Firebox X Stands Guard

or a tiny and affordable security appliance, the Firebox X from WatchGuard promises a lot. Devices in the product line boast intrusion detection and prevention, as well as antispamming capabilities and a stateful packet inspection firewall. What’s more, with an upgradable design and a host of expandable port options, the device scales with businesses over time.

These features haven’t been lost on small businesses, which comprise more than half of the Firebox X customer base, according to Mark Stevens, the Seattle-based company’s chief strategy officer. And the number seems to grow every quarter.

“From the customer’s perspective, it’s ideal to have a box that can grow as they do,” Stevens said. “From the reseller perspective, it works because they can go back to customers and build upon the solution they’ve already sold.”

As Stevens explained, Firebox X can be upgraded three times from the Firebox X500 model to the Firebox X2500 model, all with the simple application of a key. Solution providers resell keys just as they would the hardware itself.

Because of this strategy, some resellers can’t say enough about Firebox X. Pete Busam, vice president and COO of Decisive Business Systems in Pennsauken, N.J., said the device brings him “big bucks” because one sale is potentially three upsells down the road.

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Pete Adams, CIO at DCS Netlink in Rice Lake, Wisc., agreed, adding that the product works well for SOHO customers that want better-than-average security but lack the resources to buy enterprise-caliber appliances.

“Many of our customers who have had firewalls in place are used to putting in the device and not being sure if they’re protected or not,” said Adams, who noted that Firebox X products are his best sellers. “WatchGuard enables them to manage their organization better than many of them ever dreamed.”

Depending on the VAR, pricing for the Firebox X500 starts at $1,599. Upgrades begin at an additional $700.