Cloud Security
PR Newswire | January 12, 2024
Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today announced significant enhancements to the Observer Platform allowing IT teams to further maximize network availability, productivity and compliance. The enhancements include critical new capabilities in End-User Experience (EUE) scoring, digital certificate analysis, application identification, Unified Communications (UC) support, and Azure traffic visibility through NSG flow log analysis.
The VIAVI State of the Network study revealed enterprises' top challenges in managing their networks. With a majority of enterprise applications hosted in the cloud, fewer than 1% of organizations say they are satisfied with network visibility. Problem domain isolation – pinpointing issues across network, server, application, or client domains – remains one of the biggest challenges for NetOps teams. End-user experience is the highest ranking KPI. And nearly half of teams spend between 10 and 20 hours per week troubleshooting UC platforms.
The latest Observer release, v18.17, addresses these challenges to improve reliability of networks in meeting organizational objectives. Major new enhancements include:
EUE Scoring Updates. Observer's patented EUE analysis now provides deeper insight into each problem domain – network, server, application or client – clearly showing individual scores and associated deductions, making it easy to understand what is contributing the most to performance degradations.
Traffic Visibility for Azure and AWS. With the introduction of NSG flow log support, Observer adds insight and visibility for Azure environments equivalent to the existing capabilities for AWS using VPC Flow Logs. As Microsoft does not natively support packet extraction, flow visibility is essential for troubleshooting issues within complex Azure environments.
Enhanced Application Recognition. Through added Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and Application Identification (AppID) capabilities, the Observer Platform now recognizes thousands of specific business and non-business applications natively without having them embedded or hidden within HTTP or HTTPS.
UC Call Visualization. Observer is now the only platform in the industry to transform both packet and flow data into intuitive, actionable visualizations that follow the journey of calls through the network infrastructure and identify the location and root cause(s) of poor UC performance.
Digital Certificate Analysis. Running servers with non-compliant or expired certificates is a risk, especially if affected hosts and services are public facing. Certificate analysis enables a proactive approach to take timely action, prevent negative outcomes, and safeguard networks and reputation.
"Applications are now distributed across private data centers, multiple public clouds, and edge locations, yet many companies fail to upgrade their network monitoring and management solutions to keep pace with these highly complex environments," said Bob Laliberte, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. "VIAVI has recognized this shift and responded by providing comprehensive visibility across these distributed, heterogenous environments. The Observer platform has evolved to support these new environments and its emphasis on end-user experience should appeal to enterprise customers looking to accelerate their transformation, enabling greater operational efficiency and ensuring positive end-user experiences."
"In partnership with our customers, we have leveled up performance and threat visibility and developed a powerful set of capabilities that provide insights where they are needed most," said Chris Labac, Vice President and General Manager, Network Performance and Threat Solutions, VIAVI. "Our patented End-User Experience Scoring can now be used by virtually the entire IT team to effectively identify, prioritize, and remediate business-impacting issues. Our UC visualizations are now the best in the industry. New DPI and Azure capabilities round out a release that we're thrilled to deliver. Our focus continues to be not on delivering more KPIs, but delivering more clarity, actionable information, and business value."
About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.
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Cloud App Management
PR Newswire | January 16, 2024
DriveNets – a leader in innovative networking solutions – and Acacia today announced the completion of integrating multiple Acacia 400G ZR/ZR+ optical modules with DriveNets' Network Cloud platform. The combined DriveNets-Acacia solution will ensure quick adoption of this innovative disaggregated networking solution and accelerate large-scale network rollouts. DriveNets and Acacia have joint Tier-1 operator customers who will deploy the joint solution.
Last September, DriveNets announced that Network Cloud was the first Disaggregated Distributed Chassis/Backbone Router (DDC/DDBR) to support ZR/ZR+ optics as native transceivers that can be inserted into any Network Cloud-supported white boxes. The combined Acacia-DriveNets solution announced today adds the initial collaboration between the companies, offering several benefits:
The joint solution will deliver significant simplicity and cost savings by collapsing Layer-1 to Layer-3 communications into a single platform.
The use of 400ZR/ZR+ eliminates the need for standalone optical transponders, lowering the number of boxes in the solution, and reducing operational-overhead, floor-space, and power.
DriveNets and Acacia worked together to ensure that the DriveNets NOS (DNOS) supports the 400ZR/ZR+ modules beyond simply plugging them into the box. The collaboration ensures the 400ZR/ZR+ modules can be tunable, configurable, and manageable by DriveNets Network Cloud software.
This integration also goes beyond interoperability validation. DriveNets Network Cloud offers full software support for the Acacia modules, including configuration (channel and power), monitoring, and troubleshooting for Acacia Bright 400ZR+ transceivers with transmit power greater than +1dBm.
"Today's announcement is further proof of the growth of disaggregated networking solutions and demonstrates that more operators are looking for open solutions that will allow them to mix elements from multiple vendors and avoid being locked to a specific end-to-end vendor solution," said Nir Gasko, Vice President, Global Strategic Alliances for DriveNets. "By collaborating with Acacia, we enable our joint customers to quickly adopt cutting-edge technologies and evolve their networks faster."
