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Security software and services provider AVG Technologies announced the release of CloudCare, the latest version of its user-friendly, cloud based administration platform that allows remote deployment and management of IT and security services for small and midsize businesses (SMBs).
The CloudCare release contains two new service offerings–Remote IT and Email Security Services. The commercial release of Remote IT service, previously available in beta, allows SMBs and reseller partners to remotely access and deploy services and troubleshoot a range of issues on client devices. Tasks can be performed remotely from any location, including many that are not AVG software specific—including resolving software issues and security fixes.
The email security module includes AntiSpam, a cloud-based protection program designed to protect against spam, viruses, phishing attacks, malware, denial of service (DoS) attacks, directory harvesting attacks (DHA), and other email-borne threats. The module also includes Email Archive, a platform that provides email-search capabilities, email recovery to the user’s inbox and Web-based access to the archive for business continuity.
“AVG CloudCare has helped us to grow the number of customers we can serve from 0 to 350 in a very short period of time as well as service them more efficiently and cost-effectively,” AVG reseller partner Kevin Landry of Advanced Micro Systems said in a statement. “AVG Remote IT is a key enabler. It’s already saving us thousands of dollars a year by minimizing onsite support, while adding to our customer satisfaction.”
The other features include Encrypted Email, which automatically encrypts all inbox-to-inbox communication through a hosted, secure network to help the SMB’s comply with industry regulations and protect sensitive information, including financial services and state data breach notification laws. In addition, custom policies are available to always encrypt email going to a specific domain.
“AVG is upping the ante in the SMB market by enhancing the range of services provided in AVG CloudCare so that small businesses can enjoy the benefits of simplified IT management, pay-as-you-go services and increased productivity,” Mike Foreman, general manager for AVG SMB group, said in a statement. “The addition of email security services is a natural extension to the AVG CloudCare platform. At a time when SMBs are looking for suitable alternatives to the traditional server-based email security solutions and a trusted cloud-based partner, AVG is combining an email security solution with our proven cloud-based IT management platform to meet their needs.”
According to IT research firm Gartner, cloud services represents one of the biggest SMB tech opportunities in 2013. SMBs will spend approximately $920 billion worldwide on IT services in 2013, and it is estimated that nearly 40 percent of SMBs will spend one-third of their IT budgets on managed cloud services in 2013.