AMSTERDAM & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG) today announced the continued international rollout of AVG CloudCare™, a free, cloud-based security and IT management platform with services that make it simpler and more cost-effective for resellers to manage and protect their small and medium business (SMB) customers. The AVG CloudCare platform - with award-winning AVG AntiVirus, AVG Remote IT, AVG Email Security Services and AVG Content Filtering - is available immediately to AVG resellers and managed service partners in Australia and New Zealand.
Key to AVG CloudCare is AVG Remote IT, a free administrative platform enabling resellers to offer genuine value-add to their customers, while reducing their own costs. AVG has integrated all the critical elements resellers need to monitor and troubleshoot their customers’ IT resources via the cloud, into a single, easy-to-use management platform. Customer systems are kept updated automatically while any alerts are sent via email in real-time. Consequently, partners can now serve even the smallest customer more profitably. An iOS® administrative console App even allows resellers to access AVG CloudCare via an iPhone® or iPad® – helping them respond to manage their customers’ IT while on the move.
“We are delighted to expand the international availability of AVG CloudCare and serve the small business customers in Australia and New Zealand,” said Mike Foreman, General Manager for SMB for AVG Technologies. “As SMB customers incorporate more technology – from e-commerce to mobile and social - their need for IT support and protection also increases.
“Because our leadership team comes from small business and channel roots, we understand what it takes to serve SMBs. We have worked closely with our channel partners to make sure AVG CloudCare incorporates everything they asked for and will continue to encourage their active involvement as the platform develops,” he added.
IT resellers targeting the small to medium sized business channel face two business challenges: their customers’ expectations often exceed their willingness to pay for services; and the technology tools available to them were originally designed for much larger customers.
Proven Platform
Since its northern hemisphere launch in
October 2012, AVG CloudCare has amassed more than 1,000 reseller
partners and is already managing tens of thousands of small businesses
across the United Kingdom, Ireland and North America, saving them
thousands of dollars a year by minimizing on-site support and adding to
customer satisfaction. In a 2012 survey of its resellers, 80 percent of
AVG partners indicated they already perceived increased efficiency with
AVG CloudCare.
Pay As You Go
Unlike rival platforms that charge up-front
fees based on the number of estimated users, AVG CloudCare only charges
for services that are actually used by the end customer. In addition,
individual services can be activated and deactivated as needed. AVG
CloudCare introduces a new approach to the pricing of services which
enables AVG resellers to maximise their returns by creating their own
retail model and offering their services on a monthly or annual basis.
Michael Dowling, Channel and Corporate Sales Director at AVG Technologies AU NZ, noted: “This free administration platform ticks all the boxes for our resellers – it provides a point of difference, saves them time, lowers their servicing costs and makes even the smallest customer more profitable. And, it’s cloud-based – cloud is where everyone is and what everyone is talking about.
“I’m very confident AVG CloudCare will have rapid pick up in Australia and New Zealand because it immediately removes the cost of standalone remote log-in packages, while providing many other services,” Dowling said.
Murray Russell, ITC Consultant at Computer & IT Services, one of the pilot resellers in the Australian market, confirmed the prospects for AVG’s proactive management platform: “We needed proven, secure Cloud servicing capabilities and AVG CloudCare fits the price-sensitive dynamics of our SMB marketplace.”
And in New Zealand, Dennis Jones, Director of CT Business Solutions Ltd and franchisee of Computer Troubleshooters, Hamilton North, said: “With the AVG CloudCare service we’re immediately able to use our time more efficiently because we can see all our customers in a single view, at any time and from any place.”
Key Benefits
The free AVG CloudCare dashboard gives
resellers a number of advantages:
- Remote, one-click deployment for installs and activations of AVG AntiVirus, AVG Content Filtering and AVG Remote IT
- Remote monitoring and troubleshooting of customer IT resources
- Easy upgrade or transfer of customers. With a simple tick-in-a-box, older versions of AVG and/or a number of other security brands can be removed and replaced remotely with the very latest in AVG protection
- Keyless licensing and easy-to-use preset policies that minimize administrative hassles in managing accounts
- Remote virus vault management - infected files can be deleted, repaired and restored at the click of a button
- Automatic alerts that signal customer needs and opportunities, leading to increased sales
- Customizable reports that showcase AVG channel partners’ added value
- Offer customers a fully-functional, no obligation 30 day trial before purchase
AVG envisions that AVG CloudCare’s capabilities will grow to include a wide variety of additional services such as data backup and additional mobile applications.
To find out more and become an AVG CloudCare partner, go to www.avg.com/cloudcare.
For logos, screenshots and case study videos, please see the AVG CloudCare press kit: http://mediacenter.avg.com/en/press-tools/avg-cloudcare-press-kit/avg-cloudcare-press-kit.html
About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)
AVG’s mission is to simplify, optimize and secure the Internet experience, providing peace of mind to a connected world. AVG’s powerful yet easy-to‐use software and online services put users in control of their Internet experience. By choosing AVG’s software and services, users become part of a trusted global community that benefits from inherent network effects, mutual protection and support. AVG has grown its user base to 150 million active users as of March 31, 2013 and offers a product portfolio that targets the consumer and small business markets and includes Internet security, PC performance optimization, online backup, mobile security, identity protection and family safety software.
Keep in touch with AVG
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