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WatchGuard Named as a CRN Emerging Tech Vendor

New WatchGuard SSL 1000 and WatchGuard SSL 500 VPN Appliances Recognized by CRN

SEATTLE - July 01, 2008. WatchGuard® Technologies, a global leader in extensible network security and connectivity solutions, today announced that it was selected by Everything Channel as a CRN Emerging Tech vendor for the WatchGuard SSL 1000 and WatchGuard SSL 500 family of enterprise-class SSL VPN solutions.

"Businesses today are increasingly relying on mobile and remote workers to be more productive and efficient," said Mark Romano, director of global channel marketing at WatchGuard Technologies. "To meet this need, WatchGuard provides two new SSL VPN solutions, which offer highly secure connectivity for mid-market and enterprise customers who want highly reliable, resilient and robust performance."

According to the CRN Emerging Tech Survey, the top reasons solution providers add emerging technologies include, the technology is superior to other products in the market segment; the technology complements a solution providers’ existing practice areas; emerging vendors provide better services opportunities; emerging vendors pay better attention to partners; emerging vendors offer higher margins, customers want alternative product choices; and emerging vendors have better joint marketing programs. In addition, 61 percent of solutions providers surveyed plan to increase the number of emerging technology vendors they partner with in the next 12 months.

"New and innovative vendor partners can help spur profitable new ideas that Solution Providers can use to build revenue and customer loyalty, and the CRN Emerging Tech list is where Solution Providers go to find these vendors," said Robert C. Demarzo, senior vice president and editorial director, Everything Channel editorial.

Vendors who make the CRN Emerging Tech list must have an established solution provider program and formal guidelines for recruiting channel partners. They must demonstrate that its direct sales mix is trending down as evidenced by the company’s revenue history, a channel positive or channel neutral strategy for internal sales compensation, and not be a dominant market share player. Final selection to the Emerging Technology list was made at the discretion of the CRN editorial team after a review of the submitted information and conversations with current or targeted partners.

Romano concludes, "For WatchGuard and our partners, this is an exciting time to be one of the young lions in the high tech jungle who are eating the lunch of the big fat cats."

About CRN
CRN provides solution providers and technology integrators with the crucial information and analysis they need to drive their company’s sales. As an advocate for and voice of the IT channel, solution providers turn to CRN first for immediate information. Celebrating its 25th year, CRN is the most trusted source for channel professionals. CRN can be found on the web at www.channelweb.com.

About Everything Channel (www.everythingchannel.com, www.channelweb.com)
Everything Channel, formerly CMP Channel, is the global leader in technology sales and serves as the one stop shop for the sales channel that drives 75 percent of technology sales throughout the world. IT suppliers and Solution Providers turn to Everything Channel to manage and accelerate their business. Everything Channel provides the answers to strategy and branding, education and workflow tools targeted to those who buy and sell through the Channel. Everything Channel is a subsidiary of United Business Media a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion.

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
Since 1996, WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. has been the advanced technology leader of network security solutions, providing mission-critical security to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. The WatchGuard family of wired and wireless unified threat management appliances and WatchGuard SSL VPN remote access solutions provide extensible network security, 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, Firebox, and LiveSecurity are registered trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.