Linksys Expands Beyond Products to Bring Powerful Software Solutions to Small Businesses, Solutions Providers and Distributors
Dubai, UAE - April 20, 2008 - Linksys®, a Division of Cisco, the leading provider of VoIP, wireless and networking hardware for the consumer and small business environments, today entered into an agreement with IBM (NYSE: IBM) under which Linksys will incorporate IBM Tivoli Continuous Data Protection (CDP) for Files software into the Linksys by Cisco growing small business solutions product and services portfolio. The Linksys by Cisco Continuous Data Protection for Files (LBACDP) solution is designed to deliver automatic data back-up and restore functionality to small business organizations, letting them focus on their businesses rather than IT-related administrative tasks.
IBM Tivoli CDP for Files is an integrated recovery solution that is designed to provide data protection in case of corruption, user error, virus, or system failure. This software, which installs and configures in minutes, running invisibly in the background, is part of a suite of products from IBM designed to protect data and help maintain the integrity of IT environments.
"Regardless of the size of the business, data storage, protection and security is incredibly important and should not be overlooked," said Mohammad Hoda, Regional Manager, Linksys Middle East and Africa. "Identifying the ideal data storage plan for any organization is an arduous task. The Linksys solution helps to remove that guesswork with a tested and proven solution, backed by industry leading innovation from IBM, taking storage requirements off their plates so they can focus on their business."
The Linksys by Cisco solution is designed to automatically save files either instantaneously or at scheduled intervals set by the user, which relieves the burden of performing manual data back-ups and results in saved time, increased productivity and fewer storage challenges.
Since every version of a file is saved continuously, a company's data can be protected from viruses, file corruption, accidental deletion or even data loss threats caused by natural disasters or power failure. With just a few clicks of a mouse, users can restore files that have been corrupted or accidentally deleted, back to any point in time -- adding multiple layers of defense against data loss.
An industry study by the analyst firm The Diffusion Group surveyed more than 1,000 small business organizations about their data storage habits and revealed that nearly half of them conducted manual back-ups based solely on habit, while only 4 to 5 percent relied on a continuous data software application. This figure is surprising considering the growing number of small businesses serving corporate or healthcare entities that are required to strictly follow Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliances.
"We are expanding the market for IBM software products and technologies by making them key ingredients in a variety of products sold by other companies," said Daren Hanson, director of IBM OEM software sales. "More than ever, software has become the central nervous system for all kinds of consumer and business products. The Linksys CDP solution is an excellent example of how companies are finding new opportunities for tapping IBM's software portfolio, whether it is for IBM storage software, collaboration tools, middleware or speech recognition technology in global positioning systems, as a source of innovation through OEM agreements."
With the release of the Linksys-IBM Continuous Data Protection for Files software, Linksys has introduced a new brand look and feel for its growing line of small business products. Select retail customers, distributors, VARs and solutions providers can be assured that they are receiving the dedicated, purpose-built products they have come to expect from Linksys, which now includes new packaging and the new Linksys small business brand: Linksys by Cisco.
Main features:
- Quick and easy implementation into virtually any network storage setting
- Once back-up target is identified, it automatically runs back-ups and saves data to the specified target
- Available in three configurations for organizations with a workforce of 3, 15 or 25 users
- Once software is loaded and mapped to the appropriate NAS device, the user designates what files to be saved on a continuous or scheduled basis
- Can be used on mobile devices by creating local backup copies that are replicated to network storage when connected
Security Capabilities:
The CDP software suite has been developed with three levels of protection:
1- Continuous Protection: Provides a real-time data protection solution that instantaneously captures copies of files and sends them to a back-up target. This allows users to specify as many as three target backup/replication areas for high-priority files to capture every file saved to help protect against corruption, file loss or system loss.
2- Scheduled Protection: Files and email transmissions that are protected via scheduling are copied to the remote storage area on a regular schedule. If access to the storage is not available during the scheduled time, CDP software will maintain an internal copy and backup files once a network connection is established.
3- Vaulted Protection: Vaulted files and folders cannot be modified or deleted, so this option should be reserved for information that won't change or be deleted. These files are stored on NAS and not backed-up.
Pricing and Availability
The Linksys by Cisco Continuous Data Protection for Files software suite is available immediately through distribution, retailers, online resellers and Value Added Resellers (VARs). The estimated street price for the 3-users package (LBACDP03) is $143, 15-users package (LBACDP15) is $643 and 25-users package (LBACDP25) is $953.
The CDP software suite also complements the Linksys by Cisco Business Series of Network Storage Systems offering robust and competitive network attached storage (NAS) solutions for small businesses or workgroups in larger organizations.
The Linksys Edge
Linksys has elevated Business Series products to specifically appeal to small business owners, high growth industries or those organizations that merely want a robust solution that will continually perform. Linksys relies on channel and distribution partners to provide end-users with the solutions to help seamlessly integrate or create their own networking requirements.
The Linksys by Cisco Business Series of products, one component of the overall Cisco SMB offering, can provide an integrated approach to small business networking. Through training, support, and the largest product catalogue for networking, VoIP, storage and services, customers can find the solutions they require backed by the largest networking provider in the industry.
-Ends-
About Linksys
Founded in 1988, Linksys, a Division of Cisco Systems Inc., (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the recognized global leader in voice, Wireless and Ethernet networking for consumer, SOHO and small business users. Linksys is dedicated to making networking easy and affordable for its customers, offering innovative, award-winning products that seamlessly integrate with a variety of devices and applications. Linksys provides award-winning product support to its customers. For more information, visit www.linksys.com
About IBM
For more information about IBM Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files software, visit http://www-306.ibm.com/software/tivoli/products/. For more information about IBM's Software OEM Program, visit http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/info/partners/oem.html.
Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Other brands and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Copyright © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved...
Media Contacts
Mélodie Testelin, Linksys
Phone: +33 15804 3102
mtesteli@cisco.com
Rima Salman
Polaris Public Relations
Phone: +971 4 3415555
r.salman@polaris-me.com
Investor relations
Marisa Ross, Cisco
Phone: +1408 527-9830
mariross@cisco.com
Analyst Relations
Lisa Soto, Linksys
Phone: +1 949 823-4778
lisoto@cisco.com
© Press Release 2008
