The IT channel, it seems, is converging in Orlando the week of Nov. 2. We’ve already offered previews of the HTG Peer Group gathering and ConnectWise Partner Summit. But don’t forget: Symantec will be in town for Symantec Partner Engage… and it’s safe to bet that Symantec could unveil some SaaS surprises for VARs and managed service providers. Here’s why.
Symantec: Two Managed Services, One Company?
Posted May 1st, 2009 by The VAR Guy
Forgive The VAR Guy for being briefly confused. Symantec announced Managed Backup Services earlier this week. But the announcement made zero mention of Symantec Protection Network (SPN), a software as a service (SaaS) platform that offers managed backup and storage. So, what’s the difference between SPN and Managed Backup Services? The VAR Guy found the answer.
Vembu: StoreGrid Online Backup Meets Amazon Cloud
Posted April 21st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I must admit: I can’t keep pace with the number of software companies pushing their applications into Amazon’s cloud. The latest example comes from Vembu Technologies, which has launched their StoreGrid Online Backup virtual appliance for Amazon Web Services. Here is some info from Vembu plus the bigger picture for managed service providers.
Asigra Launches Hybrid Storage Partner Program
Posted April 15th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
What’s the best model for managed storage: On premise solutions or in the cloud/software as a service (SaaS)? Instead of forcing managed service providers and customers to choose one model or the other, many technology companies are offering up both options or hybrid options. The latest example comes from Asigra.
CA Seeks Software as a Service (SaaS) Triple Play
Posted November 16th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
CA Inc. CEO John Swainson (pictured) is evangelizing opportunities in software as a service (SaaS) and managed services. During the company’s CAWorld conference in Las Vegas, CA unveiled three SaaS offerings.
Salesforce.com Enters Web Hosting Business
Posted November 3rd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Competition in the Web hosting market continues to rise. The latest example involves Salesforce.com, which has unveiled a new service — called Force.com Sites — that allows customers to run their Web sites in the Salesforce.com cloud. The move comes only a few days after Microsoft launched its Azure cloud services.
Amazon.com Simple Storage Service: MSPs Are Plugging In
Posted October 28th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
While some managed service providers are wary of Amazon.com, a growing number of MSP software companies see strong potential for the Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), Amazon cloud services and distribution services. Two prime examples:
- Vembu, which makes storage software for MSPs, has announced support for S3.
- Clean Machine Inc. has signed a national (US) distribution Amazon.com.
Here’s a closer look at each deal, and their implications for managed service providers.
MSPs Will Blur the Line Between SaaS and On-Premise IT
Posted October 20th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Jeff Kaplan did it again. In his latest Think IT Services blog entry, Kaplan describes the a hybrid software as a service (SaaS) model that blurs the line between on-premise and cloud-based services. If you’re skeptical of this trend, check out these examples involving managed service providers working with Symantec, Vembu, Amazon.com and Fonality.
Symantec Launches Software as a Service Blog
Posted October 17th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Symantec’s software as a service (SaaS) team has launched a blog that caught my eye. It may be a timely read for some managed service providers. You can find the Symantec Protection Network (SPN) blog at http://blog.spn.com.
Symantec Launches Partner Program for SaaS
Posted October 16th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Talk about timing. Earlier today, I expressed concern that Symantec wasn’t really promoting its SaaS (software as a service) platform during a partner conference here in Washington, D.C. A few hours after my rant, Symantec launched a partner program for the Symantec Protection Network. Here are some of the details.
Can Symantec Bolster Its SaaS Strategy?
Posted October 16th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
During the opening session at Symantec Partner Engage in Washington, D.C., Chief Operating Officer Enrique Salem described several opportunities awaiting partners in the IT market.
Symantec Protection Network Gains Remote Access Tools
Posted September 17th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
I spent much of 2007 hyping the Symantec Protection Network (SPN), a software as a service (SaaS) platform for storage management (now) and security management (down the road). But even Symantec concedes SPN hit some early bumps.
IBackup Recruits 2,000 Online Storage Resellers
Posted August 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
At what point does the online backup market become saturated? I ask myself that question at least once a week. The reason: I get flooded with emails, voicemails and press releases about managed service providers and resellers signing up for online backup services.
Vembu Attracts 900 Managed Storage Providers
Posted July 24th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
More than 70 percent of successful managed service providers offer some form of managed storage, according to our MSPmentor 100 survey. Despite that lofty figure, the online storage market continues to enjoy strong growth.
VARs Warming Up to Symantec Protection Network?
Posted July 18th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Symantec Protection Network (SPN), a software as a service (SaaS) platform launched in May 2008, is off to a solid start with managed service providers and VARs, according to Symantec Senior Director Chris Schin.
Update: Symantec’s SaaS Strategy
Posted June 16th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Apparently, Symantec’s SaaS (software as a service) platform, known as Symantec Protection Network (SPN), hasn’t exactly set the world on fire since its launch earlier this year. In fact, Symantec has been unusually quiet about SPN’s progress in recent months.
Symantec Acquires Online Storage Company, Swapdrive
Posted June 11th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Symantec has made another move in the managed storage market, acquiring Swapdrive. The deal pushes Symantec deeper into online storage, where the company already offers the Symantec Protection Network (SPN).
Nirvanix Counters Amazon.com Simple Storage Service
Posted April 23rd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Nirvanix, a company that claims to be the “premier Cloud Storage platform provider,” hopes to rain all over Amazon.com’s Simple Storage Service (S3). Like many managed storage providers, Nirvanix is trying to simultaneously counter Amazon.com while also cashing in on publicity around the S3 network.
Managed Endpoint Security Services: Careful With the Hype
Posted March 13th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Add Datacastle to the list of endpoint security specialists targeting managed service providers. The Seattle-based company has announced an endpoint data protection platform that MSPs can offer to their customers.
IBM, Seagate Push Deeper Into Managed Services
Posted December 7th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
Byte and Switch, a web site that covers storage and networking, offers interesting perspective on recent acquisitions at IBM and Seagate. The IBM deal (acquiring Arsenal Digital) and Seagate’s move (buying MetaLINCS) both have strong managed services angles, according to the site. Surprised? You shouldn’t be.
Ingram, Trend Micro Partner on Managed Services
Posted October 8th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
When it comes to managed services, Trend Micro certainly has a sense for timing. The security company has launched a “pay as you go” managed service with Ingram Micro. The offering comes as Trend rival Symantec prepares to launch its own software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, know as the Symatec Protection Network. Let the showdown begin.
Symantec Cooperates, Competes With MSP Partners
Posted October 3rd, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
October is shaping up to be a busy month for Symantec’s various online software efforts. While the company prepares to launch Symantec Protection Network (a software as a service platform for partners), Symantec is also promoting its Managed Security Services (MSS) to customers. Here’s what Symantec’s strategy means to managed service providers.
Five Disruptive Technologies for MSPs
Posted September 25th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
I lifted the headline for this blog entry from a presentation David Strom delivered this morning at the MSP Alliance conference in San Jose. So, what were the five disruptive technologies? Three of them were obvious, but David caught my ear with his analysis of the other two — and some timely perspective on Microsoft Small Business Server.
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