Analyst writes Check Point CEO
30.11.2006
One of the most read articles on Network World's Web site this week is an open letter to Check Point's founder Gil Shwed written by analyst Richard Stiennon.
The letter suggests ways the company can refocus to sell more security gear, and some of the advice has nothing to do with technology. For instance, he recommends that Check Point relocate its headquarters from Israel to Silicon Valley so its leaders will be better plugged in to developing technologies.
One notable recommendation is that Check Point sell its software on its own hardware. It already does this for low-end and consumer gear, but not for its top-of-the-line, flagship VPN-1/Firewall-1. Doing so would simplify purchases and installation for customers. Rather than buying software and separately buying hardware to install it on, customers could buy a device with software installed and rely on a single entity to maintain the whole package.
It's possible to buy this type of device today, but not from Check Point. Nokia and others license Check Point software, port it to their own security appliances and sell a bundle to customers. With Check Point selling its own devices, it would wring out a middleman and therefore be able to charge less, Stiennon asserts.
This hardware platform should be modular so Check Point can add security features as effective defenses against new threats emerge, he says.
The result for Check Point would be gathering up more customers, which Check Point investors would no doubt like. It would be great if Shwed takes Stiennon's advice and it has the results Stiennon predicts: lower prices.
The open letter can be found at this url:
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2006/102606stiennon.html
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