Positive Networks Named Best in Class SSL VPN; Stratecast Partners Lauds Positive Networks' Depth and Range of Service Features and Market Experience.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Positive Networks receives "Best in Class" accolades on its SSL VPN service in an upcoming research report from Stratecast Partners. The analyst firm points out Positive Networks' application access, ease-of-use, security and pricing options for the small-to-midsize business (SMB) market segment as strengths. Stratecast Partners also indicates a growing trend in SSL VPN adoption rates for SMBs and debunks pricing myths that hardware vendors offer the lowest cost solution compared to managed service providers.

The study reviews six appliance manufacturers - AEP Networks, Cisco Systems (CSCO), Juniper Networks (JNPR), NeoAccel, Nokia (NOK), SonicWALL (SNWL), and Watchguard (WGRD), and three managed service providers - AccessAnywhere, Positive Networks, and Virtela Communications, and concludes that "SSL managed service providers (MSPs) are an attractive option to an appliance purchase," with Positive Networks being rated number one of the MSPs evaluated.

"We're pleased to receive this analyst validation of a truth we have already seen proven over and over from our customers," says Michael Yim, VP of Marketing for Positive Networks. "Positive Networks' solution enables our customers including the NYC Fire Department, The National Weather Service, Children's Mercy Hospital, and net2phone to be competitive in the market and deliver a strong ROI."

Stratecast's report praises Positive Networks' features that SMBs find beneficial. It details the three access methods: client-based (PositivePRO Client); clientless (WebTop); and, remote desktop agent, and notes Positive Networks' site-to-site VPN solution. The report spotlights ease-of-use for remote users and how Positive Networks' service enhances the user experience with features like an end user helpdesk that encompasses VPN support, business applications and application distribution. A security review points out PositivePRO's standard applications (anti-virus monitoring, personal firewall, and spyware protection) and private file area as additional security benefits. Positive Networks also receives regards for its flexible pricing plans.

The study also points out the strong growth of SSL VPNs for the SMB market, and that "SSL VPNs will emerge as a prominent means of remote access across all business segments." This demand is being driven by such factors as market awareness, value appreciation, and affordability.

Stratecast notes four areas where a managed service has a greater appeal to SMBs compared to an appliance purchase:

1. Pay only for services used - In a managed service, the client only pays for registered users and, through an administrative interface, they can change users within minutes. With a hardware solution, it is assumed that the number of remote users is the same as user licenses. If the business does not have an exact match, the price per concurrent user is higher and additional users are denied access.

2. Immediate technical support - With a managed service provider, technical aspects of the service are supported by the provider 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Appliance vendors generally provide first-tier technical support and use a third-party vendor for second-tier or higher support. Appliance vendors provide support based on an additional contract, which increases the overall cost.

3. End-user helpdesk - Customer support extends to end users of a managed service provider. It is usually the company's IT staff that supports end users with a hardware solution.

4. Additional services - Subscriptions to a managed service include features that would normally be purchased separately such as spyware detection, anti-virus protection and a personal firewall.

"It's clear from this study that total cost of ownership is a major decision factor for leading companies to choose a remote access solution," says Yim. "This study is a strong indication that Positive Networks is best in class at delivering overall value and the necessary remote access technology, service, and support that enterprises need to be productive."

About Positive Networks

Positive Networks is the leading provider of hosted VPN and endpoint security services. Its flagship service, PositivePRO, combines both a client-based VPN and a clientless, Web-based SSL VPN into a single remote access service that scales to support thousands of users. With no hardware to install, PositivePRO is simple to implement and can provide complete remote access endpoint security control in 24 hours or less. PositivePRO's easy-to-manage subscription model includes critical end-point security features like anti-virus protection, anti-spyware protection, personal firewall protection, patch management and authentication to secure remote desktops and laptops. For more information, please call toll-free 877-932-8671 or visit www.positivenetworks.com.

About Stratecast Partners

Stratecast Partners, a division of Frost & Sullivan, provides industry insight, advice and guidance for the communications industry. Stratecast delivers actionable insight to its clients, in team-on-team fashion, on the following communications industry fronts: competitive service providers; Tier 1 service providers and solution integrators; new and competitive service types/opportunities; OSS; public network infrastructure convergence; wireless and wireline network professional services; and, enterprise networking trends/opportunities. For more information, call 877-463-7678 or visit www.stratecast.com.