Comcast Business Services has released its Upware marketplace, which is a suite of cloud-based business solutions that can be purchased through one integrated web portal. The Upware marketplace contains a list of third-party, cloud-based business applications from industry-leading companies in key categories such as data backup, data security, and collaboration.
(Source data at right courtesy of Analysys Mason).
With Upware, Comcast has chosen a select group of vendors that meet a strict set of security, redundancy and customer service requirements and can provide both the best performance as well as ease of use for businesses. Organized on the online portal in “aisles” by technology, the vendors include:
· Data Backup – Carbonite (data backup), DigitalSafe (data backup), and Mozy (online backup).
· Data Security – Norton (security) and Websense (security).
· Collaboration – Box (online storage), Microsoft (Web collaboration), Soonr (online file sharing), and YouSendIt (document collaboration).
Upware was designed by Comcast to meet the needs of SMBs looking to use cloud-based solutions to simplify their IT systems, control costs and increase productivity. Upware, which is available now at business.comcast.com/Upware, gives business owners a single, trusted source to meet some of their most critical technology needs, helping them to be more productive and improve their business.
According to Steve Hilton, Principal Analyst, Analysys Mason, Upware is being introduced at a time where the cloud is currently upticking and expecting to push the needle further in the coming years. Per his firm’s research, SMB public cloud services revenue in North America will grow from $2.8 billion to $5 billion from 2012-2017.
Hilton says that Upware is a solid move for Comcast, as well as SMBs and channel partners alike. “Comcast continues to be bullish with its SMB offerings,” he says. “To its core communications offerings – broadband, voice, video – it has added various UC, Ethernet, PRI trunking, hosting and cloud services. It’s a robust solution portfolio for SMBs to purchase and partners to sell.”
When using the Upware marketplace, business customers can purchase and use cloud services, as well as order other Comcast Business services including Business VoiceEdge, Website Hosting and Signature Support, a program for on-site tech support. It also enables customers to pick and choose one or many of the offerings, based on their unique technology and business needs.
In addition, business owners can quickly add or remove employees from the system as their business needs change. Plus, users have the simplicity of one number to call for support, management and troubleshooting for everything associated with their Comcast Business Class Internet service including the Upware marketplace and the software applications themselves.
