South African ICT distributor Drive Control Corporation (DCC) has announced the launch of a holistic cloud portfolio to the South African and SADC channel.

In a statement the company explained that the new cloud portfolio is three-pronged: Microsoft CSP (Cloud Solution Provider) services and products; SonicWall’s security offering Cloud App Security; and DCC Cloud Storage backup and recovery solution powered by Commvault.

“Whilst driven by three distinct components, our cloud offering ultimately extends throughout the entire lifecycle, ensuring that our partners can offer a complete solution built on infrastructure provided by leaders in their respective solution fields,” said Fred Mitchell, division head: software solutions at DCC.

Microsoft CSP

DCC said its Microsoft CSP offering is provided in partnership with Norway-based cloud platform service provider Crayon.

DCC added that it will utilise Crayon’s cloud infrastructure, providing products such as Microsoft Azure, Office365, Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS), and Dynamics CRM Online.

The Microsoft (CSP) programme enables its partner to manage Microsoft cloud customers’ entire lifecycle that includes billing and support.

Catherine Lebudi-Mkhondo, CSP Business Development Manager at DCC, added: “Through our partnership with Crayon we can now offer the Microsoft CSP offering, backed by their entrenched and recognised cloud infrastructure. Together with Crayon we are expanding our business and services to the channel while also reaching a previously untapped segment of the market.”

Cloud-based security, backup and recovery

SonicWall and DCC Cloud Storage enable channel partners to offer cost-effective and advanced cloud-based security and backup with recovery services that feature sophisticated products.

DCC Cloud Storage service is provided from a highly secure and resilient datacentre based in South Africa, the distributor continued.

“SonicWall’s Cloud App Security offers next-gen security for data within cloud applications such as Office 365 that includes e-mail, messaging, file sharing and file storage,” reads an excerpt from the statement.

Mitchell said: “With SonicWall and DCC Cloud Storage our partners can offer cost-effective and easy-to-deploy cloud service supported by an experienced team and solid platforms. Our channel partners can now protect their customers’ data where it resides while also offering advanced backup and recovery services.”