Computer Associates Dives into Managed Services Pool

Computer Associates International made the jump last week into the managed services field, announcing a new program for channel partners.

The Certified Managed Services Provider program will focus on delivering technology, sales and marketing tools and assistance to partners entering or expanding in the remote network and systems management market.

"It's one thing to provide software, but you also have to provide other resources, such as business technology personnel and marketing strategies, to make it all work," says Allan Peters, senior vice president for CA's channel sales.

There has been a strong interest in managed services from CA's partners and customers, Peters says. The e-business solution provider began work on the project about a year ago and the program has already attracted several partners, including Panurgy, Data Care and EC Cubed, since its debut.

The program offers special licensing and pricing on NetworkIT 2.0, training and certification services for partners' staffs, and access to CA's managed services Web site, which provides business-planning templates and return-on-investment models for members.

Peters says the managed services program will focus on helping small and midsize businesses that don't have the resources to manage a large infrastructure. Peters adds that CA had made a "considerable investment" in the program, adding new employees and establishing ties with analysts and research experts.

CA also announced an agreement last week with Red Hat that will ship a live trial version of CA's ARCserveIT 6.61, a data-protection solution for Red Hat's Linux 7 Professional Edition.

The ARCserveIT software provides Linux users with a Web-based Java GUI that can manage data-protection services from a single centralized console. Customers upgrading to the full ARCserveIT for Red Hat Linux will qualify for volume discounts under CA's Open License Program.

The agreement with Red Hat, which is an expansion of their year-old strategic alliance, bolsters CA's presence in the Linux market. The company now offers Linux solutions for security, network and Web management, and database application development.