GFI Software™’s new cloud delivery platform makes it easy for small and medium-sized businesses to adopt critical IT services
GFI Software today announced the availability of GFI Cloud, a ground-breaking platform for the delivery of cloud services via a Web-based user interface, accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection, at any time. GFI Cloud permits IT administrators within small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to manage their IT systems more easily and efficiently, freeing up time and resources so they can focus on higher value and more critical tasks.
Initially, GFI Cloud will include GFI VIPRE® Business Online™, for delivery of advanced antivirus and anti-malware protection, and GFI Network Server Monitor Online™, giving administrators the ability to monitor the health of their networks and optimize server and workstation configurations to improve performance. In the coming months, GFI LanGuard® technology will be added to the roster of services, helping IT security staff to automate software patching and vulnerability assessment via the same centralized Web portal. Additional services from the GFI Software product portfolio will be added in coming months as the company continues its investment in this revolutionary platform.
GFI Cloud gives SMBs with limited IT resources and budget easy access to GFI’s award-winning solutions via a cloud-based portal that, in 10 minutes or less, let’s them start to manage their whole IT network.
“With GFI Cloud we are integrating our on-premise security and infrastructure products in a unified cloud-based platform to enable IT administrators to manage their systems more easily and efficiently,” said Walter Scott, CEO of GFI Software. “Many businesses have been hesitant to migrate core applications to the cloud because they are unsure about moving away from proven solutions on which they have relied to date. The beauty of GFI Cloud is that it is based on GFI’s existing, tested and proven technology so users know they are getting a product in which they can have confidence from day one. GFI Cloud was built with simplicity in mind - these services can be up and running in 10 minutes or less so businesses with limited IT resources can easily and confidently deploy key security, asset tracking and network monitoring solutions in the shortest time possible.”
Simplifying IT Management with GFI Cloud
The simplicity of GFI Cloud begins with the one-time installation of an agent that links each machine to the management console via the Web. Once connected, IT administrators log into the easy-to-use GFI Cloud console to manage essential GFI Software services on all workstations and servers intuitively from a single unifying interface. Regardless of location, the lightweight agent connects each machine to the GFI Cloud over the Internet. This enables administrators to manage PCs and laptops used by mobile or home-based employees as easily as those that are within their own sites.
“Traditionally, SMBs, especially those with limited IT resources, have not had access to these kinds of advanced solutions for various reasons – time constraints of their IT staff, low budgets and so on,” continued Scott. “By offering these services through a web-based interface and yearly subscription model, we’re democratizing IT to a point where these businesses can gain the same level of network security and visibility as their enterprise counterparts.”
GFI Cloud also gives GFI’s channel partners another delivery model option to offer GFI’s award-winning technology solutions to their customers (see today’s related announcement “GFI® Software Makes it Easy for IT Resellers to Capitalize on the Demand for Cloud-Based Solutions”).
Research Data Shows Small Businesses Lack Confidence in Network Security
GFI also released the results of an independent blind survey today (see related announcement: “GFI®Survey Finds Majority of Small Businesses Not Confident in Network Security or Performance”) that indicates small businesses are uneasy about their network security and performance. More than half of the 200 small business IT administrators surveyed would not bet their own money that all of the machines and devices their business owns and employees use are free of malware (51%) or that all are operating at peak efficiency and will not fail (59%). The survey also found that nearly half (48%) of IT admins report that they do not have the capability to see which PCs or servers on their network are about to fail.
About GFI
GFI Software provides web and mail security, archiving and fax, networking and security software and hosted IT solutions for small to medium-sized businesses (SMB) via an extensive global partner community. GFI products are available either as on-premise solutions, in the cloud or as a hybrid of both delivery models. With award-winning technology, a competitive pricing strategy, and a strong focus on the unique requirements of SMBs, GFI satisfies the IT needs of these organizations on a global scale. The company has offices in the United States, UK, Austria, Australia, Malta, Hong Kong, Philippines and Romania, which together support hundreds of thousands of installations worldwide. GFI is a channel-focused company with thousands of partners throughout the world and is also a Microsoft Gold ISV Partner.