?

Yes, Google’s decision to fold Postini into Google Apps represents an inflection point for partners and customers. Inflection points often trigger some customer defections. We’ll be watching to see if or how those defections occur, and which platforms partners and customers embrace.

At the same time: Don’t underestimate Google’s channel ecosystem. There are now 6,000 Google Apps channel partners. Plus, some major cloud distributors, like Excel Micro, support both Google Apps and Google Postini. It’s a safe bet the Google channel ecosystem will remain really close to the Postini customer base in the weeks and months ahead.

Talkin’ Cloud has reached out to Google and Excel Micro, among others, for more potential thoughts on how the Google Apps channel ecosystem may evolve as Postini capabilities surface in Google Apps.

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