AVG Finds New Partner for CloudCare

Many know AVG Technologies for its well-regarded and free anti-virus anti-malware tools. Tools like these are currently shrinking the market for packaged end-user security solutions, as consumers use the free tools. And more enterprises are having security handled through the cloud.

AVG is fortunate enough to play in both these spaces, with 150 million users to prove it.

On the cloud side, AVG has CloudCare, a solution aimed largely at managed service providers (MSP).

AVG’s newest partner is Infrascale Inc., a 12-year-old outfit that sells cloud-based file collaboration and backup tools to end users and SMBs, as well as service providers. The backup tool, SOS, was also the company’s previous name.

While AVG boasts almost 150 million individuals protected, Infrascale points to 100,000 businesses whose data it safeguards.

One goal of the partnership is to offer all the AVG customers – SMBs in particular – a trusted backup solution. Another end is boosting the use of CloudCare, something Infrascale is charged with doing.

AVG says it chooses it partners wisely, and Infrascale made the cut. "Today's announcement represents the culmination of many months' careful assessment of the market to find the right associate for the long-term development of data protection services," noted AVG’s Mike Foreman, General Manager, SMB. "In selecting Infrascale we believe we have found a partner whose established industry profile and credentials within the small business channel are an ideal fit to help broaden our range of data protection and security services in this space." Besides security, AVG also offers identity protection, content filtering, and performance optimization for PCs.

AVG and MSPs

CloudCare, introduced last year, is the main tool AVG pitches to MSPs, and even has a special portal to serve that channel. CloudCare helps MSP partners by providing administration of customer sites through the cloud. Like some of its consumer software, MSPs can use CloudCare for free – at least for now.

The tool includes custom reports, alerts, single click product deactivation or installation, and automatic upgrades.

Just as interesting, AVG hired Luke Walling, one of its partners, himself an MSP, to run the MSP channel business.