* Juniper launches for SSL VPN boxes for low-end market
SSL VPN vendors are coming to the point where they are trying to capture as many customers as possible by having an SSL appliance for each size business.
Juniper, which had been going after mostly high-end customers, is introducing four boxes to fill in its product line, including a low-end device that supports a maximum of 25 simultaneous users. The device enables it to challenge some of the lower-end competitors that thought they could feed there without being bothered by better financed companies like Juniper which, the thinking went, would focus on the larger businesses for customers.
The market is getting past the point where SSL vendors can show up on the doorstep and expect to be the only vendor customers will consider, which happened quite a lot just months ago. Customers would say they heard about a particular vendor, the product met their needs, and they bought. They said they didn’t even consider that there might be competitive products.
All that is changing. Juniper’s small boxes include enterprise-level management that large businesses will be interested in for small or home offices. Small businesses that have cost as a major determining factor will still look for the bargain vendors that offer SSL VPN basics without a lot of frills, which is enough for many users.
The point for potential customers is that for now there is a better range of products to choose from in capacity, capability and price. This may not last long as pressure on less well-funded vendors from their better financed competitors increases. So enjoy the good market conditions while you can.
