Email Alerts
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MSPs hone integration skills to meet demand for private cloud services
Customers are likely to adopt a combination of public and private cloud services, which means MSPs should bone up on cloud integration, implementation and management skills. Feature
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MSPs improvise to overcome lackluster cloud support in RMM software
MSPs are clamoring for the next generation of remote monitoring and management (RMM) software to support hybrid cloud customers or those mixing public cloud with legacy IT. Feature
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Cloud service orchestration management
Cloud computing service providers can benefit from a service strategy, including service catalogue management and SLA development. Feature
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An MSP's guide to selling cloud backup services and cloud-based DR
Learn more about how MSPs can offer cloud backup services, cloud disaster recovery services and other data protection services in the cloud in this free chapter download. Chapter Download
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Commentary: Cisco CloudVerse shows cloud vendors need holistic strategy
Every vendor is trying to get a place in the cloud. Cisco, though, has more cloud vendor credentials in the space than most, so its approach should be taken seriously. Opinion
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Hybrid hosting services primer: Lessons from Rackspace and GoGrid
In this primer, learn how Rackspace and GoGrid developed hybrid hosting services by combining cloud and managed hosting services into a standard offering. Feature
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Cloud portability primer: How and why a provider should offer it
Cloud portability may make it easier for a customer to leave, but it can also boost business. Find out how and why a cloud provider should offer cloud portability. Feature
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Cloud computing business concerns: Environment testing
Testing in your customers' environments in areas such as bandwidth and understanding potential cloud business concerns will help determine whether the cloud is a good fit. Chapter Excerpt
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Cloud applications: A programming languages background
If your customers are clamoring for cloud-based applications, you need to get a grip on various kinds of applications and the programming languages used to create these apps. Chapter Excerpt
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Cloud computing platforms, applications study guide
Learn about cloud computing platforms and cloud computing applications with this study guide and get information on cloud requirements, pricing, categories and features. Study Guide
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News briefs: Google cloud services headline I/O, Compute Engine opens
In these briefs, Google I/O delivers news about Google's cloud services, including a new database service and general availability of Compute Engine. News | 17 May 2013
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News briefs: Liability insurance for providers, multi-cloud takes off
In these news briefs, a survey suggests more enterprises use multi-cloud strategies, and the MSPAlliance updates its cloud insurance for providers. News | 30 Apr 2013
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News briefs: Rackspace-Uniloc patent suit dismissed, cloud pricing wars
In these news briefs, a judge throws out a bogus Uniloc patent suit against Rackspace, IaaS providers show no sign of slackening cloud pricing wars. News | 02 Apr 2013
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Vendors add Collaboration as a Service to providers' portfolios
Avaya announces its Collaborative Cloud offering, enabling service providers to deliver Collaboration as a Service. News | 28 Mar 2013
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Citrix updates self-service cloud portal to pave the way for XaaS
Citrix's new self-service cloud portal software serves as an easy-to-use cloud orchestration tool for providers to deliver Anything as a Service. News | 27 Mar 2013
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News briefs: AWS cloud storage slips to Azure, VCE debuts new Vblocks
In these news briefs, Microsoft Azure bests AWS cloud in performance tests, and VCE targets midsize firms with two Vblock Systems and new software. News | 26 Feb 2013
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Service providers wooed by cloud opportunity, unsure of starting point
Traditional service providers are enticed by growing cloud opportunity, and are turning to established cloud providers for help entering the market. News | 01 Nov 2012
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Rackspace OpenStack: Customers want build-your-own-cloud options
Rackspace OpenStack cloud announcement grants users freedom to deploy a public, private or hybrid cloud model with the OpenStack provider of their choice. News | 09 Aug 2012
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Dimension Data expands its cloud portfolio and channel
Dimension Data's cloud services portfolio expansion allows partners to overcome issues associated with selling cloud services and provide customers with the appropriate solutions. News | 18 Jun 2012
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As demand matures, new cloud apps call for new orchestration layer
