Protectors see profit in going international

Oct 2 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

ATECHNOLOGY firm is looking to break the £1m turnover mark after increasing the popularity of its anti-spam programme and planning to expand into foreign markets.

Gateshead company Rozmic is in talks with groups in France to increase sales of its internet protection technology and is also developing new archive software to help firms keep track of their records.

The firm, which employs seven people at Gateshead International Business Centre, differs from most software companies in that it bases its products around cloud computing.

This involves providing products thorough internet servers rather than the user investing in a separate server to host the software.

Last year the company forged a partnership with web shop Amazon, enhanced through a deal with Scottish firm Flexiscale, which it expects to attract even more customers.

The firm started out in 2005 and focused primarily on instant messaging and VoIP software before making its mark in the new world of cloud computing.

It now provides its products through about 500 resellers in the UK, a number it expects to increase as part of its expansion plans.

Communications director Helen Kerrigan said: “Because the server is hosted by the server, the costs are reduced for the end user, which is extremely important for firms that are looking to cost cut as a result of the economic downturn.

“As cloud computing is open ended, it is virtually limitless what we can add to our portfolio, which in turn helps the end user benefit from regular updates.”

“We are now at the point where we are big enough to target overseas markets as a way of ensuring that we add to our turnover year on year.”