Netgear Adds Cloud Service To Storage Boxes

Netgear, which makes desktop video storage devices, rack-mounted storage and networking equipment but now aims to be a player in the cloud sector, on 14 October came out with three hybrid cloud storage service options for its business customers.

First, the company now is including up to 100GB of online archive capacity to go with the purchase of one of its rackmount ReadyNAS storage servers.

Secondly, its newest business-class ReadyNAS storage platforms now support a cloud file server option that enables a user to share files between local and offsite users. Thirdly, the company is now offering customisable portals designed to simplify service billing and management for channel partners.

Hybrid model

Egnyte’s Office Local Cloud service is the provider for the hybrid file sharing on all business-class ReadyNAS systems. Egnyte runs directly on the ReadyNAS; service plans start at $70 (£44) per month.

Most cloud storage services do not enable file sharing with onsite and/or outsourced locations. Netgear’s new hybrid models offer pay-on-demand and sharable cloud storage services while preserving the original data on site.

“These new cloud services get businesses of all sizes into hosted architectures,” said Mark Song, Product Line Manager for storage at Netgear. “The hybrid model enables IT departments to smooth budget cycles and improve service levels with minimal risk. Our channel partners can now deliver these managed services without needing their own investment in storage capacity or cloud infrastructure.”

Reluctance to commit

Many companies are interested in the cost savings associated with cloud computing but are still reluctant to commit their data to an online provider model, said Benjamin Woo, program vice president, worldwide storage systems research at IDC.

“Hybrid cloud service models are a novel approach to mixing the trust level of local storage with the benefits of cloud services, thus helping businesses take a low-risk, simple and cost-effective approach to IT,” Woo said.

ReadyNAS business-class systems offer up to 100GB of storage for 12 months, and the ReadyNAS Ultra family includes up to 2GB for 24 months. Pricing currently starts at $.40/GB.

The new portals for both ReadyNAS Vault and the Egnyte Office Local Cloud give partners a single web-based interface where they can maintain locations and monitor accounts. These new hybrid cloud services enable Netgear partners as managed service providers without private cloud investment.