SonicWALL signs Gold Partnership agreement with Al Mulla Group in Kuwait

The deal will help SonicWALL develop its distribution channel in the MENA region while expanding its fast-growing portfolio.

Under the terms of the agreement, Al Mulla Group will distribute through Certified Technical Engineers and Sales Professional SonicWALL's portfolio of network security solutions including Network Security Appliances (NSA), SSL VPN solutions, and Email Security offerings - in addition to SonicWALL Aventail SSL VPN products - in Kuwait. The agreement will also leverage SonicWALL's 10,000 channel partners worldwide, and will offer channel partners and resellers the opportunity to benefit from increased product availability and broad support.

Mr. P.C.Bahl, the General Manager, Office Automation & Technologies, Al Mulla Group, said:

"It was an easy choice to become the Gold Partner of SonicWALL products. Al Mulla Group and SonicWALL share common values of providing high-quality products and excellent customer service. We anticipate high demand for SonicWALL products in Kuwait because of its comprehensive and effective approach to delivering innovative and comprehensive security solutions to businesses of all sizes."

Mulla Group is one of the largest industrial houses in Kuwait, with diversified businesses in engineering, commercial and financial services. Since its establishment in 1938, Al Mulla has built a reputation for delivering its promises and identifying the general and specific technology needs of its customers.

SonicWALL acquired Aventail Corporation, a privately held provider of market-leading SSL VPN Secure Remote Access solutions, in 2007. This acquisition provided SonicWALL customers with a complete portfolio of SSL VPN solutions ranging from entry to enterprise levels, providing easily managed, Secure Remote Access appliances for all-size businesses.

In the last few years, revenue from IT Security solutions has been progressively increasing worldwide with a growing popularity of SSL VPN amongst network administrators for secure remote accessibility and flexibility. According to RNCOS' market research report in 2005, the annual worldwide manufacturing sales of SSL VPN surpassed Dhs735m ($200m), and it estimated to attain the size of Dhs1.3bn ($350m) by 2009.

Shahnawaz Sheikh, SonicWall's Regional Sales Manager of Middle East and Africa (MEA), said:

"This year we celebrated our one year anniversary of expansion into the enterprise market after acquiring Secure Remote Access Company, Aventail. Our partnership with Al Mulla Group not only reflects our continued focus on enhancing customer value by providing our channel partners with a wider choice of products, it also contributes to our objective of extending our geographical coverage. I am sure that this relationship will continue to prosper for years to come."

SonicWALL has reported superior performance in the second quarter (ending June 30, 2008) with revenue of Dhs202m ($55.8m) - representing a 19% growth over the second quarter of 2007. It expects the third quarter 2008 revenue stream to be in the range of Dhs194m ($53m) to Dhs205m ($56m). The company also expects revenue totals for the full year of 2008 to be in the range of Dhs808m - Dha844m ($220m - $230m).