New Barracuda Storage Provides Data Protection Plus

Barracuda Networks, Inc, a leading provider of cloud-connected security and storage solutions, today announced its new Data Protection Plus strategic initiative, aimed at helping customers access, retain and share critical data from anywhere and any device. As part of this initiative, Barracuda is announcing several major enhancements and new releases across its portfolio of cloud-connected backup, archiving and productivity solutions, as well as the acquisition of C2C Systems, a leading provider of information management, email archiving and PST management solutions.

“Today’s modern workplace is more virtualized, cloud enabled and mobile. One of IT’s biggest challenges is to ensure business applications are up and running – promoting application availability, productivity and collaboration – often with limited time and resources,” said Rod Mathews, GM Storage at Barracuda. “Protecting the modern workplace demands a new way of thinking. Data Protection Plus enables and accelerates the use of virtualization, cloud and mobile technologies, and represents the latest innovation across our storage product line. Barracuda continues to make it easy for our customers to access, retain and share their critical information.”

 “With the growth in cloud and virtualization, data is more accessible than ever before,” said Dave Simpson, senior storage analyst, 451 Research. “IT organizations require solution flexibility to not only protect that data, but also provide fast recovery and availability options to workers everywhere. Barracuda's approach to delivering multiple options across the storage portfolio gives customers that flexibility."

 Leveraging their investment in Barracuda, customers can simplify their IT infrastructure and centrally manage solutions across the Barracuda portfolio – regardless of the size or type of deployment – through integrated, easy-to-use web interfaces that support configuration, monitoring and reporting. New functionality available as part of the Data Protection Plus initiative is included at no additional cost to customers with current Energize Updates subscriptions. Details on the individual product updates, general availability and pricing will be released in the coming weeks. Highlights include:

Protection Plus Availability – Barracuda Backup

Barracuda Backup version 6.0 extends the flexibility for organizations deploying in cloud-connected or private “dark” environments. The new version includes a number of updates such as local control to enable operation and management in private “dark” environments without sending data to the cloud, faster recovery times with granular recovery of Microsoft Hyper-V virtual machines without the need to restore the VM, and support for Microsoft SQL Server 2014.  

Protection Plus Accessibility – Barracuda Message Archiver

Barracuda Message Archiver version 4.0 extends archiving capacity by allowing Barracuda Message Archiver to move or copy data to the Barracuda Cloud. The new cloud archiving gives users access to email from any device, regardless if email services are available, extending capacity and offsite disaster recovery. Barracuda Message Archiver version 4.0 also allows customers to connect appliances for capacity expansion and federated search to scale and grow with their businesses, without over-committing resources. Barracuda Message Archiver is available as a virtual appliance for customers looking to deploy archives without additional hardware. 

Protection Plus Information Management – Acquisition of C2C Systems

Barracuda’s acquisition of C2C Systems allows the company to offer customers a more complete information management and archiving product portfolio to simplify IT and control storage costs. The companies’ shared philosophy around simplicity and customer experience provides customers with extended value across the expanded archiving portfolio, which now includes file and message archiving, eDiscovery, and PST management solutions. This addition enables Barracuda to help eliminate risks associated with distributed PST files, reduce eDiscovery overhead via information management and early investigation, and support information management and governance initiatives via extended retention management policies.

Protection Plus Mobility – Barracuda Copy

The new Barracuda Copy Site Server is an on-premises device that enables onsite and cloud-based file sync and share to optimize access, performance and security. The solution works with corporate authentication services, including LDAP, for centralized, seamless access control, and offers support for existing file shares with the ability to act as a local network drive.

 Protection Plus Productivity – Barracuda SignNow

The new Barracuda SignNow Appliance is an on-premises device that allows organizations to share, sign and collaborate in a secure environment. Organizations now can deploy a robust eSignature solution on-premises – in hardware or virtual form factors – for greater control over critical business documents. 

 “Barracuda’s approach to the cloud not only helps ensure our data is protected from a disaster, but also provides excellent accessibility to our workforce,” said Shawn Evans, IT Manager at SaulsCare, a Barracuda Message Archiver customer and healthcare organization based in Southwest Florida.

MS & SAP Partnership Will Improve Cloud, Data Interoperability

 Microsoft and SAP have started delivering their global partnership in India, making Microsoft Azure available for SAP applications.  The partnership will allow Indian enterprises to leverage the flexibility and scalability of Microsoft Azure for their mission critical SAP deployments. Microsoft Azure is an open and flexible cloud platform that enables users to quickly build, deploy and manage applications across a global network of Microsoft-managed datacenters. The partnership is expected to deliver 200-300 percent efficiency increase in IT infrastructure deployment and savings of 40-75% on total ownership costs with Azure’s “pay per use” model.

 As per a recent study by the consulting firm Zinnov, 30 per cent of IT spend in India is aimed at transformational projects, specifically in the areas of mobility, cloud and big data. Microsoft and SAP are extending their long-term partnership in three critical areas: enterprise cloud computing, with business-critical SAP applications certification for Microsoft Azure; improved interoperability between data from SAP applications and Microsoft Office, including general availability of connectivity between SAP BusinessObjects™ business intelligence (BI) solutions and Microsoft’s Excel offering; and mobile productivity with expanded development and support for Windows and Windows Phone 8.1.

