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Karlin said MSPs can deliver hybrid cloud as a service to SMBs and "wrap their own solutions and services around it." Some potential use cases available to MSPs via the Intel AppUp Service include ERP-as-a-service, collaboration-as-a-service, security-as-a-service and backup-as-a-service. They can also remotely manage customers' servers via a Web portal hosted by Intel and use Intel Active Management Technology to remotely troubleshoot, diagnose, and support the servers.
Additionally, Intel Virtualization Technology and virtualization software enable delivery of "virtual appliances" to the small business user, providing pre-integrated operating systems and small business software that can be turned on or off as needed, and easily maintained by the service provider.
Meanwhile, OEMs can package and white-label offerings, Karlin said. Early OEM partners include Lenovo, Acer and NEC.
For Intel AppUp Small Business Cloud Service, MSPs work with their small business customers to choose what they need from the catalog. The MSP then orders the solution and the Intel AppUp Small Business Service delivers the software to the Intel Hybrid Cloud server deployed on-premise at the customer site.
The Intel Hybrid Cloud is based on a single socket Xeon processor and currently available on Lenovo hardware and via white box servers to deliver core applications for SMBs. In the second half of 2011, Intel will offer its Hybrid Cloud platform on a two socket processor with hardware available via NEC and Acer with a complete solution stack for verticals. And in 2012, Intel expects to offer a range of platform choices via various OEM relationships and several more subscription-based applications.
Bob Venero, the CEO of Future Tech, a Holbrook, New York solution provider said the Intel AppUp Small Business Cloud Service, which Future Tech offers as the Future Tech Flex Cloud powered by the Intel Hybrid Cloud, gave his the ability to attack the growing SMB market, an area Future Tech didn't play in before.
"It makes it a much more viable solution for me to go after the SMB cloud," he said. "It's a great vehicle and great entry into that space."
Venero said he's brought aboard new staff, trained employees and has allocated a dedicated sales team to target SMB cloud plays via the Intel-based offerings.
Venero said the SMB cloud is tricky, because SMB and enterprise cycles differ greatly and SMB offerings typically take a great deal of legwork. Venero said the AppUp Cloud Service delivers a clean way to get into SMBs.
"It allows them to focus on doing their business on not on their IT," he said of his SMB clients.
And with Intel continuing to add software options and applications to the Intel AppUp Business Service Catalog, SMBs will have access to on-demand applications they could reach before.
"The value that you have with what Intel is bringing is they'll keep adding things to the catalog," he said.
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