We first reported on Symantec Endpoint Management Suite 1.0 last week, when I found that Symantec had prematurely posted product details on its website. But today marks the suite’s official launch, which means I can finally give even more details that Symantec provided last week in an embargoed interview.

Endpoint Management Suite combines Symantec Endpoint Protection, BackupExec System Recovery and the Altiris Client Management Suite. Kevin Murray, Symantec’s senior director of product management, told me that “bringing these things together makes a lot of sense,” because “a secure endpoint is a well-managed endpoint.” (Symantec has quoted analysts as saying that proper system configuration and patch management can solve all but 5% of vulnerabilities.)

Murray also stressed the up-sell opportunities that come with Endpoint Management Suite. In the most likely scenario, he said, an existing Symantec Antivirus customer is looking to upgrade to Symantec Endpoint Protection. Instead of selling only SEP — which is free for qualified existing customers, anyway — partners can offer the entire Endpoint Management Suite at a discounted price.

The suite also gives Symantec partners the chance to sell something from the Altiris product line and vice versa, Murray said. Symantec had kept Altiris as a separate business unit after its acquisition last year but recently brought Altiris directly into the fold. Endpoint Management Suite is the first integration of Symantec products into what was known as the Altiris platform, Murray said.

Symantec Endpoint Management Suite is available now at a price of $200 per managed endpoint. For more information, check out coverage from our sister site, SearchSecurity.com.