Quantum Corp., which provides data protection and big data management, has announced a channel program for managed service providers (MSPs) and value added resellers (VARs), for distribution of a cloud backup service powered by Quantum’s virtual de-duplication appliances and vmPRO backup software.
Using an all-virtual, all-software approach and capacity-based subscription pricing, Quantum’s program allows MSPs and VARs to brand, market and sell cloud backup-as-a-service (BaaS) offerings that scale as the provider’s revenue grows, thereby reducing the need for large up-front capital expenditures on hardware.
Under the program, service providers can license virtual appliances from Quantum on a capacity basis and then offer their own branded cloud-based backup services to end users. By participating in the Quantum program, MSPs and VARs have access to all of the tools necessary to provide backup and disaster recovery services to their customers and quickly maximize their investment, including:
- Comprehensive free online sales and presales training;
- Customizable marketing resources such as customer-facing collateral, solution guides and technical content;
- Free access to Quantum software products for trial and demonstration purposes;
- Technical and support training
“We wanted to offer cloud backup services, but the startup costs were substantial,” si Scott Soenen, CTO at BlackBridge Networks. “Quantum’s program allowed us to add a new backup service while minimizing up-front investment. The support from Quantum has been great, and now our customers have a new option for managing data growth with flat budgets.”
Quantum’s best-in-class DXi-Series de-duplication is aimed at making cloud-based data protection more affordable for customers. De-duplication reduces backup capacity requirements by as much as 90 percent, the company said, requiring less bandwidth to get data to the cloud and less cloud storage capacity for that data, resulting in lower costs. De-duplication also accelerates the recovery process and makes cloud-based DR more cost-effective. With DXi de-duplication, users can keep a full copy of their data on premise, providing a more efficient day-to-day recovery process while keeping an off-site backup copy in the cloud that is ready when needed.
“With the perfect storm of the commoditization of server virtualization, the accessibility of cloud services and the recent innovations in data de-duplication, a solution like this is well timed,” said Jason Buffington, senior analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. “What previously held providers back has been security concerns within monolithic storage arrays and the heavy initial capital costs for starting this kind of service. Quantum is addressing both of those concerns through this new service pricing model and its virtual appliance offerings. MSPs and VARs that have been looking to launch cloud-based backup/DR services should be excited to see these kinds of solutions in the market, particularly when powered by such a recognizable data protection brand as Quantum.”