 The SAP applications certification for Microsoft Azure allows customers with existing SAP licenses to deploy SAP software on Microsoft Azure, thus safeguarding and increasing the value of their Microsoft and SAP investments. 

 “Along with SAP, we will deliver the best applications and services to customers on the cloud. This will help improve employee productivity, enhance workforce mobility and drive increased business value”, said Peter Gartenberg, General Manager – Enterprise and Partner Group, Microsoft India. 

 Deb Deep Sengupta, Chief Operating Office, SAP India said, “SAP and Microsoft are among the most trusted vendors for Indian enterprises. With this partnership we are enabling SAP customers to extend their on premise ERP deployment across cloud and mobile.”

Sujit Mohanty, Head – Technology Infrastructure Group, Sonata said, “We are thrilled to be selected as an early partner by Microsoft and SAP to take these unique solutions to market. Our proven track-record in mobility, BI and analytics coupled with our commitment to invest and innovate continuously across different segments of Microsoft’s business will help us deliver value to customers across industries and cloud configurations.”

SAP applications on Microsoft Azure 

The partnership supports SAP Business Suite software, SAP Business All-In-One solutions, SAP Mobile Platform, SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (SAP ASE) and the developer edition of the SAP HANA platform on Azure. In addition, Microsoft and SAP expect that customers and developers will be able to deploy and provision a number of preconfigured SAP solutions, within minutes, directly to Azure using the SAP Cloud Appliance Library tool. 

SAP HANA is the modern platform that empowers customers to transform their businesses and innovate in the cloud. This includes new innovations, key features and functionalities, mobile, analytics, data services and cloud integration services delivered through open user interfaces.

 Compared to traditional on-premises deployment, SAP applications on Azure will additionally provide savings up to 60% on storage, with fast recovery capabilities and easy transition from existing data centers to cloud at no extra cost. 

Increased mobile collaboration

Microsoft and SAP will also help customers conduct business anywhere and anytime by developing and co-marketing SAP mobile apps for Windows and Windows Phone 8.1. These new applications will be managed and secured by the SAP Mobile Secure portfolio or Windows Intune. 

 Microsoft is committed to helping customers thrive in this mobile-first, cloud-first world, with industry leading platforms that support the software, services and applications required to run their business.  The partnership with SAP is another exciting step on that journey with a vision to connect the universe of SAP data to Microsoft’s mobile first, cloud first world, so that customers can do more. This announcement brings exciting new capabilities to customers and opportunities for partners and developers through the combined strengths of Microsoft and SAP applications and platforms.

Cisco’s CDLF Focuses On Value Of Multi-Dimensional Leadership

 The seventh edition of the annual industry event celebrates diversity at workplace by encouraging men to advocate real change and inclusivity

Cisco hosted Cisco Diverse Leadership Forum (CDLF) 2014, at its Globalisation Centre East campus in Bangalore. An initiative of Cisco Connected Women (CCW), an Employee Resource Group, this event celebrates diversity at workplace in its varied forms. The key theme for this year’s edition was ‘Multi-dimensional Leadership’.

The business environment today is more dynamic than it has ever been, and the workforce has never been as diverse, and for any organization to do well in this scenario, it is pertinent for it to realize the value that this multifaceted workforce brings and more importantly to tap the synergies they bring. We are living in the knowledge era where idea is the currency and Ideas can come from anyone within the organisation irrespective of their gender, race, age, role etc. This is where the aspect of multi-dimensional leadership comes to the fore, and how well the organisations of the future will do, will be determined by how well these diverse groups are nurtured at the workplace.

 In order to tap the energies and to take full advantage of synergies shared by employees who share similarities, Cisco encourages them to interact with each other through affinity groups or ‘Employee Resource Groups’ (ERGs) where members leverage each other’s unique skills to move forward together. Some of these groups include Cisco Connected Women (CCW), Connected Disabilities Awareness Network (CDAN) for differently - abled employees and Early Career Network (ECN) for the Gen Y employees.

Cisco Men for Inclusion is one such initiative modeled on Men Advocating Real Change’ (MARC), an industry initiative and an online community to help men further the cause of diversity at workplace. It is also a resource centre and showcase for members to share advice and insights to inspire men to further the agenda of gender equality at work.

 The event featured a panel discussion titled ‘Multi-dimensional Leadership - Changing the Mindset’ which had panelists from various walks of life discussing the benefits that a multi-faceted leadership can bring to an organization. The panel comprised of Jayshree Gururaj – Director, Advanced Services, Cisco Systems, Dr Mamatha Gowda – Joint Director, Government of Karnataka, Gururaj Rao – IBM Fellow and Vice President, IBM, and  Amit Phadnis – Vice President, Enterprise Networking Group, Cisco Systems.

