Technology Reseller - v18 2019

01732 759725 18 NEWS : VENDORS Barracuda is expanding its range of security offerings to capitalise on growing demand for its products from Managed Service Providers. In the last two years, Barracuda has grown its international MSP partner base by 280, with the number of MSPs using multiple Barracuda solutions up 34% in the last 12 months. Year-on-year recurring MSP security revenue is 120% higher than a year ago. Building on this momentum, Barracuda recently acquired Avast’s remote monitoring and management platform Managed Workplace, which provides MSP partners with the tools they need to run their business and protect customers, including site security assessments, Office 365 account management and integrated third- party antivirus. Brian Babineau, SVP and General Manager, Barracuda MSP, said: “Our mission is to empower our MSP partners to create services to sell, deliver profitable offerings and demonstrate value to their customers. With Managed Workplace we can offer MSP partners a security-centric RMM solution that incorporates security tasks into a service provider’s daily routine. It complements the security solutions we have introduced via our MSP model, such as email protection, cloud-generation firewalls and security awareness training.” The addition of Managed Workplace to Barracuda’s MSP security portfolio follows last year’s launch of Managed PhishLine, a service that helps MSPs provide phishing simulation and security awareness training to customers, and growing take-up of Barracuda educational initiatives, like Ready, Set, Managed!, an interactive educational and networking program for VARs and MSPs, which has seen a 136% year-on-year increase in MSP interest. On May 23, Barracuda’s EMEA team will host the second annual MSP Day. https://barracudamsp.com/product- details/managed-workplace-rmm/ Barracuda expands MSP offering Hello Poly Plantronics has rebranded itself as Poly, following last year’s merger with Polycom. The name Poly, meaning ‘many’, reflects the company’s aim to be the solution of choice within and between unified communications platforms, while the propeller-like logo suggests dynamism and forward momentum at the same time as honouring Plantronics’ heritage in aviation and Polycom’s three-legged conference phones. Poly will have four main priorities: to reduce noise and distractions in offices through audio technology and intuitive huddle room solutions; to empower people to use the collaboration solution of their choice; to design mobile-first solutions that enable workers to be productive wherever they are; and to develop cloud services that enable IT pros and users to make the most of their devices. President and CEO Joe Burton said: “With advancements in AI, machine learning and new technologies, we see a future where Poly makes the connection, then quietly steps out of the way to become the one thing you don’t notice in the meeting.” www.poly.com Kenna Security to recruit more UK partners Predictive cyber security specialist Kenna Security has enhanced its partner program as it seeks to recruit more partners in the UK and EMEA. The programme includes new marketing, deal registration, technical support and training tools to help resellers drive adoption of Kenna Security’s risk-based vulnerability management platform and develop their own consultancy, technical, professional and training services. Features include a SaaS subscription model for consistent, predictable annual revenue and a purpose- built Managed Security Service Provider offering with options for white labelled services and volume pricing. StarLeaf opens offices in NYC and Chicago StarLeaf, a provider of meeting room solutions and cloud-based video conferencing services, has strengthened its presence in the United States with the opening of offices in New York City and Chicago. Headquartered in the UK, StarLeaf has a global network of local datacentres with 15 Points of Presence delivering secure and reliable connectivity to customers in the UK, Europe and US. StarLeaf Systems Engineer Michael Landry said: “Our integrated cloud architectural design ensures that customers’ data in the US can be isolated to nominated locations, thereby retaining and storing data within the jurisdiction, which is a big advantage for our US customers.” www.starleaf.com Better security for Power BI users Alex Whittles, founder of Shropshire- based big data company Purple Frog Systems, is targeting Microsoft Power BI users with a new software service, Power BI Sentinel, that provides secure document back-up, change tracking, documentation and data lineage analysis. There are more than five million people worldwide using Microsoft’s Power BI tool to analyse data and create dashboards to help them better understand their business, from sole traders and SMEs to community enterprises and large enterprises. Whittles said: “There are currently a number of limitations to using Power BI on its own. Our new software is designed to bridge some of those gaps by providing automated documentation of reports and giving data controllers the capabilities to view, in real time, how and what data is being used across all parts of the business. This will save businesses time and money and has huge implications when it comes to improving data security and simplifying and accelerating disaster recovery.” Power BI Sentinel is a Software as a Service application hosted with Microsoft Azure that can be managed and accessed through a web browser. It is also mobile compatible. There are three levels of service: a free community licence, a professional licence or an enterprise licence. www.powerbisentinel.com