News

5 Big Cloud Reveals from ISVs at WPC 2016

• By Scott Bekker
• July 13, 2016

• More from WPC 2016 here.

Microsoft ISV activity is always fast and furious around the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in July. Here are five products being rolled out, or at least unveiled, to Microsoft partners at the WPC in Toronto that highlight different areas of momentum around the cloud.

1. Dropbox Integrates into BitTitan MSPComplete
BitTitan is expanding its partner-focused cloud enablement platform, MSPComplete, beyond its Office 365 and Azure roots to include Dropbox.

"BitTitan is adding Dropbox as a connector in our MSPComplete platform enabling for rapid migration of files, folder hierarchies and permissions from legacy file-collaboration platforms into Dropbox for Business," says Rocco Seyboth, vice president of Product and Marketing at BitTitan. "We are also expanding the MSPComplete sales automation capabilities with leads and targeted sales scripts to empower partners to successfully sell Dropbox. In the future, additional functionality will be added, enabling partners to create and deliver ongoing managed services for Dropbox."

Hank Humphreys, head of Global Channel Sales for Dropbox, points out that the deal builds on an existing Dropbox-Microsoft partnership. "BitTitan makes file server and cloud migrations to Dropbox fast and easy. Together, we provide the reseller community with additional revenue opportunities," Humphreys says.

"For many Microsoft partners, bundling Dropbox with Exchange Online and then adding in migration services and ongoing management for both will be a winning, profitable solution," Seyboth adds.

2. StorageCraft Launches Cloud Data Protection
StorageCraft Technology Corp. will also preview a broad cloud-to-cloud backup and recovery platform at the WPC that's expected to launch in fall 2016.

The new StorageCraft cloud-to-cloud platform will initially support backup and recovery protection of applications for Microsoft Office 365, Google Apps, Salesforce.com and Box.

"Microsoft partners will have the opportunity to have anywhere, anytime data protection with a fast, reliable backup and recovery solution for their Office 365 data," says Brian Wistisen, director of Product Marketing for StorageCraft. "It provides a very affordable, reliable new offering that allows Office 365 to be protected by StorageCraft -- a company that has a long history of producing best-in-class backup and recovery solutions."

3. Independence IT Updates Cloud Workspace Suite
Independence IT will showcase a thoroughly updated 5.0 version of Cloud Workspace, its software-defined datacenter (SDDC), workspace automation and app services enablement solution.

A highlight of the new version is a new system for provisioning virtual resources in mixed-use cloud/virtual environments for multi-platform service delivery.

"Companies can finally now leverage the economic and control benefits of scalable cloud architecture. Our robust API interoperates with all major cloud providers and every hypervisor on the market," says Seth Bostock, CEO of Independence IT. "What's more, Cloud Workspace Suite 5.0 supports IT service providers at all levels with specific enhancements designed for cross-platform [SDDC] deployment and management."

New in version 5.0 are the UI, integration with Azure Active Directory as a Service, resource scheduling enhancements and the ability to scale server resources up or down as workloads vary. Pricing starts at $7.50 per user per month before volume discounts.

4. Infinite Ops Adds Citrix Support to the IO Console
Infinite Ops is expanding its Infinite Ops Console for delivering virtual workspaces powered by virtual machine-based servers in the public cloud to support Citrix Systems Inc. products.

"This Citrix workspace template uses our current platform, IO Console, and will be added to our current workspace portfolio of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services with Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Remote Desktop Services with Server 2008 R2 with PCoIP, and Microsoft Remote Desktop Services with Server 2012," says Michael Fraser, founder of Infinite Ops. "After the Citrix template release, we will be actively working on adding Parallels Remote Application Server."

All of the Infinite Ops deployment templates are Windows-based and designed so a partner can spin them up for a customer in less than an hour. "With the ability for the partner to use their own cloud provider accounts, partners can use their own accounts or even tie in to their customers' accounts," Fraser says.

5. SkyKick Releases App Syndication, APIs
SkyKick will also be talking to WPC attendees about two new distribution methods for its partner-focused, cloud management software.

The company already uses its Web site and some distribution relationships to sells its tools to help partners migrate customers to Office 365 and manage and backup their cloud accounts once the customers are in the cloud.

Now, SkyKick is adding a syndication option. "Syndicated apps allow partners to embed SkyKick's white-label migration and backup applications directly on the partner Web site in less than an hour. SkyKick syndicated apps increase partner revenue opportunities and operational efficiencies by enabling customers to self-service while still ensuring the partner is in control," the company said in a statement.

In addition, SkyKick is opening its APIs to allow developers to build custom cloud management applications for deeper integration with their own systems for migrating and managing cloud customers.