CloudCommand’s Unbeatable Combination of Features, Usability & Affordability

Our CloudCommand platform delivers the first and only Wi-Fi solution specifically designed to meet the needs and budgets of SMBs and MSPs that support them.

The combination of enterprise-type features, remarkable usability and unprecedented affordability make CloudCommand the preferred networking platform for SMBs, schools, medical offices and hospitality businesses around the United States and world.

Our recent CloudCommand 2.0 release offers even more rich functionality and control.  Some highlights:

Configuration & Updating

• Self-Configuring Access Points. Self-configuring equipment deploys in minutes instead of hours or days. Simply plug the equipment into a live Ethernet connection with Internet access and in less than three minutes, it is ready for use.

• Group Configuration, Network-Wide Roaming. Seamlessly configure access points across multiple locations and empower connected users to roam easily with no need to reconfigure devices.

• Remote Reset and Reboot. Access points can be remotely reset and rebooted to solve basic connectivity problems with no need for on-site presence.

• Automatic FW Update with Group Updates and Scheduled Updates. All complications related to upgrading the firmware on your access points disappear: when an update is available, it can be pushed it to all access points at the click of a button.

Security

• Private Network with WPA2-PSK Encryption. A secure Wi-Fi connection enables trusted wireless devices to safely connect to your business Local Area Network (LAN).

• Enhanced Security with Individual Device Authentication. Patented, two-factor Individual Device Authentication (IDA) technology enables administrators to identify and secure each connected device individually via a self-service process leveraging email or text messaging. Know who is on the network and what their activity levels are.

• Site Survey & Rogue AP Detection. Learn what other Wi-Fi network are broadcasting near you and use the information to identify access points that may be connected to your network without being authorized before they become security threats. The same information can also be used to optimize your channel selection.

Management

• Remote Cloud Management. With cloud management, Wi-Fi networks across multiple locations can be monitored and administered in real time through the Internet.

• Real-Time Alerting. The system can provide real-time SMS or email alerts if critical elements of the system are disrupted.

• Auto RF Management with Auto TX Power and Auto Channel Selection. Simplified automated management of radio frequency parameters means no need for planning or manual configuration in simple environments.

• Networks Broadcasting Schedule (Weekly). Select on a daily and weekly basis when your Wi-Fi networks should broadcast, thereby limiting security exposure and unauthorized bandwidth usage.

• VLAN Tagging. Each SSID can be associated to a VLAN tag for VLAN partitioning. If VLAN tags are used across the Ethernet network, each SSID is independently connected only to the resources associated to the assigned VLAN.

• Extended Usage Reporting and Graphing (30 days). View upload and download bandwidth usage on your wireless network on a per-connected device and/or access-point basis for up to 30 days. You can use this tool to optimize the placement of your access points based on their actual usage.

[Next: Learn about CloudCommand 2.0's Hotspot features]

Coming to Market: ZyXEL Explains the Advantages of Cloud-Managed Wi-Fi

 In November, we announced our partner ZyXEL had begun shipping its first CloudCommand-powered product, the NWA1100N-CE.

Here’s an animated overview from ZyXEL highlighting the features, benefits and affordability that our CloudCommand platform delivers to SMBs:

Click to watch the video.

eWeek Covers the Debut of ZyXEL’s New CloudCommand-Powered Device

 eWeek & Nathan Eddy highlight the debut of ZyXEL’s NWA1100N-CE:

Zyxel Announces Cloud-Managed Access Points

The price for the platform is $159, and a one-year subscription for cloud-management service has a price of $129.

ZyXEL Communications, a provider of secure broadband networking, Internet connectivity and routing products, announced the availability of its cloud-enabled access point, NWA1100N-CE, and a promotion with PC Connection. Customers who purchase a three-year cloud-management service for $299 at PC Connection will receive the NWA1100N-CE at no additional cost.

The NWA1100N-CE offers the dual-management option of being controlled either via local user interface or remotely through cloud services. Zyxel also offers all NWA1100N-CE customers a free one-month trial of the cloud-management service.

The NWA1100N-CE leverages PowerCloud Systems’ CloudCommand technology. Designed to meet the needs of the small to medium-size business (SMB) market, CloudCommand delivers cloud capabilities to networking devices and provides the NWA1100N-CE with management functionality.

In addition, the solution offers recurring revenue opportunities for managed services providers (MSPs) that serve the SMB market. The NWA1100N-CE allows MSPs to administer multiple customers’ WiFi networks remotely and in real time. According to AMI Partners, SMBs will spend nearly $100 billion by 2014 on cloud computing and the cloud offers SMBs numerous benefits, including pooled resources for lower cost per user, on-demand access to services, the ability to centralize and simplify management, and constant access to resources.

