Archivo de la categoría: News

News

Blue Coat Systems Acquires Elastica

Blue Coat Systems as recently announced its agreement to acquire Elastica , Inc. for $280 million.

Because of the unprecedented rate with which cloud applications have been adopted, there is also an unprecedented necessity for increased security and protection for such applications. Due to the mixed use of cloud and on premise applications, Blue Coat Systems has found it difficult to efficiently manage its security. With the addition of Elastica, Blue Coat  will be able to offer a global security platform with across the board data level security. This will make Blue Coat the only company to deliver the requirements that resulted from post-infrastructure. By combining the talents of Blue Coat with Elastica’s Cloud Access Security and Analytics, Blue Coat will  provide a solution to the problems associated with cloud security requirements. Elastica’s CloudSOC provides tools such as threat scoring powered by machine learning, user and end-point behavior modeling, natural language-based cloud DLP, and analysis with remediation in a cloud application SOC. Elastica delivers such tools through its CASB gateway and API controls for cloud security management and enforcement.

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Greg Clark, Blue Coat CEO, has commented: “This acquisition gives Blue Coat customers access to Elastica’s CloudSOC, which brings an unprecedented level of elegance and innovation to something that is rapidly becoming a complex challenge for organizations to solve. As we evaluated many CASB players, it was clear that Elastica’s technologies represent the future of the CASB space. Segmented CASB players have survived through their dependency upon existing on-premise infrastructure. As the industry’s leading web security platform, it is natural for Blue Coat to be the first to deliver an extended spectrum of CASB capabilities while also delivering them with our cloud protection solutions.”

Mike Fey, Blue Coat president and COO, also added, ““Our customers cannot tolerate a world where the performance and security of cloud applications are spread across a tangled web of solutions leaving them powerless to manage the threat and deliver the SLA which their users have come to expect. Corporations are facing a dissolving perimeter. The traditional infrastructure-centric way of protecting users cannot support the cloud age. We have made it our mission to solve this challenge by delivering an entire solution from the cloud, specifically built for the cloud.”

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Microsoft, News, Services

Microsoft Plans to Expand into Germany with Help from T-Systems

Microsoft has recently paired with a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, T-Systems, in offering Azure cloud services to Germany. This announcement comes after news of major expansion into the United Kingdom. Two data centers will be located in Magdeburg and Frankfurt. They will start delivering Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics CRM Online to Germany during the second half of 2016.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has commented “Our new datacenter regions in Germany, operated in partnership with Deutsche Telekom, will not only spur local innovation and growth, but offer customers choice and trust in how their data is handled and where it is stored.” T –System will have control of customer access stored on cloud servers. In order for Microsoft to access information stored on the servers, it will have to obtain permission from either customers or T-Systems. Once permission is granted, T-Systems will supervise the activity.  Alex Stüger, area vice president for Microsoft Germany, has stated that: “this will help us meet growing demand for Microsoft cloud services in Germany, and across Europe, by providing an innovative, scalable and consistent cloud computing platform combined with a German data trustee model.”

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In addition to Stüger’s comments,  CEO of Deutsche Telekom, Timotheus Höttges, has stated, “Microsoft is pioneering a new, unique solution for customers in Germany and Europe. Now, customers who want local control of their data combined with Microsoft’s cloud services have a new option, and I anticipate it will be rapidly adopted.”

The company is also investing in cloud security. The centers will contain features such as biometric scanning, smart cards and other physical access controls while data will be protected by cure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS) encryption based on German certificates and multifactor authentication. To ensure data stays within Germany, a private network will be utilized to share data between regions. Doug Hauger, general manager of Microsoft National Cloud Programs has recently written in a blog post, “”These new regions will adhere to the same service and quality standards of all Microsoft Cloud regions. In addition, the services will feature the same industry-leading levels of security, privacy and control, compliance, and transparency that define the Microsoft trusted cloud. Microsoft is committed to innovating to meet the needs of its customers, and understands that customers and partners will only choose technology they trust.”

