The lab aims to allow for convenient testing, evaluation and training of McAfee hardware and software solutions from anywhere in the world, without having to purchase or deploy a product.

Key benefits of The Global Support Lab are said to include:

* Demonstrations and evaluations on demand - Online and accessible worldwide, the Global Support Lab aims to enable resellers to easily demonstrate all of McAfee's latest products to customers from any location within a safe lab environment - without having to maintain an inventory of demonstration hardware and software or to ship it to customer sites. It is easy to access and there is no charge for using the On-Demand services, the company says.

* Custom configurations - The Global Support Lab can also replicate customer environments for pre-deployment testing or unique evaluation requirements, McAfee adds.

* Increased revenue opportunities - The ability to quickly and easily switch between product demonstrations is intended to allow partners to show customers the benefits of other products in which they may be interested. Additionally, customer registration and use information is sent to the partner to inform them of a customer's interest in a product, aiming to provide sales and up-sell opportunities.

* McAfee training - Partners can quickly provide hands-on access to the latest McAfee products for new hires and customers, while video tutorials provide simple how-to guides on the capabilities and correct installation of those products, the company says.

"The Global Support Lab allows free access to all our security solutions," says Chris van Niekerk, regional director at McAfee SA. "The lab provides the opportunity to gain instant hands-on experience with our products in an easy to understand environment."