Virtual1 provides carrier-neutral network connectivity and accompanying data protection services. Partners and Service Providers using Virtual1’s products can simplify their data management and reduce the costs associated with data protection and storage.
The new agreement allows Virtual1’s customers to access the most complete set of data protection solutions and receive local support through established channels and existing relationships.
Based on the new Acronis Hybrid Cloud architecture and powered by the Acronis AnyData Engine, Acronis Backup Cloud is the #1 backup solution for service providers. It provides fast, easy, complete and safe data protection for any data, in any environment and in any location. Acronis Backup Cloud supports physical Windows and Linux, virtual VMware, Hyper-V, Xen, RHEV, KVM, and Oracle VMs, as well as Microsoft Exchange, SQL, SharePoint, Active Directory and mobile devices. Acronis’ multi-destination support enables end users to store backup data anywhere – onsite, in the Acronis Cloud or within the Virtual1 datacenter.
According to Technavio, the global cloud backup and recovery software market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 13% from 2016-2020*, making it a $5.2 billion global opportunity by 2020. On top of this, the 2015 Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) research concluded that in the UK alone, cloud usage has soared by 75% among businesses since 2010, with 84% of firms having made the move off-premises. Some 78% of firms are using two or more cloud services, with 50% expecting to move all IT assets off-premise in the future (16% as soon as possible). CIF anticipated that 86% of UK companies would use at least one cloud service by the start of 2016. This agreement will see both Acronis and Virtual1 well placed to capitalise on this growth.
“As we can see from the statistics, there’s huge potential in the UK for cloud backup services,” said Jeff Hart, Senior Sales Director for Northern Europe at Acronis. “There is already a good awareness and knowledge of the benefits of the cloud among businesses in this market, so plenty of opportunities. We chose to work with Virtual1 as it is one of the most respected and well-established ‘wholesale’ providers in the region, and is very keen to expand its cloud offering with best-in-class products.”
Commenting on the new agreement with Acronis, Neil Wilson (pictured), Product and Marketing Manager, at Virtual1, said: “We were looking for an outstanding cloud back-up product to offer to our customers, and chose Acronis to power our 1Backup product based on three key factors: security; scalability and an architecture that is perfectly suited for the channel empowerment. We are hosting the solution in the core of our network, and the deal supports our strategy of growing our cloud solutions portfolio with best-in-class products. This helps us to maintain trust, reputation and drive take-up. Throughout the whole integration process, Acronis was straight-forward and professional, we were always talking to the right contact at the right time so everything ran smoothly.”