As more customers migrated business applications into the cloud, IT provider CSC had to upgrade its legacy orchestration layer to handle complex provisioning needs. News | 07 Jun 2012
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SDN and OpenFlow may hold the key to improving cloud automation
Cloud automation is critical to provide optimal service delivery in a highly elastic model, and software-defined networking (SDN) may be the glue that holds it together. Tip
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10 essential questions to ask potential cloud computing vendors
Cloud providers getting ready to make decisions on cloud infrastructure products should ask potential cloud computing vendors these 10 essential questions before buying. Tip
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Sealing the deal: Factoring in product and cloud integration
Before buying, providers need to estimate cloud integration costs, weigh product function against price and balance service cost and flexibility. Tip
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RFP technology decisions: Buying a cloud platform and components
Providers must use care when buying cloud components and platforms for their infrastructure so they can offer the services customers will want to buy. Tip
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Choosing cloud infrastructure for business and technology flexibility
By purchasing flexible cloud infrastructure components, providers can offer services that address evolving business problems using technical solutions. Tip
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Tier 3: Cloud federation enables providers to expand service footprint
In part three of this series on cloud federation, network services expert Rebecca Wetzel explains how Tier 3's platform enables providers to rapidly expand their footprints. Tip
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Three paths to the federated cloud: Which is right for you?
In this three-part tip series, learn about three trail-blazing players in federated cloud, their distinct business models and how they work with cloud providers. Tip
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Is OpenStack architecture really the best choice to build IaaS clouds?
The OpenStack architecture could alter the relationship between cloud computing and the network, but is it over-hyped? That is a critical question, but it's hard to answer. Tip
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A provider's guide to building behavior-based mobile cloud services
Behavior-based mobile cloud services are a $500 billion opportunity, but it requires strategic decisions about virtualization, network architecture and OSS/BSS platforms. Tip
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MSPAlliance: Cloud certification, audit brings order to chaotic market
Not all clouds are created equal, but there should be equality for a cloud certification among providers, says MSPAlliance CEO Charles Weaver in this guest column. Tip
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What features should we look for in cloud management software?
Cloud expert Mooney Sherman says cloud management software should track how providers allocate resources and gauge the security of the operations. Answer
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What kind of cloud management tools do customers need from providers?
The cloud management tools and reporting capabilities customers expect depend on individual service deployment models and use cases. Answer
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Cloud managed services challenges for enterprises and SMBs
Channel and managed services expert Lauren Robinette breaks down the largest challenges that enterprises and SMBs face when crafting their cloud and managed services strategies. Answer
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How can I help clients meet service-level requirements?
Learn how to help your clients meet their service-level requirements in the face of a difficult budgetary situation. Ask the Expert
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Red Hat Cloud Partner Program
The Red Hat Cloud Partner Program is an initiative offering Red Hat certification for cloud providers. Definition
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Red Hat Certified Cloud Provider
A Red Hat Certified Cloud Provider is a member in the company's cloud partner program that has met requirements to offer Red Hat products and services in a cloud computing environment. Definition
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Symantec.cloud Service Provider Program
The Symantec.cloud Service Provider Program is Symantec’s partner program for managed service providers, hosted application providers, Internet service providers and telecommunication companies. Definition
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EMC cloud architect certification (EMCCA)
EMC Cloud Architect Certification (EMCCA) is a certification and training offering by storage vendor EMC on high-level cloud architecture and design concepts. Definition
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Citrix Cloud Provider Program
The Citrix Cloud Provider Program is an invitation-only partner program for cloud computing service providers. Definition
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Cisco Cloud Partner Program