 The forum was attended by 800 professionals and the speakers included a cross section of men and women from within the technology industry, as well as achievers from various walks of life. The event had technical demos from Goldman Sachs, Intel EMC² and Cisco among others, and stalls by NGOs including Srishti and Samathanam.

Inclusion and Diversity are an integral part of Cisco’s DNA because a diverse workforce with unique life experiences, education, cultures and talents bring a unique perspective which leads to a workplace that is creative, innovative, and collaborative. These are also the same elements that bring in a culture of innovation and growth, which eventually drive business strategy.

Amit Phadnis – India Site Leader & President, Enterprise Networking Group, Cisco Systems says, “Inclusion and Diversity are a key focus area for us at Cisco because we believe that a diverse workforce can play a pivotal role in fuelling innovation, one of the key factors that has helped us stay current and competitive. This year’s theme of Multidimensional Leadership is a celebration of diversity – be it gender based, multigenerational, diversity of thought & culture, diversity of differently-abled which can be leveraged to bring varied aspects, ideas, and positive influences of all kinds in the society and in an organization. CDLF has been one of our flagship events for I&D for seven years now, and the response we have garnered for it has improved with each passing year and are certain that it will continue to get even better in the years to come.”

 “While I&D is a vast subject and has multiple hues, we do realize the importance of, and the need for increased participation from women, especially in the technology sector. Men Advocating Real Change (MARC) is one such community that encourages men and helps them with resources to further the cause of diversity at workplace, and we are glad to have initiatives at Cisco that align with MARC. We are certain that this initiative will further the cause of women in technology and will inspire the industry to follow suit.” 

EMMA Expo India Takes Off From Sept 11-13, 2014

 EMMA Expo India 2014 presents India with a fresh platform for electronics, machinery & moulds, auto & motorcycle parts & accessories,and trendy products from Taiwan to match the Indian market.

This 8th edition is organized by Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (TEEMA), Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) and Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturer’s Association (TTVMA). EMMA ExpoIndia is also aligned with India Manufacturing Show (IMS) to host two exhibitions in the same time! 

 This Pre-Show Press Conference started with remarks by Ms.Hsiu Chu Chan (Kris), Senior Manager of Taiwan Trade Exhibition Department, and Mr. Yajanarayana Kammaje, Chairman of IMS Foundation, to highlight the scope of EMMA Expo India 2014.

 EMMA Expo India 2014 provides the domestic market with an unprecedented opportunity to view more than 200 exhibitors under a same roof. It presents the latest and most innovative products from Taiwan, India and Singapore! EMMA Expo India is the largest and Taiwan’s exclusive professional exhibition in India. Last year’s show hosted 250 trade meetings (with other events) generated US$$12.4 million. This coming show is expected to draw more than 7,000 visitors and generate more than US$$24 million in business.

 Many of the world's best companies are exhibiting at this event.They include Hu Lane Associate Inc. (famous automotive connectors and terminal manufacturing), Tongtai Machine & Tool Co.,Ltd (renowned provider of equipment, instruments and tools), CoreTech System Co., Ltd. (provider of the Moldex injection molding series with the best yet molding simulation solutions), CUB Elecparts Inc. (core manufacturer of Electrical & Electronic Auto Parts), Litemax Electronics Inc. (innovative VHB very high brightness LCD products with mass-production capability), Rhymebus Corp. (frequency inverter manufacturer), Karma Medical Products Co., Ltd. (customized maker of wheelchairs, standing chairs, general purpose chairs and maker of scores of mobility aid devices)with many moresuppliers and products!

 EMMA Stage Shows share more industrial insights with you!

First time ever, the EMMA Stage Shows from Sept 11^_13 showcasing exclusive products fromcompanies such as CUB ElecpartsInc, Karmal Medical, TogntaiMchinine& Tool, Moldex3D, Wen’s Phoenix Corporation, Luckyear Microelectronics Crop and Hu Lane Associate Inc. Theywill demonstrate their most renovated products in Live! Moreover, 2 seminars hosted by FICCI(Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and ELCINA(Electronic Industries Association of India) will give audiences a fresh scoop on the latest incentives on investment in India. 

 Check out EMMA Expo India’s three special pavilions!

The Taiwan Excellence Pavilion spotlightsexcellence in innovation by joining47-plus makers of winning products of the Taiwan Excellence Awards that include Acer, HTC,ADATA, D-Link and other prime brands to share “Excellent Lifestyle” dreams with Indian consumers.

 The Taiwantrade Pavilion helps you to track dream products in Taiwan! Taiwan trade is also Taiwan’s official multi-faceted trade portal that turns on marketing, trade matching, search engine, value-added data and customized sourcing.

 All this is topped off by the Taiwan Higher Education Exposition that joins nine leading educational institutions including Academia Sinica, the Taiwan Education Center India, National Tsing Hua University, Kaohsiung Medical University and several others.

 EMMA Expo India unfolds at BIEC Hall 2 from Sept. 11 to 12 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sept 13 from 10 AM to 4PM. Free Admission for business professionals.