Symantec Rolls Out Backup Exec.Cloud Through Distributors

Backup Exec.Cloud, based on Symantec's Backup Exec data protection application, provides automated, encrypted streaming of a businesses data to Symantec's own data centers.

It is the latest offering from the Symantec.Cloud line of cloud-based applications, said Anne O'Neill, senior director of strategic marketing for SMB and Symantec.Cloud.

These are cloud-based services for security, information management, and data protection," O'Neill said. "By making these available as SaaS (software-as-a-service), it means new opportunities for our partner community around these services."

Backup Exec.Cloud targets the needs of very small businesses with typically up to 49 users, as well as the needs of small remote offices or communities of remote users, O'Neill said. It offers full protection of file, Microsoft Exchange, and Microsoft SQL data, she said.

Starting this week, Backup Exec.Cloud will be available to solution providers through Ingram Micro and Synnex. Eventually there could be other distributors as well once the vendor has ensured a smooth rollout with them, O'Neill said.

Bringing Symantec Backup Exec.Cloud through distribution now gives partners three different models for working with small businesses, including selling the software for those who want to manage data protection in-house, offering remote management services, and using the cloud, O'Neill said.

"This is all about working with our distributors to take our opportunity to the channel," she said. "We want to expand our products in a way they are used to doing business.

Jason Bystrak, director of sales for Ingram Micro Cloud, said that distributors such as his offer an important roll for solution providers looking to build cloud practices.

The key value for distribution stems from the fact that most customer solutions involve products from six to eight vendors, Bystrak said.

For instance, a solution might include an infrastructure-as-a-service offering from IBM or Rackspace, a remote monitoring and or help desk offering, and a hosted Exchange or SharePoint offering from someone like InterMedia, he said.

"VARs are not just offering Backup Exec.Cloud, but other parts of the solution as well," he said. "They can get one call to Ingram Micro to get licensing, deploy, and set up monthly recurring revenue. They could also work direct with vendors to do this. But what if there are five vendors in the solution? If the customer calls back, and says it wants an additional 10 seats, does the VAR want to make five more phone calls? With Ingram Micro, they could do it with one call."

Ingram Micro also helps solution providers bundle cloud-based solutions from multiple vendors, and provides the training and education partners need to offer such solutions, Bystrak said.

Backup Exec.Cloud is the second offering in the Symantec.Cloud line, O'Neill said. The first was Symantec Endpoint Protection.Cloud, which the company started offering through its distribution partners in July.