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News

Ovum Cloud Security

Tim Jennings, an Ovum analyst, has declared that although there are many fears surrounding the security of the cloud, the increasing number of data breaches is more likely to influence enterprise transition to the cloud. This trend exemplifies the increasing level of maturity of the cloud environment. Jennings commented in a blog,” “Given that data security and privacy concerns have been an inhibitor during the early stages of cloud adoption, it is somewhat ironic that the continued spate of high-profile customer data breaches is likely to push more enterprises toward cloud services. One can envisage, therefore, pointed conversations within boardrooms as CIOs and chief security officers are questioned about the likelihood of their organizations being the next to suffer reputational damage through the exposure of customer data. Many organizations will conclude that using the expertise of a third party is a more reliable approach than depending on in-house resources.”

To a certain extent, some degree of vulnerability will always be prevalent. Jennings added, “Many have been like rabbits caught in the headlights, seemingly having little insight into the root cause of the failure, the extent of the consequences, or the actions required for remediation.”

Outsourcing to modern cloud providers appears to be the logical move. Cloud providers have invested large amounts of money into the security sector, covering areas from the physical security of a center to encryption of customer data and advanced security intelligence.

While it is unrealistic for large companies to replicate this sophisticated cloud environments created by experts, adopting a public cloud environment is not always safer. “It may be that enterprises prefer to use either an on premise or virtual private cloud, while still taking advantage of a specialist provider’s management and security capabilities. Nor does it mean that the responsibility for security and customer data passes away from the enterprise—even though the delivery of these capabilities is in the hands of the third party, governance and control must be retained in-house.”

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News, Services

Accenture Acquires Cloud Sherpas

Cloud Sherpas, an Atlanta based global technology service provider, has recently been purchased by Accenture. Cloud Sherpas provides cloud based services to companies that wish to both manage their customer relations and make their IT processes more efficient. Since its origination in 2008, Cloud Sherpas has seen rapid growth, with its current 1,100 employees across the world in countries such as Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Accenture bought Cloud Sherpas so that it could strengthen the company and become a leading provider of cloud based services to clients that want cloud based solutions. The purchase allows for the combination of each companies skill set: Accenture’s powerful cloud strategy and technology consulting and Cloud Sherpas’ cloud implementation, integration, and management services.

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Cloud Sherpas’ employees will join the newly developed Accenture Cloud First Applications sector. This new team will continue to provide Sherpas’ cloud services to companies such as Google, NetSuite, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and  Workday. Paul Daugherty, Accenture’s Chief Technology Officer has commented: “The addition of Cloud Sherpas to the Accenture Cloud First Applications team reinforces our position as a leading global provider of enterprise cloud services. We welcome the extremely talented Cloud Sherpas specialists to Accenture, where together we are even better positioned to help clients move their businesses to the cloud and achieve significant business results faster than ever before.”

Details pertaining to the amount paid for Cloud Sherpas were not disclosed.

About Accenture:

Accenture plc is a multinational management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company. Founded in 1989, Accenture focuses on making investments in areas such as training, acquisitions, emerging technology, and offerings and assets.  Its headquarters are currently located in Chicago.

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News, Services

Datalounges Utilizing SUSE OpenStack

SUSE has recently announced Datalounges., an enterprise cloud service provider that utilizes SUSE OpenStack Cloud to provide a cloud service environment for companies of a myriad  of sizes. SUSE OpenStack Cloud is Datalounges platform for delivering enterprise cloud services as well as support services.  Kai Kankaala, board adviser, Sales, at Datalounges, stated,” SUSE OpenStack Cloud gives our customers the power to do anything they want. We are seeing rapid growth in customers building their own revenue-generating services on our platform. They focus on their business opportunity, and we provide the robust cloud service that underpins it.”

Because Datalounges has focused on fully supported infrastructures instead of individual servers, the company has grown rapidly.  Customers have the power to choose anything from a self-managed to a fully managed solution. SUSE Manager is being utilized to give customers end-to-end coverage for the fully managed  environment. Datalounges is currently in the process of developing its own tool based on OpenStack Ceilometer for managing and automating virtual infrastructure.

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Kankaala later commented, “SUSE OpenStack Cloud has been our cloud services platform from day one. We also tested pure OpenStack and the Red Hat variant. The SUSE option was superior in terms of pricing, the enterprise-level support and built-in automation features. We want to be the best OpenStack cloud computing service provider in Finland. That’s why we partnered with SUSE.”

