Computerlinks: Alvea Cloud Attached Storage

COMPUTERLINKS UK, distributor of IT security and Internet technology solutions, announced its ALVEA Cloud Attached Storage service.

The service has been developed to address the needs of small to medium-sized businesses to protect against the loss of business data by implementing a centralised storage and secure off-site data protection and recovery infrastructure. ALVEA Cloud Attached Storage will be available exclusively through COMPUTERLINKS’ channel partners, initially in the UK and Ireland but then in all countries that COMPUTERLINKS operates.

The ALVEA Cloud Attached Storage service combines Network Attached Storage (NAS) appliances with cloud services to provide an integrated solution for shared storage, data protection and collaboration avoiding the need for separate, more expensive solutions that are often difficult to manage. The on-site device provides a local copy of data for fast recovery and a cloud-based off-site copy for full disaster recovery.

Unlike other cloud-based storage solutions, the ALVEA Cloud Attached Storage service not only acts as a storage device, but also backs up data and allows businesses to quickly recover individual files or even re-build entire workstations and servers.

As with all its ALVEA services COMPUTERLINKS will provide channel partners with a package including training, telephone support, legal documentation and marketing collateral so that resellers do not have to incur any up-front investment themselves. All of the above is backed by the on-going support of the ALVEA sales and technical teams.

The ALVEA Cloud Attached Storage service complements COMPUTERLINKS’ ALVEA Managed Secure Backup, which was launched in October 2010, by providing a cost-effective hybrid cloud alternative for small and medium-sized businesses looking to address their on-premise storage needs as well as their business continuity and collaboration requirements.

David Ellis, director of new technologies and services at COMPUTERLINKS commented: "In-house IT support is often in short supply in smaller businesses but their data is no less critical than for larger enterprises. Adopting a cloud-based solution for storage, backup and recovery is a faster and significantly cheaper option and gives the channel real opportunities for building additional service margins."

The ALVEA Cloud Attached Storage service uses technology from cloud storage specialist CTERA Networkswww.ctera.com.

Liran Eshel, CEO of CTERA Networks said: "The new partnership with COMPUTERLINKS provides our channel partners with a fast and easy way to enter the cloud services market. Our products match and exceed the features of existing enterprise-level data protection solutions, while remaining easy to deploy and use, and providing outstanding value."

The announcement follows COMPUTERLINKS UK’s remodelling of its business last year to deliver margin-rich services to its channel partners around new and emerging technologies such as virtualisation, cloud computing and IP-based physical security. The company will be presenting details of the suite of ALVEA Services including ALVEA Infrastructure, Managed Firewall, Managed Secure Backup and Managed Content & Application Delivery Services to its channel partners at a special event Capitalise on Cloud to be held in London on 4th March 2011.