astro posted on July 17, 2010 08:19
GFI Software announced its acquisition of Clearwater, FL-based Sunbelt Software for an undisclosed price. The companies said the goal of the merger is to develop integrated security products for both on-premises use and the cloud.
GFI Software, based in Malta with a U.S. office in Raleigh, N.C. and several locations throughout world, offers Web and e-mail security; Sunbelt Software provides antivirus and antispyware security software.
Sunbelt CEO Alex Eckelberry says no specific plans have been made yet in terms of product integration strategies, but "we are working with the GFI team to identify areas where their technologies would complement our offerings.Eckelberry plans to stay on, post-acquisition, to continue running Sunbelt's VIPRE technology product operations, though Sunbelt co-founder Stu Sjouwerman will be retiring.
GFI is expected to bring additional capital and management expertise to Sunbelt, helping it push its products into new markets.Walter Scott, GFI's CEO says: "We see this investment in Sunbelt and its VIPRE anti-malware client technology as an excellent opportunity to increase our installed base, drive the software globally through our international partner channel and also build our consumer market."