The platform's features include use of a subscription-based delivery model for software applications.
Technology
giant Intel has launched the AppUp Small Business Service, an offering running
on the company's Hybrid Cloud platform that is designed to enable server
manufacturers, software vendors and service providers to offer small businesses
the advantages of cloud computing with applications and data running on their
own premises. Intel's AppUp Small Business Service represents a new business
model for Intel.
The
solution consists of a server, a catalog of prepackaged small business
applications from a broad range of software providers, and Intel-developed
software to securely manage and track use of the application software. Small
business customers access the solution through service providers, paying on a
monthly basis for the software they use, just like in the cloud, but getting
the responsiveness and control of running their applications and data onsite.
"We
developed the Intel AppUp Small Business Service to build a foundation on which
the industry can innovate and provide small business customers with a more
convenient, secure and high-performance experience," said Bridget Karlin,
general manager of Intel Hybrid Cloud. "Small businesses are the ultimate
beneficiaries because this service gives them a compelling new option for
improving their business results through IT. This Intel-based solution comes
ready to use, and doesn't require their own IT staff or the capital cost of a
server."
Features
include use of a subscription-based delivery model for software applications.
Intel-developed software activates, deactivates and then tracks the customer's
usage of those applications on a platform that is secured using Intel Trusted
Execution Technology (Intel TXT) in Intel Xeon processors. Each month, that
server tracks software usage and sends an encrypted report to an Intel data
center. Intel invoices the small business's service provider, which bills the
small business customer.
In
addition, service providers can remotely manage their customers' servers that
employ this Intel Hybrid Cloud reference design by using a Web portal hosted by
Intel and secured by a Web application firewall and HTTPS encrypted communication.
Using Intel Active Management Technology (Intel AMT), service providers can
remotely troubleshoot, diagnose and support the servers. The company's
Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) and virtualization software enable
delivery of "virtual appliances" to the small business user,
providing preintegrated operating systems and small business software that can
be turned on or off as needed, and maintained by the service provider.
The
AppUp Small Business Service also provides a delivery mechanism and a catalog
of a variety of software for small businesses from software providers including
Astaro, GFI Software, gloStream, Intuit, Level Platforms, Microsoft, SIOS,
Tally and Vembu. A growing number of applications will be soon available in the
catalog from additional software providers, the company said in a
statement, including Allscripts, Apani, Asigra, ClearCenter, Coversant,
Critical Links, Elina Networks, Ensim, eTurns, Fonality, KineticD, Lumension,
McAfee, Novell, Pragma Systems, StorageCraft, Symantec and WorkSpace
Communications.
Service
providers work with their small business customers to choose what they need
from the catalog. The service provider orders the solution, and the Intel AppUp
Small Business Service delivers the software to the Intel Hybrid Cloud server
deployed at the customer's premises. Initial server platforms include the
Lenovo ThinkServer TS200v and a white box server. A range of additional server
models from Acer, NEC and others will soon be available.
Nathan Eddy is Associate Editor, Midmarket, at eWEEK.com. Before joining eWEEK.com, Nate was a writer with ChannelWeb and he served as an editor at FierceMarkets. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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