Managed Services, Backup And Recovery, And Networking News From November 2015
By The Business Solutions Network
Each month, Business Solutions reports news on business in the channel. This month in managed services, backup and recovery, and networking news, Ingram Micro’s VTN becomes Trust X Alliance; Panasonic announces a rugged, detachable laptop; and Kayesa VSA 9.2 is now available. In addition, new Tigerpaw One is offered via the SaaS model; Acronis adds file sync and share and partners with Ingram Micro; ConnectWise announces CloudConsole; Zebra Unveils a rugged vehicle mount computer; and Unitech releases a new tablet.
Ingram Micro’s VTN Becomes Trust X Alliance
Ingram Micro recently announced its new Trust X Alliance, a community for top-performing solutions providers. Previously recognized as the VentureTech Network (VTN), the Trust X Alliance helps solutions providers grow their businesses through exclusive offers, services, and relationships with key vendor and reseller contacts. Trust X Alliance members can also present a stronger value proposition to their end-user prospects through the Trust X Alliance website.
Starting this year, the Trust X Alliance will focus on building vertical market expertise within the community and welcome select members of the Ingram Micro Public Sector Elite and Healthcare Elite. These highly specialized communities will enable a stronger vertical markets focus within Trust X Alliance and build on the founding principles and best practices of the community.
“Healthcare and Public Sector are two markets regulated by strict compliance and industry mandates that require the use of targeted technology solutions and services that must be deployed by technology and business experts,” says Kirk Robinson, senior VP, Ingram Micro. “Our Healthcare and Public Sector communities represent the industry’s best education, government, and healthcare-focused IT professionals. We’re excited to have them join ranks with our Trust X Alliance members and accelerate the adoption of technology worldwide.”
Panasonic Announces Rugged Detachable Laptop
Panasonic recently announced the Toughbook 20, which combines the features of a laptop and tablet and is designed for environments such as field services, utilities, oil and gas, transportation and logistics, healthcare, insurance, public safety, and defense.
The Toughbook 20 offers six usage modes. Besides being used as a traditional laptop, a tablet can be detached and used by itself or flipped 180 degrees to show content in presentation mode. The convertible mode allows users to see the display with the keyboard attached. Using the built-in handle, the device can operate in carry mode or hanging on a wall, while vehicle mode provides full functionality and operation of the device when on the move.
Available February 2016, the unit is designed to meet MIL-STD-461F for electromagnetic interference and MIL-STD-810G for drop, shock, vibration, explosive atmosphere, temperature, humidity, rain and sand, as well as waterproof and dustproof ingress (IP65). The device features a magnesium alloy case, fanless design, locking port covers, raised bezel, solid state drive (SSD) heater, and a built-in handle for ease of use, which also serves as a kickstand for desktop stability and enables use while hung.
Kaseya VSA 9.2 Now Available
Kaseya recently announced the general availability of Kaseya VSA 9.2, which includes support for Windows 10 and includes new features that simplify and improve accuracy of network discovery, namely the ability to manage 25 percent more devices. Kaseya also doubled the number of metrics tracked through its real-time concurrent monitoring and added more than 300 new device fingerprints in VSA 9.2.
All-Inclusive “Tigerpaw One” Offered Via SaaS Model
Tigerpaw Software unveiled “Tigerpaw One,” which packages the professional services automation’s (PSA’s) modules into one product for delivery via the SaaS model. Tigerpaw One delivers all of the software’s modules for a monthly fee. Delivering the software via the SaaS model eliminates the capital expense for users and allows them to have the PSA as an operational expenditure — and not have to pick and choose among components.
All users will have access to features and capabilities including Tigerpaw Mobile, Email Connector, payment processing capabilities, the password keeper, skinable customer portals, employee portals that Web-enable service, a co-managed portal for managed services, the Microsoft Exchange Integrator, and Outlook Journal Connector. A new feature associated with Tigerpaw One is visibility among users’ departments — sales reps can see service records, service can see account information — with administrator permission. James Foxall, the company’s CEO, says Tigerpaw will continue to innovate and add value to the software, but those advances will be included in Tigerpaw One for the monthly fee. Foxall commented that this will differentiate Tigerpaw among its competitors, which deliver modules à la carte.
