Channel partner programs, Business continuity, IT management, MSP, Networking, Small business

Uplevel Systems Launches MSP Appliance for SMB Customers

Uplevel Systems, which recently raised $1.2 million, has officially launched Unbox -- an on-premises SMB management appliance for MSPs. Unbox, which links to the cloud, features WiFi, disk storage, backup, security and remote management capabilities.

Read that sentence again and the goal is clear: Uplevel Systems is striving to offer MSPs a single, cloud-enabled SMB appliance that disrupts traditional RMM (remote monitoring and management), BDR (backup and disaster recovery), VPN, security and networking capabilities. Still, there's a scalability catch: The Unbox appliance is designed for SMBs with 25 or fewer employees.

Also, I don't know if Upbox has complete RMM capabilities to help MSPs manage servers, desktops and other types of endpoint devices. Also, Uplevel has not publicly disclosed pricing for the appliance and associated cloud subscription services.

MSP Software Integrations, Convergence

Still, multiple MSP software and hardware segments have been converging in recent years. Business management and automation tools like RMM (remote monitoring and management) and PSA (professional services automation) have come together. Also, the line between BDR (backup and disaster recovery) and security has been fading -- both in  terms of software and the associated appliances.

Datto, for instance, is preparing to push beyond BDR appliances to offer a new appliance that blends UTM (unified threat management) and WiFi networking. That offering, the Datto Network Appliance (DNA), should arrive in January 2016.

In the meantime, we've reached out to Uplevel for more information about their pricing model and IT services for MSPs.

 

 

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.