Managed Services, Backup and Recovery, and Networking News From June 2014
Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in Managed Services, Backup and Recovery, and Networking news, new releases are announced by Kaseya, GFI MAX, LabTech Software, and Autotask. Ingram Micro announces new cloud solutions, Datto launches a virtual appliance, Intronis unveils an all-in-one cloud backup and data recovery solution, and Axcient offers enhanced granular exchange recovery. CompTIA launches a new mobile-optimized website, Motorola delivers an access point for hotels and resorts, Tech Data introduces its website for SMB solutions providers, and the Smart VAR Healthcare Summit will present the secrets of successful healthcare VARs on Aug. 21 in Chicago.
Kaseya Releases New Version
Kaseya has released version 7.0, featuring the new Remote Control module in Kaseya Virtual System Administrator (VSA) 7.0, built to provide remote management connections in a few seconds, even over high-latency networks. The new release also includes integrated network monitoring that enables the management of entire IT environments from a single screen, and management and administration of Microsoft SharePoint Online, building on Kaseya’s 365 Command cloud application management solution. The new version’s Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) includes enhanced mobile device application support, and it integrates with the latest version of Intuit QuickBooks.
GFI MAX Presents New Versions Of RemoteManagement, Backup
GFI MAX recently released a new version of GFI MAX RemoteManagement, which includes enhanced Web protection features based on GFI Software’s WebMonitor solution. By deploying this new feature set alongside managed antivirus and patch management capabilities, managed services providers (MSPs) have the ability to offer clients complete endpoint security. Web protection features also assist in setting Web-browsing policies and optimizing bandwidth usage, and the features complement the protection offered by the GFI MAX MailProtection service against email-borne threats. The release also extends its mobile device management (MDM) service offering to include support for Windows Phone 8.1, new MDM reporting, and Android Wi-Fi provisioning capabilities.
GFI MAX also announced the release of the latest version of GFI MAX Backup, its hybrid cloud backup and recovery service for MSPs. The service offering now includes enhanced client discovery and remote deployment features and virtual machine restore capabilities.
LabTech Software Unveils New Release
LabTech Software unveiled LabTech 2013.1, the newest version of its remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform. Enhancements include LabTech Virtualization Manager — agentless VMware infrastructure monitoring and management — and a new vPro Management Workspace — an Intel vPro integrated plug-in that enables onboarding of devices, device discovery, and integration of core vPro management functions. The new version also includes ConnectWise plug-in 6.1 that offers added work-type overrides and contact syncing.
Autotask’s New UI Features “Human-Centered” Design
Autotask introduced the new design of its user interface (UI), which reflects Autotask’s study of user behaviors and the way people work, specifically with its platform. New UI features include restructured navigation, including a quick-find tool, a dashboard index navigation tool, and “My List,” which shows tasks assigned to a particular user. The new UI’s dashboard has a modular design — each data widget can be configured as text, charts, or grids that can be built by the user or created from templates in the library. The UI also includes a ticket work list that enables multiple tickets to be open at once without pop-up windows and gives administrators the capability to send a ticket to an employee’s work list.
New Cloud Solutions Now Available From Ingram Micro Cloud
Ingram Micro Cloud, a global division of Ingram Micro, announced the general availability of new Ingram Micro-branded, and Ingram Micro-hosted cloud solutions. The three new cloud solutions are managed by Ingram Micro’s wholly owned subsidiary SoftCom:
Ingram Micro Hosted Exchange is based on Microsoft Exchange 2013 and offers communication and collaboration tools that provide access to email, calendars, contacts, and tasks — regardless of location or device.
- Ingram Micro Virtual Private Servers (VPS), powered by Parallels virtualization technology, provide an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solution that allows customers to manage their own server-based solutions.
- Ingram Micro Web Hosting, designed to simplify sales and service, provides resources and services for channel partners to host fully managed and secure business websites for their customers.
- Ingram Micro Cloud also launched a new Cloud Marketplace powered by Parallels software. Cisco is the first of many third-party vendors and services to be added to the new marketplace throughout 2014.
Datto Launches Virtual Appliance
Datto has introduced Virtual SIRIS. Designed to leverage VMware’s industry-leading hypervisor, the solution enables Datto partners to provide their clients with a business continuity solution that operates on the same platform as their existing virtual infrastructure. Initially, the solution is compatible with VMware ESXi versions 5.1 and 5.5. The solution features instant virtual-failover for both physical and virtual systems without nested virtualization, as well as provision for off-site redundancy through a secure hybrid cloud architecture.
