By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

EarthLink, Inc., an IT service, network and communications provider of master agent TBI, is rolling out new services that its clients need. The services come as EarthLink has completed a number of key acquisitions on which it can capitalize.

One of those services is EarthLink’s IT services for something other than enterprises of substantial size. Now, EarthLink is poised to offer the same services to single and small locations, according to this Channel Partners Online report.

The company said recently it would offer cloud, collocation, managed security, hosting, and disaster recovery services in a portfolio that should be available for master agent offerings in the near future.

Another EarthLink development that has piqued some master agent curiosity is a hosted Microsoft (News - Alert) Exchange product. As more businesses upgrade to the newer version of Exchange, EarthLink is poised to get involved. EarthLink believes it can reduce transition costs by moving from a CAPEX platform to an OPEX (News - Alert) platform.

EarthLink’s managed security solution is something a master agent can push because the solution includes a managed firewall, secure remote access, asset management, laptop security, and remote data protection. 

Companies looking at a reduced budget and fewer staff resources will likely take interest from a master agent selling this solution. Regardless of how tight a budget is, the security of a company’s processes is tantamount to every other high-ranking aspect of the company.

Remote data protection is a must-have service that can protect a company when a natural or manmade disaster occurs. These scenarios sometimes wipe out service and data in the process, rendering a business offline or out of business. A master agent is wise to push remote data protection as it can save a company from ruin. 

The Web-based management tool used in the remote data protection solution allows remote access to installations and employs a simple browser that reduces the amount of memory needed to establish connections. It also allows the user to backup and restore data quickly and easily from any location that has Internet access. 

As more employees go mobile with laptops, tablets and smartphones, master agent offerings of managed laptop security is also increasing. With a laptop, workers can get to their tasks from hotel lobbies to airport lounges to coffee houses. 

But while they’re in these remote and unsecured places, you don’t want them unintentionally coming in contact with malicious software on public wireless signals. With a managed laptop security solution, policies are never broken and data is encrypted to protect the device, the employee and the network. 

For the master agent seeking to capitalize on current opportunities in the market, Earthlink (News - Alert) offers a wide variety of solutions designed to address key challenges companies are facing in the market today. As a result, the master agent has an increased chance to right-fit a challenge to a solution.


Edited by Jamie Epstein