Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter Entrusts Network Security to AVG Anti-Virus

CLAREMONT, NC, USA (SANEPR.com) June 20, 2008 -- Paul Slager is Network Administrator for the Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter, a nonprofit healthcare organization focusing on hospice and palliative care located in Glenview, Illinois. Slager has managed the organization’s 500 workstations and 30-plus Microsoft servers since early 2006.

As a healthcare organization, patient record confidentiality is essential to remain in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, so network security is a top priority for Slager.

“A key factor for me is that there is no tradeoff of usability for security,” Slager said. “I have to make sure that our users have access to all their applications and devices in a secure manner without the security getting in the way of their productivity. And of course I also have to make sure we keep out viruses and maintain perimeter security.”

When Slager arrived on the scene, the hospice care center was using Symantec as its primary security solution. However, he quickly became frustrated with the load the system was placing on users’ workstations and the relatively weak management functions.

“The main factors in our decision to seek an alternative solution were the shortcomings of the management functions,” Slager said. “We also couldn’t help noticing that Symantec was taking up a lot of processing power on each user’s computer.”

So, high on Slager’s wishlist were ease of management, small footprint on client systems, and of course a good track record in keeping sensitive files secure and malware out.

AVG Anti-Virus: The Right Solution
“I’d heard from several sources that AVG Anti-Virus software was a solution worth looking at, and so it was one of the first alternative solutions I tested to see if it would fit our needs,” Slager said. “I focused heavily on the administrative console because that was one of the most important factors for me. With more than 500 workstations, it is imperative that I have a way to make sure each computer is secure without having to physically visit each one on campus.”

After ensuring that AVG’s management functionality and protection would meet the organization’s requirements, the low price point was what sealed the deal. MidWest’s IT director, responsible for sourcing and purchasing, quickly found Walling Data Systems and their non-profit discount program.

Walling Data Systems is the country’s longest-standing distributor of AVG Technologies solutions and the company’s highest-volume distributor in North America. Walling specializes in the education and nonprofit sectors, and is the only distributor to offer all customers free, unlimited, U.S.-based support as part of every sale.

Slager said that, as with any new solution, there were a few teething problems, so he called the support team at Walling Data for advice.

“There were a few aspects of the software that I wasn’t quite sure how to configure,” Slager remembered. “So I called Walling’s helpdesk team, who remotely connected to our server so we could easily discuss what to do. It was simple and easy, and I was able to get the system up and running in no time.”

What Slager loves most about AVG is that it basically manages itself. With the benefit of this “hands free” system administration, he has more time to spend on productive IT pursuits, rather than problem-solving.

“AVG has been great, and very easy to manage,” Slager said. “I would definitely recommend it, and Walling Data to others”

For more information about how to purchase AVG Anti-Virus for nonprofits, please visit http://www.avg-antivirus.net.


About Walling Data Systems
Founded in 1994, in North Carolina, Walling Data Systems is a value-added software distributor offering innovative high-value solutions to everyday computer security problems for corporate, education, and home technology users. Walling Data was named an Authorized AVG Distributor in 2004 and is the only source for unlimited toll free phone, remote support, education discounts, and more for their AVG customers in the United States, one reason why thousands of education customers choose Walling as their supplier of choice for AVG products.

About AVG
Founded in 1991 in the Czech Republic and with offices in the US and Europe, AVG is a leading international developer of Internet threat protection solutions for consumers and SMBs. AVG is one of the fastest growing companies in the industry with more than 70 million active users around the world. The company employs some of the world’s leading experts in Internet security, specifically in the areas of threat research, analysis and detection. AVG’s award-winning products are distributed globally through resellers and over the Internet as well as via third parties through Software Developer’s Kits (SDK).

Media Contacts:
Ashlie Lanning 919-557-7890 alanning@wallingdatasystems.com
Luke Walling 828-459-5422 x225 luke@wallingdatasystems.com