BANGALORE, INDIA: Interwork Technologies, a provider in value-added distributor (VAD) of managed security solutions, and CTERA Networks, a provider in small business storage and data protection, on Tuesday announced the introduction of all-in-one solution for file sharing and secure offsite backup, delivered as part of a Security as a Service (SaaS) suite called S-Sphere.

An integrated suite of managed security services for channel partners, S-Sphere features products from five industry leading vendors, including CTERA, designed specifically for small and midsized business (SMB) resellers and solution providers, said a press release.

Existing solutions for data storage and backup, such as servers and backup tape drives, are expensive, unreliable and error-prone, and can create immense challenges for SMBs and home offices. Coupled with lack of an IT staff, the backup procedures are often sporadic at best, creating the need for a cost-effective, all-in-one solution for file sharing and secure offsite backup. The popularity and effectiveness of SaaS can help solution providers and their clients effectively tackle storage—and data-related challenges, and the S-Sphere suite featuring CTERA can greatly help SMBs overcome obstacles and realize significant business benefits.

“CTERA solutions are an excellent way for our resellers to provide reliable, flexible storage bundled as an easy-to-use, remotely managed storage service,” said Tim Larocque, director of business development and marketing for Interwork.

He added, “Resellers can use CTERA solutions to meet their clients’ storage and data protection needs with the company’s unique, affordable offerings.”

Available through Interwork, the CTERA CloudPlug and CTERA C200, combine network attached storage (NAS) with fast, automated and secure online backup.

Users can access files and schedule backups from anywhere via web-based interface, and eliminate the need for costly tape backup and offsite storage. The solution provides shared storage, online backup and folder synchronization in a single device, and helps simplify storage processes and increase efficiency, enabling users to focus on running their business, said the release.

With CTERA’s management portal, centralized storage management and service provisioning is now a reality for resellers and their clients. Channel partners can use SaaS to bundle CTERA solutions with other monthly or managed IT services, and the CTERA solutions are ideal for value-added resellers, managed service providers (MSP) and Internet storage providers (ISP). They are also an excellent source of monthly recurring revenue, and S-Sphere allows resellers to provide CTERA solutions through their own branded, white-label portal.

Liran Eshel, CEO of CTERA Networks said that they welcome the opportunity to show channel partners how easy it is to use the CTERA Portal to manage tens to tens-of-thousands of subscribers and control all aspects of Cloud Attached Storage, including provisioning, status monitoring and reporting, among other areas.