The Cisco Cloud Partner Program is an initiative by Cisco to help its channel partners enter the cloud computing marketplace. The Cisco Cloud Partner Program consists of three tracks: Cloud Builder, Cloud Provider and Cloud Services Reseller. Definition
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Cisco Cloud Builder
Cisco Cloud Builder is one of three tracks within the Cisco Cloud Partner Program. The other two tracks of the program are Cloud Provider and Cloud Services Reseller. Definition
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HP CloudAgile Service Provider Program
HP CloudAgile Service Provider Program is an initiative aimed at cloud and telecommunication providers, hosting service providers, system integrators and value-added resellers (VARs) in the cloud market. Definition
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AT&T Synaptic Compute as a Service
AT&T Synaptic Compute as a Service is an infrastructure as a service (IaaS) offering that allows software developers and business customers to access virtualized servers in an AT&T data center on a pay-per-use basis. Definition
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SlapOS
SlapOS (Simple Language for Accounting and Provisioning Operating System) is an open source operating system for distributed cloud computing. Definition
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Top cloud services enterprises and SMBs want to buy
A recent survey revealed the top cloud services that IT pros want to buy in the next six months. Find out if you're ready to meet their needs. Photo Story
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CloudCast Weekly: For Rackspace, OpenStack helps dispel lock-in fears
According to Rackspace, OpenStack is the antidote for cloud lock-in. But is that enough to lure away Amazon and Google customers? Podcast
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Storage hypervisor makes cloud storage fast, affordable and reliable
In this podcast, learn how cloud provider Host.net uses a storage hypervisor from DataCore Software to ensure fast, economical and high-availability storage in its cloud. Podcast
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VAR business must prep for cloud computing services
The VAR business can benefit greatly from offering cloud computing services and applications, according to IDC's vice president of channels, Janet Waxman. Video
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News briefs: Google cloud services headline I/O, Compute Engine opens
In these briefs, Google I/O delivers news about Google's cloud services, including a new database service and general availability of Compute Engine. News
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News briefs: Liability insurance for providers, multi-cloud takes off
In these news briefs, a survey suggests more enterprises use multi-cloud strategies, and the MSPAlliance updates its cloud insurance for providers. News
-
News briefs: Rackspace-Uniloc patent suit dismissed, cloud pricing wars
In these news briefs, a judge throws out a bogus Uniloc patent suit against Rackspace, IaaS providers show no sign of slackening cloud pricing wars. News
-
Vendors add Collaboration as a Service to providers' portfolios
Avaya announces its Collaborative Cloud offering, enabling service providers to deliver Collaboration as a Service. News
-
Citrix updates self-service cloud portal to pave the way for XaaS
Citrix's new self-service cloud portal software serves as an easy-to-use cloud orchestration tool for providers to deliver Anything as a Service. News
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News briefs: AWS cloud storage slips to Azure, VCE debuts new Vblocks
In these news briefs, Microsoft Azure bests AWS cloud in performance tests, and VCE targets midsize firms with two Vblock Systems and new software. News
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What features should we look for in cloud management software?
Cloud expert Mooney Sherman says cloud management software should track how providers allocate resources and gauge the security of the operations. Answer
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What kind of cloud management tools do customers need from providers?
The cloud management tools and reporting capabilities customers expect depend on individual service deployment models and use cases. Answer
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Service providers wooed by cloud opportunity, unsure of starting point
Traditional service providers are enticed by growing cloud opportunity, and are turning to established cloud providers for help entering the market. News
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SDN and OpenFlow may hold the key to improving cloud automation
Cloud automation is critical to provide optimal service delivery in a highly elastic model, and software-defined networking (SDN) may be the glue that holds it together. Tip
- See more All on Cloud Platforms and Tools for Managed Service Providers
About Cloud Platforms and Tools for Managed Service Providers
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offering cloud-based services are finding that channel business automation systems, or professional services automation (PSA) tools, are making it more efficient to run an IT services business after moving to a cloud computing platform. Instead of using multiple IT systems, one portal-enabled PSA interface can incorporate CRM applications that include billing, invoice tracking, help-desk ticket systems and technician scheduling. Find out if cloud-based PSA software can save time and money.