The Case For Remote Access Options For Employees

Tech Republic talks about the advantages of about remote worker initiatives, saying:

“Very few initiatives help IT departments save money while they increase the reach and service of their infrastructure; but a well thought-out remote access strategy can do just that. It can help it give distributed users the access they need to the information and resources they require from wherever they are located, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And, if done right, a remote access strategy can reduce the complexity and ongoing security and management headaches that have typically resulted from extending the reach of the network to remote users.”

Amen to that! Minicom’s remote access solutions are living examples of how to reduce IT complexity and management headaches.

But don’t take our word for it – here’s what satisfied users of our solutions have to say:

“Because we are not limited by physical location and can work remotely, this system really helps us reduce our response time. Minicom’s solution maximized our existing KVM infrastructure and investment, adding remote functionality to what we already had.”
Director Li, head of the Technical Department of the Library in Beihang University.

“Minicom’s KVM IP solution is very appealing because I can manage my whole network from my desk. They offered the most cost effective solution with the best technology to simplify management of our network.”
Charlie Maillet, IT engineering and operations specialist for Ohio’s Area Agency on Aging District 7

Still not convinced? More reasons to implement the ability to work remotely (per the article):

“A well thought-out remote access strategy can become a differentiator for an organization, supporting high-level business objectives that deliver strategic value. It can support disaster recovery preparedness, reduce environmental impacts, and create a flexible work environment that gives the organization an improved ability to attract and retain top talent…It is not often you can develop an IT strategy that is able to play defense (save money) and offense (improve reach to boost productivity and business continuity) at the same time. In the face of these myriad benefits, it is worth it for organizations to make the transition to a more strategic and effective remote access strategy to ensure business can be done from anywhere at anytime to maintain or increase their competitive edge.”

See for yourself – try our demo to witness firsthand the benefits of remote access.

Minicom Spins Out its Digital Signage Division; Raises $6 Million from JVP and Aviv Ventures for the New Venture

Today we have some very big news. Here is the official Press Release:

Minicom Advanced Systems, a developer of remote access, KVM, and digital signage solutions, today announced that it would spinout its digital signage division (“MDS”). The new company simultaneously announced that it had raised $6 million to finance its operations independently. The investment, which was led by Jerusalem Venture Partners and joined by Aviv Ventures, will enable the company to broaden its platform from its new offices in Jerusalem’s JVP Media Quarter.

MDS is a leading vendor of media distribution solutions for the Digital Signage and Digital out of Home (DooH) marketplace. According to MDS’ CEO, Ronni Guggenheim, “This investment is the natural next step in MDS’ lifecycle. The support of our investors positions us to explore inorganic growth options and to drive the acceleration of our product roadmap towards the establishment of MDS as a full scale enabling platform in the digital signage market.”

MDS’ technology is currently deployed on over 400,000 screens worldwide, and facilitates the distribution of content to consumers in retail, education, finance, transportation, and hospitality environments. In addition to the company’s headquarters in Israel, MDS has offices in the UK, Switzerland, and the US in order to meet the localized needs of its customers.
Gadi Tirosh, General Partner at JVP, explains that “MDS, with its seasoned leadership, global footprint, and strong operating history from within Minicom, is poised to build a broader platform in this growing but still fragmented market.” JVP typically invests in businesses that apply technology acumen towards the development of new media models, and with its investment in MDS, now enters another segment of traditional media that is on the verge of digitization.

About Minicom Advanced Systems
Minicom Advanced Systems provides KVM remote access, extension and management solutions designed to expedite and simplify IT services. Tailored for IT managers who need secure, centralized, and seamless access to their mixed IT environments, these solutions enable local, remote, in-band and out-of-band access and management. Minicom's unique approach maximizes past investments in IT infrastructure, installation, and training while adding innovative technology, resulting in reduced costs and increased productivity.
Founded in 1988, Minicom is a member of Intel Capital's portfolio of companies. In 2009, Minicom established Minicom Digital Signage. With headquarters in Israel and regional offices in North America, Europe and China, Minicom operates in over 70 countries.

About Minicom Digital Signage
Minicom Digital Signage is the world leader in the manufacture of advanced multimedia platforms. The company’s award winning solutions enable the transmission of rich content from media players to multiple digital displays located hundreds of meters/feet away. They also keep network costs down by reducing equipment and licensing requirements, and better preserving its customers’ systems. Today, over 400,000 screens worldwide are run on Minicom Digital Signage technology. Minicom Digital Signage began as a subsidiary of Minicom Advanced Systems, which has over two decades of experience in providing innovative technology solutions in the manufacture of media distribution and digital out of home multimedia platforms.