Acronis Adds File Sync And Share, Partners With Ingram Micro
Acronis recently announced the availability of Acronis Access Advanced 7.2, the latest version of its mobile file access, sync, and share solution for enterprises. The new Acronis Access Advanced enhances security and privacy functionality and is now integrated with Microsoft Intune Mobile Application Management(MAM). Acronis Access Advanced also includes built-in support for popular content management and storage systems such as Alfresco, EMC Documentum, and other CMIS-compliant content sources, and has a redesigned user interface for Apple iOS devices.
According to Kerry Dolan, analyst for Enterprise Strategy Group, “More employees are using consumer cloud services such as Dropbox for file sync and share, leaving vast amounts of data exposed and at risk. End users and the IT department have no idea if their data is protected, and when employees leave the company, this data goes with them.”
Additionally, Acronis and Ingram Micro recently announced an expanded relationship whereby the distributor will bring Acronis to nine countries, making Ingram Micro Acronis’ premier distributor. Acronis’ line of solutions now appears in Ingram’s Cloud Marketplace, an ecosystem of buyers, sellers, and solutions that enables channel partners to transform and grow their businesses by offering instant, online access to a wide array of cloud solutions from a single online portal.
ConnectWise Announces CloudConsole
ConnectWise recently unveiled its new cloud service management, monitoring, and billing tool, ConnectWise CloudConsole. The solution enables solutions providers to remain proactive in managing their systems when moving to the cloud. ConnectWise developed CloudConsole because it saw a growing concern among technology solutions providers about the management and billing of services as they moved from on-premises systems to the cloud.
“While on-premises systems are controlled, managed, and maintained by solutions providers, the cloud is not, and losing control of that can be concerning,” says Craig Fulton, GM of ConnectWise Business Suite. “CloudConsole gives our partners a competitive advantage by enabling them to monitor and manage their cloud services with the same control as on-premises systems.” The new product will be available early this year.
Zebra Unveils Rugged Vehicle Mount Computer
Zebra Technologies recently introduced its new Windows 10-ready VC80. The ultra-rugged unit can be installed on forklifts, clamp trucks, yard mules, and cranes, and is built to operate in the toughest indoor and outdoor environments including warehouses, distribution centers, airports, seaports, and railway yards.
The VC80 features the full Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard 7 or Windows 7 Professional operating system and can be used as a stationary computer off a conveyor system, a dock door, or as a mobile workstation kiosk. Optimized for freezer or cold storage environments with its unique system of smart temperature sensors that control heaters for protection against internal and external condensation, the VC80 also includes a heated touch screen to help improve mobile worker productivity and reduce downtime. The unit also has a field-replaceable touch screen and keypad, as well as multiple mounting options.
Finally, Zebra OneCare Essential Services can reduce unforeseen repair expenses for the VC80 by providing device diagnostics and coverage for normal wear and tear, as well as accidental damage to internal and external components.
Unitech Releases New Tablet
Unitech has released a new inventory and asset-tracking tablet with an integrated bar code scanner. Unlike some tablet solutions, the TB120 has a 37-key programmable keyboard that creates extra space to interact with a 7-inch touch screen covered with Gorilla Glass III. The unit runs on Android and can withstand repeated falls of up to 4 feet. Users will be able to read both standard linear bar codes and the newest 2D codes, with a choice of 1D or 2D scanner. A no-scanner option is also available, as well as a TB120 with integrated mag-stripe reader for loyalty cards or ID verification.
Unitech believes this product is unique in the marketplace. According to Brian Silence, sales manager for Unitech, “As far as our market research goes, we’re one of the few tablets out there with an integrated bar code scanner. Additionally, we are absolutely the only rugged tablet with a physical keypad.” To offer both in one device, he says, shows that the TB120 is firmly for enterprise use.
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