Managed Services, Backup and Recovery, and Networking News From December 2013
Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in Managed Services, Backup and Recovery, and Networking news, Unitrends acquires PHD Virtual, Datto introduces a new partner marketing tool, MegaPath launches a data breach risk calculator, N-able announces N-Central 9.3, Kaseya presents BYOD Suite, and SYNNEX enhances its rebate management application. Also The ASCII Group can take advantage of a Passportal password management system, and CompTIA adds three sales playbooks to its educational curriculum.
Unitrends Acquires PHD Virtual
Unitrends, a provider of all-in-one backup, archiving, instant recovery, and disaster recovery solutions, has signed an agreement to acquire PHD Virtual Technologies, a virtual backup and disaster recovery assurance solutions provider. Both companies have primary investments from Insight Venture Partners, a global private equity and venture capital firm. The acquisition will give Unitrends the ability to leverage PHD Virtual’s technology platform and data protection products, especially to meet the demands of SMBs. Combined, Unitrends and PHD Virtual serve more than 10,000 customers worldwide and have more than 8,000 global channel partner representatives.
Datto Introduces New Partner Marketing Tool
Datto, a global provider of hybrid cloud-based backup, disaster recovery, and intelligent business continuity solutions, has launched a customizable marketing playbook. The materials are available through Datto’s Partner Portal to help managed services providers (MSPs) and VARs convey the value of a hybrid cloud-based solution and the ease of transitioning from one platform to another.
MegaPath Launches Data Breach Risk Calculator
MegaPath has launched its Data Breach Risk Calculator to help organizations — especially SMBs — better understand the probability of a data breach. Based on responses to a 10-question survey, the calculator provides participants with benchmark information that can be used to assess potential data breach exposure for their companies. The calculator provides the estimated cost of a data breach, as well as a detailed report that explains directions for interpreting the results and tips for reducing risks.
The Data Breach Risk Calculator is powered by The Ponemon Institute, an independent research and education firm. The calculator is based on a Ponemon Institute study, “Data Security in Small Healthcare Organizations,” commissioned by MegaPath, which includes data from interviews with more than 700 healthcare organizations with 250 or fewer employees. The study found that almost all of the small healthcare organizations surveyed had a data breach within the 12 months leading up to the survey and that businesses often underestimate the financial and reputational consequences of a data breach.
N-Central 9.3 Now Available
N-able has announced the general availability of N-central 9.3 service automation platform. New features and functionality include Security Manager antivirus (AV) integrated with AV Defender, which protects Windows devices from current security threats. N-central 9.3 also includes Maintenance Windows, enhanced reboot options that feature scheduling of Security Manager installations, updates, and upgrades on a per-device, per-rule basis and scheduling when reboots can occur on a per-product basis. The platform also now offers an integrated RSS feed and the N-able MSP Runbook integrated into N-central online help.
Passportal Offers Password Management To The ASCII Group Members
The ASCII Group announced that Passportal, an online password management system designed specifically for managed services providers (MSPs), will provide a free user license to group members. Passportal is a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) product featuring four tiers of protection and encryption for passwords. MSPs that maintain the passwords and credentials required to support and manage their clients’ IT systems will benefit from this product. Information on Passportal is available online at The ASCII Group Partner Portal.
Kaseya Presents BYOD Management, Security Solution
The Kaseya BYOD Suite is now available. It is an enterprise-class platform that extends corporate data sources to mobile users’ smartphones and tablets. With this solution, organizations can configure and manage security architecture for employee-provided mobile devices. Kaseya BYOD Suite offers a containerized approach — installable apps that create a corporate “container” on the employee’s device — that separates corporate access and protects the user’s privacy. If an employee leaves the company or a device is compromised, administrators can wipe the enterprise data on that device without impacting the employee’s personal information. The solution also provides AES 256 encryption on top of SSL encryption, and the solution is HIPAA-compliant as well as meeting requirements of other privacy standards including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2. Kaseya purchased the technology for the solution last year in its acquisition of Rover Apps.
SYNNEX Enhances Rebate Management Application
SYNNEX has released an enhanced version of its PROMOCentral application. The application is a single location for marketing incentives, SYNNEX Exclusive Rebates, and manufacturer rebates. The application now has more than 500 manufacturers and more than 1,000 rebate programs. Enhanced functionality allows resellers to search for promotions by manufacturer, product category, SKU, or other relevant information or search a manufacturer or SYNNEX SKU to see available programs. Resellers can also subscribe to the programs relevant to their businesses and manage promotions with MyPROMO. A trial of the application is available to resellers who are not SYNNEX customers.
CompTIA Adds 3 Sales Playbooks To Training Curriculum
CompTIA added new sales playbooks to its Winter 2014 Channel Training Catalog. The playbooks combine workshop sessions with templates and training materials designed to help IT sales teams with prospecting activities and sales campaigns for emerging technology solutions. The three new playbooks are these:
- “Cloud-Based Telephony,” which addresses how cloud is making VoIP services both more accessible to the end user and more viable as an offering for more solutions providers.
- “Mobile Device Management,” which discusses challenges with managing a diverse inventory of mobile devices, as more organizations embrace strategies such as BYOD (bring your own device) and expand the ability of mobile workers to access data outside the office.
- “Advanced Communications,” which includes topics such as video conferencing, cloud delivered applications, and unified communication and collaboration.
Playbooks on cloud-based storage and cloud-based backup and recovery are also available, as well as a portfolio of live workshops, printed and downloadable training guides, business credentials, and other training options for channel companies.