By Editor
ELITE VAD is a fast emerging VAD focusing on info security solutions with HQ in Egypt and multiple office spanning MEA territories. George Ezzat, CEO of Elite VAD speaks with the Integrator Magazine about the company’s focus areas and solutions
Discuss the company’s focus for the region and in terms of domains? How has the growth been?EliteVAD is a Value Added IT Distributor presenting best breed edge Network Information Security and Network Infrastructure Management vendors within MEA. We are now part of GTS Group, a USA Holding Company.
EliteVAD focuses into the InfoSec space offering Security Solutions and Security Services including training to the channel arm of its resellers as well as the end-users, also we
The company is headquartered in Dubai, UAE with additional offices in Cairo, Amman, Nairobi and Kuwait. Led by experienced entrepreneurs who understand IT market needs, EliteVAD successfully noticed a 200% growth in terms of revenue between 2013 and 2014. We were able in 2015 to improve our Vendors’ market reach by doubling the number of vendors’ and covering different layers of security in addition to penetration expansion on Geo-market across MEA.
Your portfolio includes network security software as well as performance management solutions. Discuss your focus around this range?
We are partnering with several leading vendors. We are distributors for FireEye malicious threat protection solutions, VSS smart Tapping solutions, Algosec Network Security Policy Management, Next Generation DPI & Bandwidth Management Solutions from Procera Intelligent and more. We provide the new patented Fraud Prevention KFP solution protecting online banking activities and online payment services from Kaspersky. We partner with iboss, a leading provider of innovative APT Defense, Web Security and Mobile Security Solutions as well as IP-Guard for its powerful IT management software that enables organizations to mitigate internal threats by providing effective means to monitor and investigate user activities, and prevent data leaks. Among other vendors we are associated with include Expert Team (ET), a global leader in providing “LAWFUL INTERCEPTION (LI)” and “CONTENT FORENSICS”, Fluke Networks that offers solutions that span network deployment, network performance management and troubleshooting, as well as security and performance monitoring as well as Arbor DDoS protection solutions.
Are there plans to extend into other new solution segments?
Our Vision is to become SuperVAD for innovative cybersecurity and infrastructure networking technology vendors. Thus we are looking at continuous expansion and sustainable growth both in terms of more solution segments as well as increased geographical footprint to achieve optimum returns to investors and employees.
Is there good awareness and interest among the CIOs of the region to invest in network performance monitoring & management solutions?
There is a growing interest among the CIOs of the region to invest in network performance monitoring and management solutions. We have therefore partnered with VSS Monitoring and Fluke for network performance monitoring as well as enhancement of current KPIs as well as decrease costs of upgrades and the best use of resources.
Do you see need for specific types of solutions against the changing landscape of changes and expectations?
In a tough sophisticated and competitive global landscape and against the background of the rise of targeted hacking campaigns, fully integrated security solutions are the need of the hour. These need to come with specific behavior based technology, combined with proactive forensics Services and Analysis tools for helping to build long-term strategic strengths in the ICT infrastructure for its sustenance against the changing landscape of threats.
How many active channel partners do you partner with? Any plans to recruit new partners in specific markets/verticals?
Here in EliteVAD we believe our scalability and success in any market can happen only with strong partners who can take ownership in positioning, selling, and supporting EliteVAD to their customers that’s why we aim to increase our channel arm by always recruiting qualified reseller partners. EliteVAD operates currently across MEA through a channel network of more than 50 resellers comprising of system integrators and corporate partners.
What is your pre-sales strength in terms of resources and what are the value propositions you offer partners along with pre-sales?
Combining specialist value-adding technical, pre-sales and sales team inside each local territory, our vendors and reseller partners rely upon EliteVAD to boost business opportunities in InfoSec and Net. Infrastructure Management and help achieve new revenues from the changing enterprise technology landscape. In addition to the facilities and support we offer to our reseller partners in the logistics and offered trainings to insure proper enablement of the partner.
The ‘Proof of Value’ program is a high key value we propose to our channel beside Professional Services and After-Sale support so we integrate and complement their delivery capacity
Which are your strong markets across MENA and where all do you have your offices?
EliteVAD is headquartered in Dubai, UAE; with additional offices in Cairo, Egypt; Amman, Jordan; and Nairobi, Kenya; Kuwait, Kuwait. We will be soon have offices in Saudi and Nigeria. We are proud having remarkable businesses in most countries across the GCC, Middle-East and Africa.