Managed Services And Networking News
SYNNEX Expands Security Strategy
SYNNEX Corp. revealed that it has expanded its security-led strategy for the IT channel by adding several new offerings including managed security solutions, a cybersecurity partner care team, and complementary network and security assessments. The new offerings are available through its CONVERGESolv Secure Networking group, which is committed to designing and deploying end-to-end solutions for IT resellers.
In addition to leveraging SYNNEX’ security line card, resellers can now access Intel Security technology to help customers address the increasingly urgent need to shorten response times when advanced targeted attacks occur and more easily remediate compromised systems. Additionally, partners have access to managed security solutions (Fortinet and WatchGuard Managed Firewall Services and Dell SonicWALL Managed Security Services) that allow them to outsource the management and configuration of devices to SYNNEX experts, while creating recurring revenue streams.
A newly launched cybersecurity partner care team provides an on-site, security-focused strategist and a group of network security engineers that resellers can leverage as their own presales support team. Complementary network and security assessments drive customer awareness and sales by identifying and providing consultation on vulnerabilities.
Sophos Launches New MSP Partner Program
Sophos recently announced MSP Connect, a new partner program that enhances the capabilities of MSPs by simplifying the complexities of managing multiple security solutions across multiple customers. The new program is also designed to help MSPs enhance their operational efficiency and profitability.
A growing number of enterprises are turning to IT solutions providers to protect them against the rapid growth of sophisticated cyberattacks that are capable of targeting any area of vulnerability in the IT estate. This means managing endpoint, server, network, web, and email security products across multiple platforms and increasingly on employees’ mobile devices. The mix of traditional and next-generation technology available from multiple vendors has placed additional administrative burdens and extra costs on MSPs.
The new Sophos MSP Connect program provides access to the company’s portfolio of endpoint and network security products with aggregate pricing. MSPs are now able to manage all Sophos solutions for every customer through a centralized management platform, Sophos Central. Within Sophos Central is Sophos Central-Partner, a dashboard that allows MSPs to distribute licenses, add new customers on demand, cross-sell and upsell services, drive recurring revenue, and have a clear, real-time perspective on all customer activity.
451 Research Finds Cloud Is Not A Commodity
451 Research recently announced its latest Cloud Price Index (CPI) report, which analyzes the global availability of cloud services, unearths regional gaps in service delivery, and identifies saturated markets. The study finds that the cloud services sector is a long way from being a commodity market with price barely impacting market share as customers look for value-added services. In short, price doesn’t matter.
The CPI research demonstrates that cloud providers’ so-called “race to the bottom” in cloud pricing is a red herring. Instead, it is a race to the top, with the supply of higher-value services that is key to long-term, sustainable, and profitable growth. 451 Research finds that virtual machine pricing has dropped 12 percent on average over the past 18 months, while the price of storage, NoSQL, load balancing, bandwidth, and other cloud services have remained stable and continue to provide margins.
Analysts believe that as the price for cloud computing continues to fall toward zero, hyperscale vendors will add higher value cloud services as quickly as they can, “moving up the stack,” recognizing that the margins currently enjoyed on bulk sales of computing resources are not sustainable.
Data in the CPI report show that the lowest-cost service providers have not won greater market share as a result of their pricing strategy. Instead, customers find value in additional services, local hosting, and support and partnering with a familiar brand.
Lenovo, Nutanix Launch New Hyperconverged Solution For SMBs
Converged infrastructure is one of the top five IT priorities for nearly 65 million SMB organizations worldwide according to the SMB Group. While many data center solutions available today can meet the core needs of SMBs, they often can be too complex and expensive for these organizations to deploy. With this in mind, Lenovo recently unveiled a new offering in its converged HX Series portfolio tailored specifically for SMBs. The converged HX 2000 integrates Nutanix Xpress software to deliver a simplified, cost-effective solution that helps lower total cost of ownership and reduces time spent on infrastructure management.
The Nutanix Xpress edition software in the HX 2000 Series appliances replaces the complexity of managing a separate storage area network (SAN) by aggregating compute, storage, and connectivity into a common resource pool within the appliance. Xpress also provides one-click, nondisruptive upgrades that remove the effort and provide customers with complete peace of mind that they always have access to the latest capabilities and most secure environment for their IT infrastructure.
Finally, Lenovo’s HX 2000 Series appliances can be provisioned in just an hour or less and thus help simplify deployment and management. This is a critical consideration for SMB customers such as local and city governments, K-12 school districts, or small, regional hospitals and healthcare facilities that can’t afford downtime and don’t have extensive teams of IT specialists to manage their infrastructure.
CompTIA Unveils New Tool For MSPs
An upcoming CompTIA study on the managed services market reveals that the top two immediate priorities for MSPs are increasing their volume of net new customers (cited by 62 percent of MSPs surveyed) and expanding business with existing customers (58 percent).
Aligning with these findings, a new tool to help MSPs navigate the customer engagement process — from initial prospecting through contract renewal — is available from CompTIA. The Managed Services Client Lifecycle tool allows any MSP to visualize the optimal client engagement for a managed services practice. When combined with other content and programs created by the CompTIA Managed Services Community, MSPs have access to a selection of resources to help them build and grow an effective services business. The resources are linked to the Managed Services Client Lifecycle graphic, which makes it easy to find the most relevant and helpful information available.
LOGICnow Launches MAX Service Desk For Android
Understanding that IT solutions providers are equipped with a variety of mobile devices for their daily carry, LOGICnow recently announced that its MAX Service Desk application, which we just announced last month for iOS devices, has now launched on the Android platform.
MAX Service Desk is a fully hosted, streamlined support portal that enables IT professionals to deliver customer support service and boost productivity. The Service Desk Mobile solution further enhances the functionality of the Service Desk portal by allowing users to stay connected with their customers from their Android and iOS devices when on the go.
Users of the Android platform can now experience field service management capabilities and benefit from some key MAX Service Desk features alongside some newly developed capabilities, straight from their mobile device. The application gives IT Pros the ability to convert a ticket to a site visit while out of the office, gain full visibility into engineer updates, retrieve real-time customer data and records while on the go, and more.
ConnectWise Enhances Its Cloud Service Management Tool
ConnectWise recently added capabilities to CloudConsole, its tool designed to ease the management, monitoring, and billing of cloud services. The new enhancements provide ConnectWise partners with expanded options to purchase Microsoft Office 365 from any authorized vendor, improved reporting with greater data granularity, customized billing and invoicing, and easier access via multiple ConnectWise screens.