Mark Smith, senior marketing manager of cloud solutions at SUSE, has commented, “Datalounges’ success with SUSE OpenStack Cloud is a clear example of OpenStack’s maturation as the leading open source solution for private cloud. Many businesses are seeking greater agility, speed and flexibility to create new, innovative projects to fuel business growth. That’s where SUSE OpenStack Cloud ties in, providing customers with a pain-free private cloud experience with built-in high-availability in a production-ready solution.”

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News, Services

IZO Private Cloud Service

Tata Communications has launched IZO Private Cloud service, giving direct control to organizations hosting the service over their critical data. Genius Wong, President for Global Network Services, Cloud and Data Center Services at Tata Communications has commented, “IZO Private Cloud is the next step on our mission to harness our partnerships, global network and data centre infrastructure. The new service puts the CIO back in control of their cloud and data center estate.”  This new services will be available in a total of 12 countries around the world, including cities such India, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK, & the US.

The service will allows users to access software on a pay per use basis, so that they do not have to purchase the entire product. In certain industries, companies prefer to maintain a private cloud over a public cloud so that their information is secure. Srinivasan CR, Vice President for Global Product Management at Tata Communications has also stated, “Most of the times customers are worried about security on public cloud, our private cloud offering takes that security concern out.”

The IZO Private Cloud service is a part of the companies’ network platform, which currently has over 20 service providers. These providers cover countries accounting for roughly eighty-five per cent of the world’s GDP. Tata Communications has partnered with the likes of Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Service, and Salesforce to offer cloud services.

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Microsoft, News, Services

Microsoft and Dell Pair Up

Less than two weeks after it announced a $67 billion bid to buy and privatize EMC, Dell has announced plans to develop a new hybrid cloud solution with Microsoft. The hybrid cloud aims to help customers with the difficulties that accompany the cloud. In addition, Dell announced a payment solution to help dissolve risks associated with cloud adoption. Dells extensive research into the hybrid cloud sector has convinced the company that this route will be successful.

Jim Ganthier, vice president and general manager of engineered solutions and cloud at Dell, has stated, “The challenges most customers face on their cloud journey are clear. They tell us it’s too complex, the cost-risk is too high, and control isn’t transparent.”

Dell has announced Dell Hybrid Cloud System for Microsoft, The new system is built around the new Microsoft Cloud Platform System Standard that was discussed  by Dell and Microsoft CEO’s Michael Dell and Satya Nadella, respectively. According to the two companies,  the Dell Hybrid Cloud System for Microsoft is an industry first; the new system delivers automated deployment and maintenance capabilities; a payment solution to reduce  customer investment risk; and hybrid cloud governance, control, and policy-based automation for Microsoft Azure along with other cloud environments. Scott Guthrie, executive vice president for cloud and enterprise at Microsoft, stated,” “Customers want to simplify and accelerate their journey to the cloud.”

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The solution is set to contain an on premise private cloud as well as the ability to build and provision workload templates. It will also organize business services of a multitude of cloud environments through integration with the Dell Cloud Manager. The solution also offers unified private-with-public cloud management and consumption control across Windows Azure Pack, Azure and other cloud services.

In addition to Dell Hybrid Cloud System, Dell Cloud Flex Pay is also being offered. This new program allows users to utilize the Dell Hybrid Cloud System for Microsoft with payment flexibility that entails cost savings without requirement of long term commitment.

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News, Services

EMC and VMware Discloses New Cloud Services Business

EMC Corporation and VMware have recently announced plans to create a new cloud service business through combination of their individual cloud capabilities, along with existing Virtustream cloud offerings. Virtustream will be jointly owned by VMware and EMC and led by Rodney Rogers, CEO of Virtustream.  A definitive agreement is expected to be reached soon, with Virtustream’s financial results being consolidated into VMware’s financial statements in 2016.

Joe Tucci, EMC Corporation Chairman and CEO, has stated, “”Through Virtustream, we are addressing the changes in buying patterns and IT cloud operation models that we are seeing in the market. Our customers consistently tell us that they are focused on their IT transformations and journeys to the hybrid cloud. The EMC Federation is now positioned as a complete provider of hybrid cloud offerings.”

The new business is set to incorporate the capabilities of both VMware and EMC along with Information Infrastructure, VCE, Virtustream in order to provide the complete spectrum of on- and off- premises offerings including: VMware vCloud Air, VCE Cloud Managed Services, Virtustream’s Infrastructure-as-a-Service, and EMC’s Storage Managed Services and Object Storage Services offerings.

