Several IT infrastructure monitoring and management solutions are available for small and medium businesses (SMBs) , but they are often cost-prohibitive for many small businesses. Cisco’s hybrid solution, consisting of an agent embedded in a small network appliance and a secure cloud service, is aimed squarely at VARs that provide managed services to small businesses. These companies often lack dedicated IT staff and tend to depend on part-time IT people or external contractors to manage IT. With scarce resources typically stretched thin, small businesses are often unable to keep up with the demands of routine technology management–let alone support growth goals with new technology solutions.
At the same time, many VARs are looking for ways to quickly and efficiently offer remote management services to their small business customers, and the ability to provide more proactive guidance and management advice.
Cisco OnPlus gives VARs an efficient way to expand their managed service offerings through remote management and visibility into the customer network and the devices attached to the network. VARs simply plug the OnPlus Network Agent appliance into a switch or router on the customer’s network, and the OnPlus Agent then transmits information about the customer’s network and all connected devices to a secure data center for access by the VAR (Figure 2). Native apps for Apple and Android mobile devices are available for free from those companies’ app stores. The VARs have the flexibility to define their own business model for using OnPlus. Some will add additional fees based on their coverage and response times. Others will use OnPlus to enhance their service capabilities without additional charges to their customers. In addition, VARs can use OnPlus as a tool to accelerate pre-sale assessments with prospective customers.