The platform allows midmarket companies to create a single virtual wirelessnetwork across multiple locations, and employees can access a network at any location without changing client settings. Companies can enforce uniform access rules and policies for their business from a single point. The access point also allows businesses to remotely manage multiple networks in real time from anywhere via a browser-based dashboard, and administrators can perform all management activities remotely, upgrade all APs with a single click, and receive real-time alerts to emails and cell phones.

Learn how the cloud-managed NWA1100N-CE delivers affordable enterprise-level features to Wi-Fi.

Press Release: ZyXEL Launches the NWA1100N-CE Cloud-Managed Access Point

ZyXEL today announces the immediate availability of the newest CloudCommand-powered networking device to come to market, the NWA1100N-CE Access Point.

It’s a great milestone for PowerCloud Systems as yet another OEM leverages CloudCommand to deliver breakthrough networking solutions that combine business-grade networking features with unprecedented affordability.   ZyXEL focuses its business on SMBs and the MSPs that support them, and the NWA1100N-CE is designed to meet their specific needs and budgets.

ZyXEL Announces Availability of the NWA1100N-CE Cloud-Managed Access Point, Offers Free Device With Cloud-Management Service Purchase

Enterprise-Grade Wireless-N Access Point Enables Affordable Cloud-Management Option for SMBs, Plus Recurring Revenue Opportunities for Solution Providers

ANAHEIM, CA – Nov 01, 2011 – ZyXEL Communications Inc., a leading provider of secure broadband networking, Internet connectivity and routing products, today announced the availability of its cloud-enabled access point, NWA1100N-CE, and an exclusive promotion with PC Connection.

Customers who purchase a three-year cloud-management service for $299 at PC Connection will receive the NWA1100N-CE at no additional cost. The NWA1100N-CE is the first access point to offer the dual-management option of being controlled either via via local user interface or remotely through cloud services. ZyXEL also offers all NWA1100N-CE customers a free one-month trial of the cloud-management service.

“The NWA1100N-CE provides small and mid-sized businesses the perfect blend of business-class wireless hardware with the convenience of cloud-management capabilities,” said Steven Joe, executive vice president of channel business for Americas at ZyXEL.

According to AMI Partners, SMBs will spend nearly $100 billion by 2014 on cloud computing. The cloud offers SMBs numerous benefits, including: pooled resources for lower cost per user; on-demand access to services; the ability to centralize and simplify management; and constant access to resources. The NWA1100N-CE offers these cloud-management advantages at an attractive price point.

In addition, the solution offers recurring revenue opportunities for managed services providers (MSPs) that serve the SMB market. The NWA1100N-CE empowers MSPs to efficiently administer multiple customers’ Wi-Fi networks remotely and in real time, thereby improving their efficiency, while expanding their managed services to include Wi-Fi.

The NWA1100N-CE leverages PowerCloud Systems’ patented CloudCommand™ technology. Designed to meet the specific needs and budgets of the SMB market, CloudCommand delivers comprehensive cloud capabilities to networking devices and provides the NWA1100N-CE with enterprise-level features and management functionality — for a fraction of the cost of a traditional enterprise solution. ZyXEL’s cloud service offers businesses and MSPs several enhancements including the ability to:

• Create a single virtual wireless network across multiple different locations. Employees can access a network at any location without changing client setting. Companies can enforce uniform access rules and policies for their entire business from a single point.
• Deploy networks in minutes using automatic self-configuration features, and easily expand their wireless network as their business grows.
• Remotely manage multiple networks in real-time from anywhere via a browser-based, easy-to-read dashboard. Administrators can perform all management activities remotely, upgrade all APs with a single click and receive real-time alerts to emails and cell phones, simplifying operations for businesses and MSPs.
• Deliver enhanced network security and management with patented, two-factor Individual Device Authentication (IDA™) that empowers administrators to identify and secure connecting devices individually. With IDA, administrators can add or remove individual users from a network without disrupting network settings.

Read the Release.

Interview: ZyXEL Discusses Cloud Strategy and CloudCommand

Here’s a terrific video interview with our newest partner, ZyXEL.

At Interop 2011, Tri Nguyen, the manager of ZyXEL’s Business Networking Products, describes the company’s major push into cloud-managed networking and the benefits it delivers SMB customers.  Tri explains how our CloudCommand technology will help ZyXEL meet its aggressive goals.

Watch the video.

