'Net Features : enterprise apps

NetApp Brings AWS to the Enterprise

Michael Garrity — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:41:00 GMT

NetApp, the cloud storage provider, recently brought the power of Amazon Web Services (AWS) to its customers.

The company’s new solution, NetApp Private Storage for AWS, will use the AWS Direct Connect service to allow enterprise users to establish a dedicated network connection that links their existing infrastructure to AWS. This means they can now replicate data from their on-premises NetApp storage environments in a Direct Connect facility.

Enterprise companies will now be able to use NetApp with a variety of AWS services, including Amazon EMR for more cost-effective big data analysis, disaster recovery deployments with Amazon EC2 and disk backup through Amazon S3, in addition to being able to seamlessly move enterprise applications to the cloud and between AWS regions.

Right now, there is a fear on the part of some enterprise organizations when it comes to
moving workloads (especially larger ones) to AWS, but by going through NetApp, which has been serving enterprises for 20 years, these companies may feel more comfortable using Amazon’s service.

“Our work with NetApp provides customers with the performance, security, compliance, and availability benefits of AWS with the high value enterprise offerings customers have come to expect from NetApp,” says Terry Wise, the head of Worldwide Partner Ecosystems at AWS.

Currently, NetApp Private Storage for AWS is available to select resellers in North America, but it should be available in Europe and Asia sooner than later.

Think Inside the Box with Enterprise App System

Michael Garrity — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:00:00 GMT

It’s time for enterprise-level companies to starting thinking inside the Box. Specifically, the cloud services company of the same name, which has just released numerous enterprise-class applications that will use a Box.net cloud-based workspace and create a “virtual desktop” around it. This new app system is called Box OneCloud.

The idea is an attempt to position Box to be a major force in the post-PC world by establishing a cross-platform cloud system that lets users create and edit all of their files from within the cloud. OneCloud will be the first mobile framework built for enterprises that brings together mobile content and the applications designed to work with it.

The new solution comes in the form of four premiere apps for the iPad that are meant to represent best-in-class functionality and implement a round-trip connection to Box. When a file is edited or modified outside of the system, it can be saved back to Box in its original location.

These apps include the following features:

- QuickOffice allows users to edit Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents on-the-go, with any important changes that are made automatically saved back to the Box account.

- PDF Expert from Readdledocs is for adding annotations to documents by drawing, highlighting or making notes on the files, and then saving them back to Box where the changes can be viewed by the whole team.

- PaperPort Notes lets users record ideas and to-do items while they’re out and about with tools like voice dictation and recording, for when sitting down and typing is just not an option.

- Finally, Adobe’s popular EchoSign e-signature platform helps with signing crucial documents electronically with the greatest of ease, as they can be opened, signed and sent back all from an iPad.

All of these apps will be directly tied to an enterprise’s Box account, making files accessible to anyone within the organization. To find more compatible apps, users can open a file in Box and click the cloud logo on the top menu. A dropdown menu will appear and list all of the compatible apps installed on the device; it also features a button that will let users add compatible apps that aren’t currently installed.

White-Label App Stores from Digital River

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers are rethinking the way in which applications are deployed and distributed, and many of these independent software vendors (ISV's) are exploring new licensing models. The most popular of which of course is the enterprise app store and there are solutions already emerging to fill the need.

Cloud commerce provider Digital River this week introduced a white-label app store for enterprises using their Global Commerce solution. Software publishers will be able to sell their own apps, as well as third-party apps, to customers through their own branded app store. The platform includes online payment processing in multiple currencies and by handling entitlements, global distribution, and payouts, Digtal River is enabling their parters to capitalize on the near meteroic growth of enterprise apps.

With the rapid growth of the native app market, many enterprise software publishers have mistakenly believed that to compete, they’re required to relinquish their customer relationships for exposure in “walled garden” app stores. Joel Ronning, CEO of Digital River, disagrees. “Merchants have always sought ways to maintain direct relationships with their customers,” said Ronning.

"With the addition of global enterprise app stores to Digital River’s app ecosystem, we can offer the enterprise software market a lucrative alternative to the current model. Publishers who tap into one or more components of our app ecosystem can gain access to multiple ways to distribute, monetize and optimize apps themselves. This enables them to increase profitability upfront and over the long term, as they maintain direct relationships with shoppers.”