Great Partners: ZyXEL Empowers MSPs with NaaS Wi-Fi Solutions

Showcasing Our Partners: ZyXEL is a leading provider of broadband access solutions with a focus on high-performance, carrier-grade networking solutions.  It works closely with MSPs and leverages our CloudCommand platform to provide revenue-generating Wi-Fi solutions to IT solution experts who serve the SMB market.

ZyXEL has a cloud-managed networking product line called CloudEnabled™ and its flagship product, the NWA1100N-CE Access Point, takes advantage of our technology to deliver enterprise-grade Wi-Fi at unbeatable prices.

The NWA1100N-CE is ideal for MSPs seeking to expand their services business into wireless.  It offers:

• All-in-one Wi-Fi solution for any environment requiring robust, secure connectivity for 1 to 300 users.
• Real-time cloud management for third-party administration from anywhere.
• Strong opportunities for MSPs to develop a Networking-as-a-Service (NaaS) line of business and create recurring revenue streams.

Learn more:

ZyXEL’s CloudCommand website

NWA1100N-CE datasheet 

Buy the NWA1100N-CE

 

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: 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.

Press Release: PowerCloud Secures $6 Million in Series B Funding Led by Qualcomm

 We’re pleased to announce our Series B funding with new lead investor Qualcomm (QCOM) through its investment arm, Qualcomm Ventures.  All existing investors participated as well.

Qualcomm, the world leader in next-generation mobile technologies, has built its reputation by repeatedly identifying and investing in next-generation technologies poised to transform the mobile industry.

Today’s announcement validates that Networking as a Service (NaaS) is poised to transform the networking sector and that PowerCloud is a market leader in the space.

PowerCloud Systems Secures $6 Million in
Series B Funding Led by Qualcomm

Funding Fuels Growth of Networking as a Service (NaaS) Platform
for OEMs and Service Providers

Palo Alto, Calif., December 14, 2011 – PowerCloud™ Systems, the leading software platform provider for enabling Networking as a Service (NaaS), today announces $6 million in Series B financing. The round was led by Qualcomm via its venture investment arm, Qualcomm Ventures.  PowerCloud Systems’ existing investors – Walden Venture Capital, Javelin Venture Partners and PARC – all participated in the round.

Key Facts

• PowerCloud Systems will use the funds to enhance the capabilities of its patented CloudCommand™ online software platform and to expand the company’s sales efforts worldwide.
• The CloudCommand platform enables networking OEMs and service providers to integrate cloud capabilities with their networking equipment and to deliver NaaS-based solutions for SMBs.
• Qualcomm Ventures focuses on early-stage technology companies with disruptive technologies that can transform the global wireless ecosystem.  PowerCloud Systems is enabling an industry shift to NaaS by applying cloud technologies to wireless and wired networking infrastructure.
• PowerCloud Systems is the industry’s leading NaaS platform provider, and in 2011 it delivered CloudCommand solutions to products developed by D-Link, ZyXEL, Ubiquiti Networks, Amer Networks and Arada Systems while additionally securing technology partnerships with Qualcomm Atheros and others.
• Powerfully Simple Networking™ solutions powered by CloudCommand are customized by each partner and deliver compelling features such as multi-customer remote administration, hardware self-configuration, multi-location coverage, customizable hotspot functionality, enhanced device security, real-time monitoring and performance reporting.
• PowerCloud Systems is a spin-out from PARC, a premier center for innovation, and the technology underpinning the CloudCommand platform is supported by intellectual property developed at PARC, including 10 patents in areas ranging from cloud-virtualized network controllers to usable security.
• CloudCommand’s initial implementations support Wi-Fi networking, and in 2012 the company will expand into additional networking categories while continuing to develop innovative cloud features.

Comments

Quinn Li, Senior Director of Qualcomm Ventures

“Qualcomm Ventures is focused on funding transformative business opportunities,” said Quinn Li, senior director of Qualcomm Ventures.  “PowerCloud’s technology platform enables powerfully simple networking-as-a-service solutions that can redefine the small-business networking market. PowerCloud’s innovative business model is compelling for both vendor and channel partners, and we’re excited to help propel its growth.”

Jeff Abramowitz, Founder and CEO of PowerCloud Systems

“PowerCloud is extremely pleased to add Qualcomm Ventures to our board,” said Jeff Abramowitz, president and CEO of PowerCloud Systems.  “Qualcomm has a tremendous track record in boosting the business growth of companies with broad enabling technologies.  We have a backlog of opportunities, and we are now poised to accelerate our market leadership.”

Read the Press Release.

Article: SmallCloudBuilder Catches Up with PowerCloud News

Veteran industry writer Tim Higgins returned from a weeklong vacation in Paris and wrote a catch-up article that includes not one, not two, but three different PowerCloud Systems stories.  Whew!  That makes us appreciate how fast things are moving here HQ.  We’re firing on all cylinders.

PowerCloud Systems announced a cloud-based platform for deploying and managing custom Wi-Fi hotspot solutions.

CloudCommand Hotspot Edition is the first cloud-based platform specifically designed to rapidly deploy and manage custom Wi-Fi hotspot solutions. This new offering dramatically reduces the cost and complexity of providing Wi-Fi guest access for a wide range of businesses, enabling them to meet the surging Wi-Fi demand of mobile users.

D-Link announced two more cloud-managed wireless products powered by PowerCloud Systems’ CloudCommand at the Las Vegas Interop show this week.

The D-Link DAP-3525 AirPremier N Dual Band Exterior PoE Access Point powered by CloudCommand, D-Link Insight, and D-Link DIR-605 Fuzion Broadband Aggregation Router leverage Cloud-based automation for remote configuration and monitoring, resiliency, load balancing, and security management that can be outsourced or handled internally, allowing businesses with limited IT resources and budgets to improve the uptime and cost-effectiveness of their networks.

PowerCloud Systems got two new design wins with ZyXEL‘s announcement of its NWA1100N-CE access point and Amer Networks’ announcement of its WAP223NC Access Point for the education market.

ZyXEL Communications today announced its first product, the NWA110N-CE, in a series of CloudEnabled(TM) Wi-Fi solutions for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). ZyXEL’S NWA1100N-CE has integrated business hardware features, including multi-operation modes, Power-over-Ethernet support and multiple SSIDs, with a convenient cloud-based management user interface.

Amer Networks today announces the launch of the first cloud-managed Wi-Fi solution designed specifically to meet the connectivity, budgetary, and ease-of-use needs of the education market. Amer’s Wi-Fi solution, the WAP223NC Access Point and Managed Software, empowers school districts and individual campuses to quickly deploy and easily manage robust 802.11n wireless environments that provide enterprise-class functionality but cost only a fraction of traditional enterprise solutions.

Read the Article.