Intronis Introduces All-In-One Cloud Backup And Data Recovery Solution
Intronis announced the Intronis ECHOplatform, which delivers a comprehensive cloud backup and data recovery solution, supporting a variety of in-demand services, plug-ins, and extensions such as server and laptop imaging, VMware and Hyper-V, SQL and Exchange backup — and soon, bare metal restore (BMR) and file sync and share. The new all-in-one platform features an open API, integration with today’s leading professional service automation (PSA) and remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools and technologies, and a management portal that provides a single-pane-of-glass view of all account activity.
In addition, the company announced the Intronis U2 Plan that includes unlimited cloud and unlimited local storage. With a fixed monthly cost for access to the entire platform, channel partners are freed from the limitations of the industry’s legacy cost-per-gigabyte pricing and associated storage limits.
The company also announced new partner enablement resources, including the Intronis Partner Guide, which gives channel partners easy access to business basics such as onboarding instructions, marketing collateral, sales best practices, and technical information. The Intronis Partner Guide also links to a full library of downloadable documents housed in the new Intronis Essentials site.
Axcient Announces Enhanced Granular Exchange Recovery
Axcient, a cloud-based Recovery-as-a-Service (RaaS) provider, offers an enhanced granular recovery offering for Microsoft Exchange. The solution supports Exchange servers and clusters and enables rapid search and recovery of email, mailboxes, calendars, contacts, and other granular elements of Exchange. In addition, this new enhancement reduces the amount of space consumed by Exchange replication by as much as 50 percent over Axcient’s current solution. The solution provides availability to Exchange servers, database recovery, and granular object-level recovery, all from one deduplicated copy in the cloud.
CompTIA Launches Mobile-Optimized Website
CompTIA recently unveiled its new, mobile-optimized website, CompTIA.org. The new website is built to serve the association’s open-access model: Registered users and premier members can use the site as a means to connect with peers and leading IT experts within the IT association’s communities. A great majority of CompTIA’s content, Insight & Tools, is now in front of the firewall, including industry research, white papers, and training guides. Search is a much more integral part of the new CompTIA website; leveraging a Google Search Appliance, users can now execute faster searches to find the content that is most relevant to them.
Motorola Solutions Delivers Access Point For Hotels And Resorts
Motorola Solutions offers an enterprise-class, dual radio 802.11ac AP designed specifically for hotels and resorts. The wall plate AP is designed to blend with room décor and is installed by snapping it over existing cabling and using Motorola’s WiNG 5 zero-touch automatic configuration. It includes five internal antennas, four Ethernet ports, and Bluetooth SMART technology, as well as Motorola SmartRF to help ensure connection continuity and quality. It has flexible deployment options: centralized management via a wireless service platform for large-scale and multifacility deployments, as an autonomous environment supporting up to 25 APs with no controller appliance or as a stand-alone hotspot.
Motorola also is introducing two additional dual radio 802.11ac access points, the AP 7522 and the AP 7532. They can be deployed in common areas and customer-facing public spaces with optional antennas to help ensure maximum range. They also can serve as dedicated sensors for indoor locationing.
Tech Data Introduces Website For SMB Solutions Providers
Tech Data Corporation (TD) presented SMB.techdata.com, its new website designed for SMB solutions providers. The TDSMB website includes a customizable dashboard design that brings key information to the forefront. The website gives SMB solutions providers access to new features such as live chat, order monitoring, account status, hot sellers, and featured promotions. This includes a design that allows users to access the site from any mobile device, with resolution adjusting to fit various screens.
The website also includes TDLoyalty, the company’s first loyalty program designed exclusively for SMB resellers. The point-based loyalty program is grouped into three levels — Advantage, Choice, and Preferred — based on participants’ total Web sales for the year. Through each level, participants are eligible for additional services, discounts, and incentives.
In addition to the website launch, the TDSMB sales division has aligned its business model with solutions providers’ needs through technology segmentation and market niches:
- TDElite, a team equipped to service all high-end technology needs
- TDFuel, a sales force focused on systems and peripherals
- TDEnable, a sales team aligned by technology and buying groups
- TDLaunch, a new account onboarding and acquisition sales and support team
TDSMB also offers enablement benefits for SMB solutions providers, including onboarding and education, sales support, and financial services.
Smart VAR Healthcare Summit Offers Secrets Of Healthcare VAR Success
The Smart VAR Healthcare Summit, powered by ScanSource and Business Solutions, will be held Aug. 21 in Chicago. The summit is an education and networking event featuring inside advice from healthcare CIOs, the latest trends in the healthcare vertical, and secrets of successful healthcare VARs. The agenda includes time for networking, as well as a vendor expo where you can see new product demos and learn about new channel services. Technologies featured at the Smart VAR Healthcare Summit include mobile computing, bar coding, networking, asset tracking, wireless infrastructure, telehealth, and warehouse technologies.