VMware will establish a Cloud Provider Software business unit led by Ajay Patel, VMware senior vice president. The software with focus on delivering solutions and software to cloud providers that with hopefully allow them to harness the capabilities of the hybrid cloud. This new unit will incorporate assets and people from the VMware vCloud Air Application Services business, vCloud Director and vCloud Air Network teams.

Rodney Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, Virtustream, has also commented, “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to lead the new Virtustream,” said Rodney Rogers, CEO for Virtustream. “Our vision of combining our IP and collective cloud platform and services capabilities for mission-critical applications, backed by the strength and reach of EMC and VMware will deliver an enterprise-focused hybrid cloud solution that is unrivaled in the market. We expect Virtustream will become one of the top 5 service providers globally and are thrilled about what this means to all of our customers, partners, and the Federation moving forward.”

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News

Bracket Computing Raises $45 Million

Bracket Computing, accompany that strives to deliver enterprise computing driven by business needs instead of hardware limitations, has raised upwards of $45 million in a Series C funding round. The total funding from this round and all previous is estimated to be more than $130 million. There are two new investors: Fidelity Management and Research Company and Goldman Sachs, These two companies are joined by Bracket’s previous investors Allegis Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, ARTIS Ventures, Columbus Nova Technology Partners, Norwest Venture Partners, and Sutter Hill Ventures. Bracket Capital plans to use this new capital to develop the Bracket Computing Cell and finance the company’s global expansion. The Bracket Computing cell allows enterprise applications and data and their associated security, networking, and data management infrastructure to reside in a single software design. This Computing Cell has been formatted to function across a multitude of public cloud providers in addition to the company’s on-premise data center. The result of this formatting will be a consistent virtual enterprise-grade infrastructure.

Tom Gillis, CEO and co-founder of Bracket, has commented, “Bracket is fundamentally redefining enterprise computing. Financial firms need to remain technology leaders, and we’re working with some of the very largest as we define the blueprint for the data center of the future. Our vision is to provide a secure, advanced, virtual infrastructure that spans multiple clouds, both private and public, with one consistent set of capabilities. Having investors of this quality bolsters our efforts to build this ambitious technology.”

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Jason Lango, CTO and co-founder of Bracket, has added, ““Imagine if you could encapsulate your most sensitive applications, data, and services and have them run securely across leading hyper scale public clouds and your private cloud, all the while ensuring consistent security controls and data management capabilities. This is what a Bracket Computing Cell allows. It enables an enterprise without boundaries, without sacrificing security and control.” Within the Computing Cell there is encryption technology that enhances security by creating a secure fabric that extends the user’s trust across multiple hyper scale clouds that it doesn’t necessarily control. Such an approach allows the user to span multiple public clouds while still maintaining a high level of security.

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News, Services

IBM and Etihad Deal

Recently, Etihad Airways has signed a $700 million deal with cloud giant IBM.  IBM is set to provide the company’s passengers with cloud computing services that will make air travel easier. This ten year service agreement entails that IBM will provide new information technology services to Etihad and its partner airlines via a new cloud data center in Abu Dhabi.  This new data center will be developed and created by IBM. According to Etihad, the center will be one of the most sophisticated of the facilities in the Middle East. As airlines look to reduce line times, they are beginning to invest in IT solutions, as Etihad has with IBM. Cloud technologies will help the airlines improve security while reducing the cost for passengers.

Etihad is the newest addition to the trend of airlines that have adopted cloud-based collaborative decision-making systems. Such systems aim to share important information such as flight departure and arrival times and baggage information.  Etihad joins companies such as Lufthansa, who signed a €1 billion IT outsourcing deal with IBM, and British Airways, who signed a deal with Red Hat to increase its cloud computing capabilities.

New technologies may include better luggage drops with label printing and self-boarding gates based on data generated from check-ins, enable airlines to order, replace and maintain aircraft components more efficiently, better estimate travel times, and better manage loyalty programs.

James Hogan, Etihad’s president and chief executive, has commented, “This is a game-changing agreement for Etihad Airways, for our partners and employees, and for Abu Dhabi. This is a long-term, strategic partnership which will allow Etihad Airways and its partners to harness the latest technologies as we deliver our services.” IBM and Etihad will also create a joint technology and innovation council in Abu Dhabi to work on developing more personal travel solutions.

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