"Partnering with DriveNets on this joint solution will allow network operators to deploy Acacia's high-volume standard-based coherent pluggable portfolio in open disaggregated networks with less effort," said Fenghai Liu, Senior Director of Product Line Management for Acacia. "Through this collaboration customers can achieve significant capex and opex savings with router-based coherent optics."
DriveNets Network Cloud is being adopted by more Tier-1 operators around the world. By partnering with world-class providers like Acacia, the company continues to expand its ecosystem to support its customers' desire to mix-and-match hardware and software from multiple vendors.
Learn more about DriveNets here.
About DriveNets
DriveNets is a leader in high-scale disaggregated networking solutions. Founded in 2015, DriveNets modernizes the way service providers, cloud providers and hyperscalers build networks, streamlining network operations, increasing network performance at scale, and improving their economic model. DriveNets' solutions – Network Cloud and Network Cloud-AI – adapt the architectural model of hyperscale cloud to telco-grade networking and support any network use case – from core-to-edge to AI networking – over a shared physical infrastructure of standard white-boxes, radically simplifying the network's operations and offering telco-scale performance and reliability with hyperscale elasticity. DriveNets' solutions are currently deployed in the world's largest networks.
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Cloud App Management
Tobii | January 15, 2024
The latest product from Tobii, UX Explore, empowers user experience (UX) researchers to harness the power of eye tracking and measure user attention using only a smartphone. The new software-based platform uses deep learning eye tracking algorithms and allows studies to be conducted remotely, accessing users in their natural environment.
Mobile applications are the dominant method to deliver software, boasting over 255 billion downloads in 2022[1] and millions of new apps being developed every year.[2] Tobii UX Explore is a game-changer for designers and developers seeking cost-effective access to eye tracking UX research to improve the usability of their apps in an early stage of the design process and deliver higher customer value.
"In our mobile-first economy, delivering high-quality apps is essential for companies to delight their customers," said Ali Farokhian, VP of Enterprise at Tobii. "Eye tracking-based user insights are some of the most powerful tools available to deeply understand usability. But, historically, it has been limited to well-funded organizations. However, with UX Explore, we make it accessible and scalable. We are confident that clients will also recognize the value our new product brings, enhancing their team's efficiency with instant data visualization upon study completion."
Tobii UX Explore cloud platform offers the UX community quick and easy-to-understand insights about user experience by providing access to a first-person perspective. It allows researchers to gain insights into user behavior and attention worldwide, enabling quicker and smarter decision-making. By streamlining the testing process, this mobile platform aims to save time and cost, ensuring resources are utilized effectively.
About Tobii
Tobii is the global leader in eye tracking and pioneer of attention computing. We are on a mission to improve the world with technology that understands human attention and intent. Creating tech for a better future, our technologies and solutions apply to areas such as behavioral studies and research, healthcare, education and training, gaming, extended reality, automotive, and many more. Tobii's eye tracking is used by thousands of enterprises, universities, and research institutes around the globe. Headquartered in Sweden, Tobii is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (TOBII).
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Cloud Storage
Fusion Connect | January 05, 2024
Fusion Connect, a leading global managed communications service provider (MCSP) and Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) announced the retirement of Mario DeRiggi, Chief Revenue Officer. Mario has been an integral part of the company's journey, bringing unmatched expertise and dedication. His significant contributions have shaped Fusion Connect's trajectory, and his legacy of excellence and leadership will leave a lasting impact.
In a strategic move, Pieter Uittenbogaard will take on the role of EVP of Growth and Strategy. Pieter will manage Direct Sales, Channel Sales, Account Management, Solution Engineering, and Sales Operations, reporting directly to CEO Brian Crotty. He will continue to spearhead the company's ongoing Microsoft expansion and sales enablement strategy, a critical facet of the company's future growth plan.
To further its commitment to growth and partnership development, Fusion Connect is excited to welcome David Kula and Jeff Winnett to its global leadership team. David Kula joins as the Vice President, Head of Global Direct Sales, bringing over 20 years of sales leadership experience from roles at Sungard Availability Services and Microsoft. His expertise is expected to be a driving force in Fusion Connect's ambition to become Microsoft's leading Operator Connect partner in North America.
Jeff Winnett, stepping in as the Vice President, Head of Global Channel Sales, carries a history of success from his tenure as Vice President of North America Partner Sales at RingCentral and from previous roles at Honeywell and Vonage. Recognized for his exceptional skills in developing partner relationships and driving revenue growth, Jeff's proven leadership will bolster Fusion Connect's growth and partnership strategies.
"Mario has committed to work closely with me, Pieter, and the Fusion Connect leadership team to ensure seamless transition for our teams, partners, and customers," said Crotty. "With Pieter leading our go-forward strategy, and David and Jeff joining us, we are set to deepen our client and partner engagement. Their leadership is crucial to our strategy for 2024 and the years ahead."
About Fusion Connect
Fusion Connect is a next-generation managed communications service provider (MCSP) and Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) enabling mid-market and enterprise businesses to connect people and applications globally. We tailor our highly available cloud communication and connectivity services to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our services are backed by the industry's most comprehensive service guarantee, which includes on-time installation and 100% availability for next-generation services.
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