Managed Services, Backup And Recovery, And Networking News From November 2014
Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in managed services, backup and recovery, and networking news, StrandVision Digital Signage introduces health/wellness animated templates, Unitrends announces Release 8, and snom adds an expansion module. Also, Tech Data offers Cisco Network Security Solutions and enhances its suite of marketing services. In other news, Ingram Micro adds VMware to the Promark GSA Schedule and announces its Public Sector Rewards Club. In addition, RackWare opens its channel partner program, LogicNow launches ControlNow for corporate IT departments, Xerox partners with Hyland and Datawatch, and ConnectWise integrates with Continuum RMM and GreatAmerica Invoicing.
StrandVision Digital Signage Introduces Health/Wellness Animated Templates
StrandVision Digital Signage introduced a set of preproduced, animated, corporate communication templates on health/wellness topics. The templates can be added to StrandVision customer digital media player page mixes and can be used for public service announcements over customer-directed digital signage networks. This campaign library includes 50 animated content pages on topics including exercise, hygiene, healthy eating, mental wellness, and prevention. The animated templates can be displayed in full-screen or in-frame formats. Administrators can control text speed and other functions, such as scheduling and expiration. This is the company’s second set of animated templates, following the release of an environmental campaign library.
Unitrends Releases New Data Protection Software Version
Unitrends Release 8 upgrades the company’s data protection software powering its enterprise-class physical and virtual backup recovery appliances. The release features new support for the Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) and enhanced integration with EMC and NetApp network-attached storage (NAS) devices. It also expands support for virtual environments, featuring data protection and disaster recovery capabilities for the Microsoft Hyper-V hypervisor. New features include Windows Instant Recovery for Hyper-V and Hyper-V Instant Recovery for host operating system (HOS) backups. In addition, improvements in SQL data deduplication can reach up to 30 percent better retention than before, and SQL databases can now be replicated using a fraction of the bandwidth previously consumed with replication performance improvements of up to 30 to 40 percent.
snom Technology Presents Expansion Module
snom Technology has extended the capability of its 7xx series IP phones with the D7 expansion module. The module works with the snom 7xx series and features 18 multicolored LED keys that can be programmed for functions including call waiting, forwarding, park and blocking, music on hold, speed dial, auto redial on busy, conferencing, multicast paging, intercom, and extension monitoring. It is powered by the host phone via USB and does not require any extra cabling, IP addresses, or administrative management. Users can daisy chain three D7 modules together for a total of 54 functions.
Tech Data Offers Cisco Network Security Solutions, Enhances Suite Of Marketing Services
Tech Data Corporation has announced it will offer Cisco’s portfolio of intelligent cybersecurity solutions to Tech Data’s channel of solutions providers. This includes Cisco’s latest network security appliances and services from its Sourcefire acquisition and enforcement and remediation options through the Cisco Solutions Group in the company’s Advanced Infrastructure Solutions (AIS) Division. Tech Data is incorporating the Cisco solutions into its Momentum partner enablement and education program.
The company also announced enhancements to TDEngage, its suite of marketing solutions and services. The new platform enables end users to purchase products directly through solutions providers’ websites containing syndicated online content from IT vendors. Enhancements to the program include a white-labeled e-commerce store, a product catalog that syncs with Tech Data’s comprehensive catalog, and a direct link to Tech Data logistics for end-user fulfillment.
Ingram Micro Adds VMware To Promark GSA Schedule, Announces Public Sector Rewards Club
Ingram Micro added VMware to Promark Technology’s General Services Administration (GSA) schedule. Promark is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ingram Micro. In addition, Ingram Micro introduced its Public Sector Rewards Club, developed in conjunction with VMware. The new Ingram Micro partner enablement program works with VMware channel partners serving the IT needs of organizations within the federal, state, local, and education markets. Features of the Rewards Club include business intelligence to help identify opportunities from within a channel partner’s install base, on-site sales and technical solution workshops, and free competency training vouchers toward specializations and certifications.
RackWare Opens Channel Partner Program
Software provider RackWare, which integrates data center and cloud resources into an intelligently managed computing environment, announced the opening of its channel partner program to services providers and VARs. The expanded program continues momentum from RackWare’s established key services provider and VAR partnerships, including with IBM SoftLayer, CenturyLink, QTS, Peer 1, OnRamp, Pea Soup, Entisys, and MBS Tech Services. RackWare’s latest version, RMM 3.0, enables customers to extend existing IT architecture into the cloud.
LogicNow Launches ControlNow For Corporate IT Departments
LogicNow has launched ControlNow, an integrated, “born-in-the-cloud” IT infrastructure management and security platform. Following the creation of LogicNow as part of GFI Software’s corporate restructure, ControlNow is LogicNow’s new brand for the former GFI Cloud and MailEssentials online products. Also within the ControlNow portfolio is ControlEmail, the company’s hosted email security and archiving service. The company also announced a partner program for ControlNow that will include existing GFI Cloud and MailEssentials Online resellers and all MAXfocus customers.
ConnectWise Integrates With Continuum RMM, GreatAmerica Invoicing
ConnectWise now integrates with the Continuum remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform and with GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation’s invoicing capabilities. Continuum service tickets — generated manually or automatically — are fully integrated with ConnectWise service boards, helping to leverage the Continuum Network Operations Center (NOC). As new devices are discovered by Continuum, information is automatically updated in ConnectWise, facilitating billing. Key metrics on managed services are also provided, such as server uptime, patches installed, and spyware detection. The integration with GreatAmerica allows IT solutions providers to place miscellaneous charges that occur with managed services contracts on the invoice GreatAmerica sends monthly with equipment charges and service. Additionally, the integration uses the ConnectWise ticketing system to report customer payment delinquencies back to solutions providers.
Xerox Partners With Hyland And Datawatch
Xerox announced two strategic partnerships — with Hyland and Datawatch — to strengthen its managed print services offering. Hyland, the creator of OnBase, a workflow and content management solution, automates key business processes, such as customer onboarding, loan origination, account opening, claims administration, and patient registration. Datawatch automates the retail supply chain processes between distribution centers and stores. Using existing data feeds, Datawatch creates a totally paperless solution and features graphical display of analytics.