3. SOPHOS ANTI-VIRUS PRODUCT
Sophos Anti-Virus recently set up its Asia Pacific office in Singapore. It then went into high gear appointing resellers in the region. Systems Design signed up as a reseller as Sophos provided some unique advantages over the other anti-virus software companies. The key points are that Sophos is one of the top five anti-virus companies; the anti-virus software is available on multiple platforms like Windows and Linux; employees of the company who have signed up for Sophos are legally allowed to use the anti-virus software in the home. The biggest benefit, however, is that customer who buy Sophos from Systems Design will be provided free anti-virus services including recovery for the period of the coverage. There will not be anymore time and material charges should any virus strikes the PCs or servers.
Apart from the familiar names like McAfee and Norton anti-virus, Computer Associates, Trend Micro and Sophos form the top five anti-virus companies in the world. Sophos is definitely a reputable company, otherwise it would not be in that league.
Sophos sells only to corporates. Because the company prides itself that their technical support line will be answered before the 4th ring. If there is an outbreak of virus, the chances are that both home and corporate users will be calling in and the eternal waiting will be the flavour of the day. Although Sophos only sells to corporate customers, employees from the corporate customers are allowed to use the software in the home. It is legal as Sophos understands that some employees do office work in the home.
Another salient feature of Sophos is that it can support multiple platforms including Windows, Linux and even Macintosh OS. This is extremely useful in a company that have different types of workstations or servers. If a PC has a virus and a user ftp a file to a Unix server, the Unix server may not be affected by the virus. But it can be a carrier of the virus. Should another PC ftp the same file from the Unix server to the local PC, that local PC can be affected. If the Unix server has the Sophos anti-virus, that virus can be contained.
Most anti-virus software nowadays have an auto update feature through the Internet. That is, a server or PC can be configured to dial out to the website of the anti-virus company at a certain time every day. It can then download the latest virus identifiers to disinfect new viruses detected. Individual client PCs can then suck the virus identifiers through the network every morning when the PCs log in. Sometimes, other anti-virus companies require the customer to download not only the identifiers but also the anti-virus engine. This can be very time consuming. Sophos does not encourage the customer to download the anti-virus engine. The company sends a CD-ROM monthly to the customer directly for easy loading. This may be expensive for Sophos but the convenience of the customer is not compromised.
The biggest benefit for customers who buy Sophos anti-virus from Systems Design is the free after service provided for anti-virus service including recovery during the period of coverage. Many companies charge for anti-virus services should there be a virus attack on time and material basis. The Sophos customers from Systems Design will get this service for free.