Wednesday, 28 May 2008

SonicWALL New SSLP VPN Targets SMBs

SonicWALL, has released new enhancements to its SSL VPN product line which aims to make it even easier for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) to use and manage their secure remote access and technical support.

The new 3.0 firmware release for the SonicWALL SSL-VPN 2000 and 4000 platforms streamlines remote access administration with a more intuitive interface and builds upon the recent launch of SonicWALL Virtual Assist clientless remote support module with improved features that increase IT staff productivity and decreases time-to-resolution for incidents.

According to SonicWALL, with these enhancements, customers benefit from easier-to-use remote technical support using new enhanced hot keys such as the ability to instantly launch a real-time chat session with a technician during a support session. Customer experience is also improved by more flexible accommodation of a wide range of computer displays.

Technicians can leverage new shortcuts to instantly initiate chat, transfer files, or launch the customer’s start menu or task manager. In addition, there exists a new quick-diagnostic utility that provides instant insight into the customer’s computer configuration which may significantly decrease time-to-resolution of an incident. Technicians can be automatically notified by email upon initiation of a customer request, enabling greater productivity.

The SonicWALL SSL VPN 3.0 firmware improves the remote access administration experience with a next-generation intuitive interface using icon-based visual aids for easier configuration and management of the SSL VPN appliances, while retaining a familiar navigation system.

Furthermore, new Virtual Assist logging and reporting functionality in the administrative portal ensures IT accountability by providing detailed logs of remote support sessions, which can be used to generate automated reports for export or email according to predefined schedules.

“The increasing costs of doing business combined with a soft economy makes it more important than ever for IT to consider cost-effective solutions like Virtual Assist,” says Upa Hazarika, SonicWALL SSL VPN Product Manager.

“Both channel partners and end customers can reap benefits from increased security, productivity, and user satisfaction, while leveraging existing infrastructure using this appliance-based solution. At SonicWALL, we strive to drive down the costs and complexity of security, so that businesses can be more productive.”

The SSL-VPN 2000 and 4000 appliances are available for sale today via the channel.

SonicWALL Virtual Assist may be bought as a perpetual license for these platforms based on the maximum number of concurrent technicians required at any given time starting at USD995 for one concurrent technician.