Security vendor Trend Micro has teamed up with pay-as-you-go software provider NewLease to distribute a range of network antivirus and Internet content security software on a monthly subscription basis.

The appointment will provide small and medium-sized businesses with access to first-class antivirus and content security software on a monthly subscription basis.

NewLease distributes software as a service on a monthly subscription basis through a network of service providers and resellers.

Trend Micro managing director Australia and New Zealand, Chris Poulos, said: “The success of the software-as-a-service model has already been proven here in Australia, with more and more SMBs gravitating towards the ‘pay as you go’ IT management system. Trend Micro’s partnership with NewLease is an important step forward for us in being able to reach the broader SMB community that desires best practise service and support and a payment plan to suit. We have never before been a part of a pay-as-you-go software service and look forward to breaking new ground with NewLease.”

NewLease chief executive Mike Clarke said NewLease was thrilled to have Trend Micro on-board: “Trend Micro is an innovator, both in product development and go-to-market strategy, and we are delighted to partner with them. Together, NewLease and Trend Micro will ensure small and medium Australian businesses can have the same level of protection as their enterprise counterparts and reap the rewards of a managed IT offering without breaking the budget.”

“NewLease will work with Trend Micro to build offerings that keep networks free of viruses, worms, spyware and spam – by-the-month,” Mr Clarke said.