Digital print solutions specialist Xerox released a suite of cloud services aimed at small to medium-size businesses (SMBs), including Xerox Cloud IaaS for Midrange and Intel systems and a cloud backup and data recovery service. The services will be sold through Xerox’s value-added resellers (VARs). The services also manage workload demand and are priced to serve SMBs that have annual revenue of $10 million to $250 million.
Xerox is offering secure cloud services via five global data centers that house multi-tenant technologies and virtualized LANs, with the infrastructure as as servce (IaaS) ready to use with an on-demand “click-and-pick” provisioning process. IaaS helps ensure complete tracking, auditing and reporting capabilities.
“Cloud technology is often presented as a complex, ‘big company’ infrastructure solution. But, in fact, managing IT operations in the ‘cloud’ is just as relevant and affordable for smaller companies and can be even more impactful,” said Ken Stephens, senior vice president of Xerox cloud services. “Expanding Xerox’s IaaS and Backup and Recovery services to SMBs is the next step toward offering a full suite of business cloud services that SMBs can access on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ model.”
The cloud backup and data recovery services are designed to provide the recovery of data, applications and operating systems—Xerox said everything on the server can be restored in less than 24 hours. The offering also includes an affordable approach for enterprises and SMBs needing remote backup and disaster recovery at a monthly, utility-based price, with no long-term contracts required. The Business Cloud infrastructure used for corporate enterprises also is available for SMBs, and data backup is replicated, secured, encrypted and conducted daily.
“Xerox extending its sales efforts to SMBs through VARs is a smart move, especially in the growing cloud space,” said Ben Trowbridge, CEO at Alsbridge, a global advisory firm. “It’s a logical extension of their longstanding enterprise services, with more opportunities to sell additional Xerox products and services relevant to SMBs.”
Stephens added that no matter the size, scope or location of a company, there’s a common denominator: how to manage costs and risks. “Xerox delivers a utility model approach, intense security controls, systems and data redundancy, even a customized company-wide disaster recovery plan,” he said.