ZyXEL Debuts CloudEnabled Networking Platform

eWeek picked up the news about newest partner, ZyXEL, launching its CloudEnabled networking platform.  The platform is based on our CloudCommand technology.  ZyXEL possesses great energy and it has a clear vision how affordable cloud-based networking will benefit its SMB customers.  We share their excitement!

ZyXEL Communications, a provider of secure broadband networking, Internet connectivity and routing products, announced its first product, the NWA110N-CE, in a series of CloudEnabled WiFi solutions for small to medium-size businesses. The NWA1100N-CE has integrated business hardware features, including multi-operation modes, Power-over-Ethernet support and multiple SSIDs, with a cloud-based management user interface. Designed specifically for SMBs, the platform will be generally available this June…

The offering is powered by PowerCloud Systems’ patented CloudCommand technology. Rather than dilute enterprise-caliber, cloud-managed services for SMBs, PowerCloud Systems has designed its solutions from the ground up to meet SMBs’ needs. By integrating the NWA1100N-CE with CloudCommand, the product features several enhancements, including a single interface for user-friendly AP deployment and management and improved traffic management and security with VLAN tagging.

Read the article.

Article: Cure the Tech Hangover: 25 Hot New Products at Interop

CRN named ZyXEL’s new CloudEnabled Wi-Fi access point powered by CloudCommand one of “Hot 25 New Products at Interop.”

“ZyXel Communications will debut its cloud managed networking solution for SMBs, the NWA1100N-CE 802.11n AP. The NWA1100N-CE is powered by PowerCloud’s CloudCommand technology and integrates essential business hardware features such as multiple-operation modes, PoE support and multiple SSIDs with the convenience of cloud management at an attractive price point for SMBs along with recurring revenue opportunities for solution providers.”

Congratulations to the great team at ZyXEL!

See CRN’s List of 25 Hot New Products at Interop.

Article: PowerCloud and ZyXEL Team Up for Cloud-Managed Networking

Blogger Dave Courbanou of popular The VAR Guy site picked up our news earlier this week about our new strategic agreement with ZyXEL Communications and calls it a “good fit.”  The VAR Guy is the IT channel’s most popular blog.

Network equipment provider ZyXEL has formed a strategic agreement with PowerCloud for cloud-based networking solutions that are aimed at the service provider and SMB market. PowerCloud has been focused on cloud-software for OEMs, so the partnership seems like a good fit, especially for the SMB space. Read on for the details …

Under the new agreement, ZyXEL and PowerCloud will jointly develop the solutions, and the first joint ZyXEL-PowerCloud device will be an enterprise-grade wireless access point for SMBs integrated with PowerCloud’s CloudCommand technology. With PowerCloud onboard, the AP is designed to be easier to set, deploy and manage.

The whole point of the idea is to create an affordable “feature-rich” device that helps SMBs leverage cloud computing more easily, while also being best-in-class, according to the companies. It’s too soon for price points and new devices, but we’ll be keeping tabs on the relationship, especially since it touches so close to what our sister site covers, at TalkinCloud.com.

Read the article.

Announcing: PowerCloud Systems Announces Strategic Agreement with ZyXEL Communications to Bring Cloud-Managed Networking Solutions to SMBs

Today PowerCloud Systems announces its strategic agreement with ZyXEL Communications to jointly develop feature-rich and affordable networking solutions that enable SMBs to leverage the power of cloud computing.  We’re excited to partner with such a great company to deliver best-of-breed products that take advantage of our CloudCommand platform.

PowerCloud Systems Announces Strategic Agreement with ZyXEL to Bring Cloud-Managed Networking Solutions to Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

PALO ALTO, CA — PowerCloud™ Systems, creator of the world’s first cloud-based management platform for networking OEM companies, today announced an agreement with ZyXEL Communications, a leading provider of networking equipment for service providers and SMBs. Under this agreement, the companies will jointly develop feature-rich and affordable networking solutions that enable SMBs to leverage the power of cloud computing.

ZyXEL will initially integrate PowerCloud’s patented CloudCommand™ technology into its new line of enterprise-grade wireless access points for SMBs. The joint solution will deliver businesses, solution providers and managed service providers with best-in-class features, performance and price. The CloudCommand online platform makes networking equipment and resources dramatically easier to deploy, configure, secure and manage — all at a very low cost.

“We’re pleased to work with ZyXEL to deliver this innovative Wi-Fi networking solution and are excited that they chose CloudCommand,” said Jeff Abramowitz, president and CEO at PowerCloud Systems. “ZyXEL understands how the cloud will change the networking paradigm for SMBs. Their customer knowledge, strong roadmap and international capabilities all point to success for their CloudCommand-based solutions.”

Read the Release.