AVG has rolled out a new security and IT management platform designed to help channel partners and MSPs serve high volumes of SMB customers quickly and efficiently.

AVG CloudCare serves as a cloud-based administrative platform that enables partners to remotely manage AVG's antivirus and content filtering services across their entire client base while minimizing truck rolls and time spent on repetitive administrative tasks. The platform is offered free of charge to participating channel partners and MSPs.

Features include remote, single-click deployment for installs and deactivations, keyless licensing, preset policies, automatic alerts and customizable reports, as well as real-time updates and automated upgrades.

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The platform is modular in nature, with antivirus and content filtering modules kicking off the rollout. The system also helps to identify new sales opportunities. In addition, a beta test is underway for a new Remote IT feature that enables solution providers to remotely access and troubleshoot issues under customers' devices from any location.

"The product is really built for the sub-100 user market," said Luke Walling, vice president of North America sales at AVG. "We have honed in on this because this is what our partners have told us would be most valuable to them. But, we can also scale up. We probably don't have the enterprise features for a multithousand-seat environment, but we've definitely got the features and functions necessary for the 100 and less market."

Walling points out that the small- to medium-sized business segment is typically demanding of the channel, given the customers' frequent combination of cost sensitivity and limited IT expertise. "Partners have been asking us for several years to develop a solution that is in line with what you're seeing here," he added.

"The problem with most AV solutions is that you don't know what's going on until the client calls," said Lon Cariveau, CEO of LLC Corporation, a Grafton, Wis.-based channel partner. "But now I get notified and can clearly demonstrate that I know what is going on."

NEXT: Cost-Saving, Efficiency Are Key

The sales model is based on a monthly fee that does not require a multiyear subscription. However, one-or two-year licenses are available, if the customer prefers. Fees are based on specific services actually in use. Services can be activated or deactivated, as needed.

"The whole premise is to lower costs, save time and money and reduce truck rolls," said Walling. "We bring more to the cloud and make it easier for partners to deliver the services."

That theme resonates with John Rutkowski, CEO of Bolder Designs, a Newark, Del.-based partner. "This cuts down on the time it takes to secure the customer, which increases our profits," he said.

For Matthew Adkins, president of Vanguard Technologies, a Toledo, Ohio-based MSP, the unified platform is likely to make a big difference moving forward. "We need to deploy the same AV product everywhere, but there had been no unified platform to support account control," he said. "We like the opportunity to control everything from one portal. Efficiency is key."

The system is now available on a worldwide basis after having been beta tested by a select group of partners who provided feedback into product development.

PUBLISHED OCT. 11, 2012