TBC Corporation Chooses Proofpoint Protection Server for Anti-Spam Messaging Protection

TBC Corporation Chooses Proofpoint Protection Server for Anti-Spam Messaging
Protection
Proofpoint's Proprietary MLX(TM) Technology Unblocks Email Inboxes at Top Tire
Company 


CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 15  /PRNewswire/ -- Proofpoint, Inc., the leader in
large enterprise anti-spam solutions, today announced that TBC Corporation , one
of the nation's largest marketers of automotive replacement tires with over $1
billion in revenues, has chosen Proofpoint Protection Server for comprehensive
messaging protection.  Since implementing Proofpoint's solution, TBC has
effectively blocked over 98% of spam, which previously constituted 60% of its
email volume.

Previously, TBC had implemented a variety of anti-spam tools, which were either
too cumbersome for end-users and administrators or could not keep up with the
increasing volume and sophistication of spam.  In response to employee
complaints about spam, TBC began searching for a more effective,
enterprise-grade anti-spam solution.  After a rigorous evaluation process, TBC
found the Proofpoint Protection Server to be the only anti-spam platform to
deliver an instant and sustained effectiveness in blocking spam for the entire
organization.

"Proofpoint was the only anti-spam vendor we found that combined such a high
rate of effectiveness with a negligible number of false positives," said Mark
Beal, senior director of IT for TBC Corporation.  "Its unique approach of
correlating tens of thousands of different spam indicators makes it the only
product capable of differentiating legitimate e-mail from spam with a striking
degree of confidence and accuracy."

Beal continued, "For example, one employee that previously received over 1,500
spam messages a month now receives less than six per month.  When you look
across our nationwide employee base, we really are reclaiming a dramatic amount
of productivity. Our users are happy and management is seeing the impact."

Last week, Forrester Research singled out Proofpoint from other anti-spam
solution providers by awarding it the prestigious TechnoVista Award.  The award
recognizes Proofpoint for its innovation, its business potential and the
strength of its product demonstration at Forrester's recent Emerging Technology
Showcase.

"Proofpoint understands the legal and productivity challenges spam poses to
large organizations," said Gary Steele, president and CEO of Proofpoint, Inc. 
"Our goal with TBC, as with all our customers, is to dramatically reduce, if not
eliminate, the very real threat posed by spam.  It's gratifying to see our
customers take back control of their networks and IT infrastructure and realize
the kinds of cost savings and productivity gains that TBC has achieved."

MLX - The Industry's Most Advanced Machine Learning Technology

Proofpoint's enterprise messaging protection is based on its MLX technology,
which utilizes advanced Machine Learning techniques for categorizing and
classifying content.  Core to MLX is its Machine Learning classification
algorithms, which include Logistic Regression and Support Vector Machines. These
techniques allow Proofpoint's MLX technology to detect higher levels of spam at
minimal false positives with a higher degree of confidence than any other
technology. MLX maintains its high effectiveness over time with secure, weekly
updates, ensuring that organizations stay ahead of spammers as their techniques
evolve. MLX's general messaging classification capability is the cornerstone of
Proofpoint's messaging compliance architecture. Through administrator-defined
policies, organizations will be able to create customized compliance processes
that learn appropriate behavior through observing normal organizational business
information flows, enforcing messaging compliance regardless of the subject
matter or regulations.

About Proofpoint, Inc.

Proofpoint provides business software for large enterprises to stop spam,
protect against email viruses and to ensure compliance with corporate policies
and regulations through their messaging infrastructure. The company's flagship
product, Proofpoint Protection Server(TM) is a software breakthrough that
employs Proofpoint's MLX technology, an advanced Machine Learning system
developed at Proofpoint's Anti-spam Laboratory to govern the flow of digital
correspondence. Proofpoint was founded by technology visionary and former CTO of
Netscape Communications, Eric Hahn. The Cupertino, California-based company is
funded by Benchmark Capital, Inventures Group, Mohr, Davidow Ventures, RRE
Ventures and Stanford University. For more information, please visit
http://www.proofpoint.com/.

About TBC Corporation

TBC Corporation is one of the nation's largest marketers of automotive
replacement tires through a multi-channel strategy. The Company's retail
operations include company-operated retail centers under the "Tire Kingdom",
"Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers" and "National Tire & Battery" brands and
franchised retail tire stores under the "Big O Tires" brand. TBC markets on a
wholesale basis to regional tire chains and distributors serving independent
tire dealers throughout the United States and in Canada and Mexico. The
Company's proprietary brands of tires have a longstanding reputation for
quality, safety and value.

NOTE:  Proofpoint, Inc., Proofpoint Protection Server(TM), MLX(TM), MLX
Engine(TM) and Dynamic Update Service(TM) are registered trademarks of
Proofpoint, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders.


DATASOURCE: Proofpoint, Inc.



CONTACT:  Melissa King of Outcast Communications, [phone], or

, for Proofpoint



Web site:  http://www.proofpoint.com/

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