AT&T, Comcast, Cisco, Microsoft, 8x8 Unveil New Products, Services
Read about the latest offerings you can sell.
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The networking giant released all kinds of products and services at the end of last month.
For example, Cisco announced offerings that help businesses both bring employees back to the office and keep them at home. The company launched Cisco Remote Access and added smart cameras to the Cisco Meraki platform.
Also, the vendor said it expanded its secure access service edge (SASE) architecture. Cisco gave customers the opportunity to buy every core product associated with SASE and later turn their purchases.
Read about the trusted workplace offerings and SASE announcement.
The UCaaS company is building cryptographic technologies into its platform thanks to its latest purchase.
RingCentral bought an end-to-end encryption provider named Kindite. Not revealing the purchase price, RingCentral says this will help it cut down on security and privacy risks in the cloud.
Edward Gately has the scoop.
IBM announced new opportunities around its Cloud Satellite.
The vendor announced its Cloud Satellite in 2020 but finally launched the satellite into general orbit. As a result, the hybrid-cloud-as-a-service platform has gone from beta to general status. More than 65 partners are working to build applications and features for the offering.
Check out the story Kelly Teal wrote about IBM.
The carrier unveiled multiple new offerings, both involving technology partnerships.
First, AT&T announced a new secure access service edge (SASE) solution that it launched in conjunction with Fortinet.
Then AT&T bolstered its 5G play by adding fixed wireless routers from Sierra Wireless and Cradlepoint.
The IT powerhouse more closely integrated its Dynamics 365 and Teams applications.
According to CEO Satya Nadella, Teams will function as the “organizing layer” for Microsoft’s technologies. As a result, Dynamics 365 will include features for Teams communication and collaboration.
Jeffrey Schwartz covered the update.
The cable provider added a virtual network function for the secure access service edge (SASE).
Comcast Business already offers a software-defined networking platform called ActiveCore that delivers a variety of VNFs. But now the platform includes a virtual version of Palo Alto Networks’ Prisma Access security offering. The update meets customer and partner demand for advanced security features
Read about the expanded SDN platform.
The UCaaS provider launched a new integration with Microsoft Teams.
8×8 Contact Center for Microsoft Teams lets users do PSTN calls on the Teams app. Moreover, they can receive contact center calls in Teams and leverage 8×8 call recording for compliance requirements.
Learn about the offering.
The carrier targeted distributed workforces with new offerings.
T-Mobile launched a Home Office Internet offering, which gives employees a 4G/5G connection that’s separate from that of the rest of their household. T-Mobile also announced a new collaboration solution that it developed in tandem with Dialpad.
Check out the updates from the “uncarrier.”
The computer provider launched a predictive SaaS tool.
Device Intelligene Plus helps businesses manage large fleets of PCs. Lenovo developed it as an enhanced version of device health management tool.
Read Lenovo’s announcement.
The cloud distributor now offers LogMeIn‘s solutions.
LogMeIn’s LastPass password management and single sign-on solution caters to MSPs. LastPass gives partners and customers visibility and control over access points.
Read their announcement.
The SD-WAN provider unveiled a less expensive and simplified version of its main offering.
The “lean IT” offering caters to customers who need lightweight configuration with minimal manual installation. In addition, businesses can deploy SASE solutions than before.
Read my story on Versa.
The data protection provider upgraded its disaster recovery offering.
The Infrascale Backup and Disaster Recovery solution works partially on-premises and particually in the cloud. Infrascale sells the product to MSPs and VARs, who in turn serve SMB and midmarket customers.
Read Infrascale’s announcement.
Menlo Security upgraded its secure web gateway (SWG) solution.
The update gave the SWG web isolation for mobile devices. Menlo traditionally provides isolation capabilities on desktop, but the new setting ensures that users open all mobile links with read-only protections.
“Mobile devices and browsers are an enticing target for cyber attackers looking to exploit zero days and conduct socially-engineered phishing attacks, yet in many organizations, mobile security is treated like a second-class citizen,” said Menlo Security’s vice president of product management.
Check out the announcement.
The cloud communications provider integrated its calling capabilities with Microsoft Teams.
CoreDial took advantage of Teams direct routing to allow customers to use its CoreNexa UCaaS capabilities on the Teams platform. Those capabilities include three-way calling and call transfering. CoreDial’s CEO said partners are getting more flexibility and opportunities to upsell with current customers.
Read the announcement.
The managed detection and response (MDR) and security operation center (SOC) provider launched a secure asset management solution.
The solution creates a network map that makes interconnected devices on the network visible. As a result, MSPs can stay on top of the proliferating number of IoT devices.
Read the press release.
The cloud communications provider more closely integrated with its conferencing partners.
Fuze users can access Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams, GoogleMeet, GoToMeeting and other meeting providers on a one-click basis from the Fuze platform. As a result, customers can experience less friction and complexity in switching between platforms.
Read Fuze’s press release.
Fusion Connect gathered SD-WAN unified threat management and remote work access capabilities onto the same device.
The update prevents customers from deplying multiple devices, instead giving them a centralized device for optimizing security and performance. It also includes Fusion’s Remote Access VPN solution.
See our story about Fusion.
The cloud communications provider updated its workstream collaboration platform.
Avaya Spaces now features an enhanced calling capability. For example, customers can manage multiple concurrent calls. IN addition, AI enhancements can create visual overlays for speakers.
Check out Avaya’s press release.
The SD-WAN provider announced the 12th version of its solutions.
The firmware update upgraded Ecessa’s next-generation firewall. The NGFW now includes a geoblocking ability and a more simplified configuration process.
“Everyone working from home placed new stress on networks and the professionals managing them, especially as it relates to security,” an Ecessa executive said. “Our enhanced security features directly address these concerns.”
Read the announcement.
The SD-WAN provider announced the 12th version of its solutions.
The firmware update upgraded Ecessa’s next-generation firewall. The NGFW now includes a geoblocking ability and a more simplified configuration process.
“Everyone working from home placed new stress on networks and the professionals managing them, especially as it relates to security,” an Ecessa executive said. “Our enhanced security features directly address these concerns.”
Read the announcement.
More and more technology vendors are incorporating SASE into their portfolios.
AT&T, Cisco and Comcast joined a number of companies who are tightly integrating security and networking capabilities. More and more customers are demanding products and services that reduce their number of security and networking endpoints, and ensure the success of distributed workers. In many cases, the carrier has teamed up with a security or networking vendor to enable the update.
Vendors enhanced their offerings in a variety of categories in addition to SASE. For example, UCaaS companies announced multiple product updates that will give channel partners new selling opportunities. RingCentral is bolstering its security capabilities with an acquisition, and 8×8 launched an integration with Microsoft Teams. Indeed, Teams integrations featured heavily in the month of March, as companies used Microsoft’s direct routing capabilities. Moreover, Microsoft announced an update of its own pertaining to its massively popular Teams application.
We also covered several IT-oriented news pieces, including IBM‘s cloud satellite and a new Menlo Security feature. Lenovo announced a tool that will help businesses manage their many PCs, and a data protection provider updated its DRaaS solutions.
In news we didn’t include in this gallery, the distributor/master agent Jenne announced a “Rapid Quote” capability for Extreme Networks products. Also, Vartopia added an online module that improves communications between channel partners and vendors.
The slides above feature important news updates from leading suppliers and distributors in the channel.
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