Managed Services, Backup And Recovery, And Networking News From December 2014
Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in managed services, backup and recovery, and networking news, Datto acquires Backupify, Pivot3 launches a hyper-converged disaster recovery appliance, Axcient releases the latest version of Business Recovery Cloud, and a new platform enables partners to integrate with the OpenDNS Network. In addition, ScanSource Catalyst provides a unified communication solution with a pay-per-month model, AffinityLive launches Version 2.0.0 of its iOS mobile app, and MAXfocus integrates MailProtection and Archive Services into its remote management platform. In other news, ConnectWise announces a new version, N-able releases Backup Manager UDP, F-Secure introduces its new partner program, Seagate offers a new NAS HDD, and CompTIA expands its CertMaster Course Offerings.
Datto Acquires Backupify To Create Total Data Protection Platform
Datto has acquired Backupify, a provider of cloud-to-cloud backup and recovery solutions for SaaS applications. As more critical data continues to move to the cloud, Datto and Backupify will offer comprehensive options for backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity for companies of all sizes. The new platform will bring new services to customers through the channel by offering instant recovery and protection of data in the event of disaster or IT failure and also broaden Datto’s customer service model. Datto and Backupify partners will continue to be serviced by their sales, account management, and support teams, and partners will gain exposure to a wider prospect base.
Pivot3 Launches Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Appliance
Pivot3, a developer of globally hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solutions, announced the availability of its hyper-converged disaster recovery appliance (HCDRA). It supports backup and recovery of virtualized applications and data and combines storage and compute resources within the same appliance. HCDRAs leverage Pivot3’s patented Scalar Erasure Coding technology, delivering up to 94 percent of total installed capacity effectively, is available for storage in a 16-node array. Storage efficiency increases with each added appliance while maintaining fault tolerance capable of withstanding simultaneous failure of an entire appliance and two hard drives.
Axcient New Release Supports Drag-And-Drop Recovery, Extends Instant Failover
Axcient, a provider of cloud-based Recovery-as-a-Service (RaaS), released the latest version of Axcient Business Recovery Cloud. Users can export physical and virtual server image replications as a VMDK (virtual machine disk) file. This physical-to-virtual (P2V) process is managed through the Axcient Web interface. This release supports drag-and-drop recovery from the local appliance via integration with Windows Explorer, allowing users to move large numbers of files and entire folders to a target device. The new interface provides the ability to restore more than 50 gigabytes in minutes. This release also extends instant failover support; users can recover systems from any point-in-time snapshot, either locally or in the cloud. Data replication to the Axcient appliance is now three times faster with the latest version of Axcient’s replication algorithm.
New Platform Enables Partners To Integrate With OpenDNS Network
OpenDNS, a provider of cloud-delivered security, launched a new security platform and APIs (application programming interfaces) that enable security vendors to integrate with the OpenDNS network. This alleviates the need for security professionals to develop their own custom integrations. New partners Check Point Software Technologies and ZeroFOX join existing partners that have integrated with the platform to combine OpenDNS’ global enforcement capabilities and predictive intelligence with their own advanced security capabilities. The Check Point Anti-Bot Software Blade detects bot-infected machines and prevents bot damages by blocking bot command and control (C&C) communications, and ZeroFOX Enterprise is a cloud-based security platform that enables organizations to detect and prevent social media-based cyberthreats including targeted malware, phishing, social engineering, impersonations, and other fraudulent or malicious activity.
ScanSource Catalyst Provides UC Cloud Solution With Pay-Per-Month Model
ScanSource Catalyst, a sales unit of ScanSource and value-added distributor of voice, video, and data convergence solutions, announced a unified communications (UC) cloud offering powered by the Avaya IP Office Platform. ViaWest, a colocation, managed services, and cloud provider, is hosting the solution. It enables resellers to deliver the same services as if the IP Office Platform were deployed on premises but in a pay-per-user-per-month model. Value-adds from ScanSource Catalyst include presales support, proprietary quoting tools, and dedicated sales support. Through a partnership with Avaya Financial Services, ScanSource Catalyst will also provide leasing options for on-premises hardware, including Avaya phones, routers, and switches, allowing for the entire communication solution to be billed monthly.
AffinityLive Launches Version 2.0.0 Of iOS Mobile App
AffinityLive announces the second version of its iOS app to provide users with mobile access to their AffinityLive accounts. The app expands functionality from the previous version to enable users to review, complete, and record tasks across clients, sales, projects, service issues, and retainers. Features include updated navigation, task timers that sync with AffinityLive’s Web app, and support for iOS8 and iPhone 6 and 6+.
MAXfocus Integrates MailProtection And Archive Services Into Remote Management Platform
LogicNow announced MAXfocus has integrated its MAX MailProtection and MAX MailArchive services into its MAX RemoteManagement platform. This integration creates a global remote management platform that allows managed services providers (MSPs) to provide comprehensive support for their customers’ IT infrastructure — including email security and archive — from a single dashboard. The integration also provides automatic alerting in the event of a customer’s inbound or outbound delivery issues. The MAX MailProtection service offers spam and virus protection and built-in email continuity, and MAX MailArchive, available with MAX MailProtection or on its own, provides customers with a geographically distributed, cloud-based email archive.
ConnectWise Announces New Version
ConnectWise released a new version of its business management platform. Features include an enhanced user interface, with a new top navigation bar and updated left menu, and updated reporting dashboards. The release of ConnectWise API V2.0 also facilitates integration with other complementary technologies, and it includes enhanced and new APIs (application programming interfaces).
N-able By SolarWinds Releases Backup Manager UDP
N-able by SolarWinds announces Backup Manager - Arcserve UDP. This backup manager unified data protection (UDP) gives MSPs a single backup solution to address their customers’ needs across virtual and physical environments. It is powered by the Arcserve UDP engine and allows MSPs to manage all customer backups from a single, unified console. It minimizes storage of any duplicate data by ensuring that the common files between multiple customer sites are stored only once. In addition, the solution provides quick restores, including image-based snapshots. Features include agentless backup for VMware and Hyper-V; migration of disk images to tape, with granular restore from disk or tape; self-testing of backups as they are completed; and remote capabilities when used in conjunction with N-able’s N-central RMM (remote monitoring and management).
F-Secure Introduces New Partner Program
F-Secure introduced its new Global Partner Program to enable partners to sell security from the cloud. The program provides access to the full scope of F-Secure’s real-time cloud security solutions. Features of the program include higher margins, 24/7 support, online marketing tools, and an improved partner portal with ordering capabilities and renewal notification. The partner program offers three levels: an entry level open to all partners, including a start-up package; a gold level that includes additional business-supporting and marketing tools; and a platinum level that offers partners a full array of benefits and support.
Seagate Offers New NAS HDD
Seagate Technology now offers the Enterprise NAS HDD — a high capacity drive for businesses using network attached storage (NAS) systems. It is available in 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 TB capacities and can deliver up to 96 TBs in one 16-bay rack mount or tower form factor. The drive features rotational vibration (RV) sensor technology, enabling it to sustain performance streaming and random read/write workloads, adjusting based on usage. The drive also includes error recovery control and Seagate RAID Rebuild technology for reduced downtime.
CompTIA Expands CertMaster Course Offerings
CompTIA CertMaster online courses are currently available for the CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ exams. CompTIA CertMaster is now also available for the new IT Fundamentals exam for those with jobs that require a foundational level understanding of IT, covering five categories: software, hardware, security, networking, and basic IT literacy. Complete exam objectives are available on the CompTIA certification website. Additional courses will be added to CertMaster in the coming months.