About JVP
JVP is one of the leading venture capital funds in Israel. The fund operates from Jerusalem and manages over $780 million. JVP focuses on building market leaders in the fields of digital media technology, including gaming and virtual worlds, mobile media, software and hardware applications and Internet advertising. With leading industry venture partners and consultants in New York, Los Angeles and Europe and an international network of strategic partners, JVP leverages its unique market expertise, its dedicated management team and substantial capital base to build companies with the potential of shaping the global markets.

About Aviv Ventures
Aviv Ventures invests in Israel related technology companies, with a focus on companies providing "high-tech solutions to low-tech industries". The fund seeks to invest in revenue stage companies as they transform themselves from R&D centric organizations into globally oriented companies with customer facing operations. Aviv helps its portfolio companies to bridge geographical and professional gaps as they grow and develop from Israel to world markets.

Media Contact:

Elizabeta Petakovic
elizabeta.petakovic@minicom.ch
+41 44 8238009
http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/

Stan Robinson
Stan.robinson@minicom.com
414 N. Wood Ave
Linden, NJ 07036
+1 908 4862100
http://www.minicom.com/

Minicom’s Innovative, Secure KVM Switch is a Hit with Network Computing

After thorough testing in a computing lab, Network Computing (European Edition) chose the Smart 232 IP as an “Editor’s Pick,” highlighting the fact that it is easy to install, easy to configure and easy to control (full story here).

Awards and more awards…between this and AccessIT™’s Product Innovation Award, we are running out of room on our trophy shelf. Watch this space to see what honors are bestowed on Minicom next!

Minicom’s Answer to the Ten Things You Won't Find in Your Datacentre in 2010

This article on ZDNet UK gives a concise and cogent forecast of what data centers will look like over the next year.

On the disadvantages of unified architectures (something you won’t see):

“The downside is you reduce your discounting power, and your technology choices are similarly limited by those the vendor will sell you. It is called lock-in.”

Minicom’s Real Needs™ approach in perfect harmony with the school of thought that challenges the benefits of unified architectures, recognizing that it is too limiting. The basic philosophy of our Real Needs approach is to make sure that you have the most efficient hardware for your data center requirements without spending IT dollars for equipment that you don't need, regardless of vendor. That’s why we offer KVM IP capability, remote power control, and remote access management for products from a wide range of companies. We want to give you solutions that make sense technically and economically, rather than forcing you to stay wedded to one vendor.

Another thing you won’t see: single pane of glass

“When it comes to management, vendors promise a single pane of glass — being able to view the whole network and infrastructure from one console. But what they offer usually extends only to their own systems or possible other systems like theirs.”

A ha! Minicom is not scared of enabling access to other systems, and in fact, recognizes and responds to this real life scenario with real life answers. Our remote access management solutions, KVM.net® II and AccessITTM, provide a single pane of glass for all industry-leading, in-band and out-of-band remote access services.

Unique, open platform systems, these cost-effective solutions save on IT expenditure by preserving past investments and preventing vendor lock-in. By embracing products from a wide range of companies and vendors, KVM.net II and AccessIT let organizations leverage their existing product knowledge and training, while reducing the cost of adopting an access management platform.

Prove ZDNet wrong – check out our demo to see how you can have a single pane of glass in 2010!

AFCOM Data Center World 2010 Pictures From the Show

We are at Afcom Data Center World 2010 this week showing our centralized access management solutions KVM.net II and AccessIT. Minicom's Dave White, David Zucker & Rami Sasson are sharing a booth with one of our partners SharkRack. Here are some pictures from the show:

PDI Joins Data Center Alliance

Minicom Advanced Systems announced that PDI, a manufacturer of electrical equipment for computer data centers, industrial and commercial buildings, and alternative energy applications, has joined the Data Center Alliance (DCA). The Data Center Alliance, formed with Minicom, Wright Line, ServerTechnology, Uptime Devices, and Digi International fills the information gap in the marketplace by providing a centralized, comprehensive source for building successful IT infrastructures.

“In addition to the opportunities that this partnership offers for significant market expansion, we are looking forward to contributing towards the collaborative efforts by the DCA members to help IT managers with better data center planning and operation, ” said Dave Mulholland, VP Marketing, Service at PDI. “Joining the DCA is a great way for us to work with the people who keep data centers running efficiently, and to offer PDI’s unique, effective solutions to a wider audience.”

To learn more about the Data Center Alliance, visit www.minicom.com/dca-partners.htm.

About PDI

PDI is a closely held specialized manufacturer of electrical equipment for computer data centers, industrial and commercial buildings, and alternative energy applications. PDI is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and also has manufacturing facilities in Howell, Michigan and Costa Mesa, CA. PDI is owned by Bertram Capital out of San Mateo, CA.

Video: Data Center Communication Challenges

Funny half a minute video which captures the difficulty of getting heard in the data center, as well as the challenges of cable confusion.

If these guys were using Minicom’s products, cable clutter would not be an issue…