Connected's online PC support services completely automate maintenance and administration of corporate PCs.FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 1997-- Second-Generation solution provides best practices in desktop and laptop Same as laptop computer. laptop - portable computer backup, anti-virus and application updating Connected Corp. today announced a comprehensive set of online services to provide completely automatic data backup and recovery, application updating, and up-to-date virus protection to corporate PC users over Internet and intranet connections. The services are delivered on a subscription basis and are a completely new method for outsourcing (1) Contracting with outside consultants, software houses or service bureaus to perform systems analysis, programming and datacenter operations. Contrast with insourcing. See netsourcing, ASP, SSP and facilities management. critical support tasks on a per-PC basis. Connected's integrated suite of services allow corporations to extend highest-quality support to their hundreds and thousands of desktop and mobile PC users with absolutely no additional staff or capital outlay capital outlay See capital expenditure. . Connected's online support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services use automation and technology to implement techniques recognized as "best practice" for safeguarding corporate data. A PC with Connected's software automatically "checks-in" with Connected's secure data center servers for daily maintenance without requiring any user or administrator intervention. Connected's new technology platform supports Internet and intranet connections as well as dial-up access hot Dial-up access is a form of Internet access via telephone line. The client uses a modem connected to a computer and a telephone line to dial into an Internet service provider's (ISP) node to establish a modem-to-modem link, which is then routed to the Internet. via Connected's nationwide private network. Connected's suite of integrated services In computer networking, IntServ or integrated services is an architecture that specifies the elements to guarantee quality of service (QoS) on networks. IntServ can for example be used to allow video and sound to reach the receiver without interruption. automate To turn a set of manual steps into an operation that goes by itself. See automation. three vital maintenance and support tasks: -- Connected Online Backup Using the Web to store copies of data for backup. There are numerous providers on the Internet that charge for storage, and fees are typically based on capacity. Online backup services provide offsite backup, which is essential for disaster recovery. See backup types. (TM) Version 2.0 performs automatic online backup for desktop and mobile PC users. Faster, more reliable and secure than zip drives See Zip disk. (hardware, storage) Zip Drive - A disk drive from Iomega Corporation which takes removable 100 megabyte hard disks. Both internal and external drives are manufactured, making the drive suitable for backup, mass storage or for moving files between computers. , tapes or floppies, new user data is encrypted en·crypt tr.v. en·crypt·ed, en·crypt·ing, en·crypts 1. To put into code or cipher. 2. Computer Science and transmitted with extreme compression to Connected's mirrored data centers on a daily basis for secure off-site storage and instant recovery whenever needed. This second generation release of Connected's award-winning automated au·to·mate v. au·to·mat·ed, au·to·mat·ing, au·to·mates v.tr. 1. To convert to automatic operation: automate a factory. 2. backup software See backup program. (tool, software) backup software - Software for doing a backup, often included as part of the operating system. Backup software should provide ways to specify what files get backed up and to where. includes a number of enhancements in performance, security, ease of use, and connectivity. Connected's industry leading online backup service had previously been marketed under the name DataSafe. With version 2.0, and effective immediately, the name has been changed to Connected Online Backup. -- Connected Update(TM) is a new component of the online service suite which completely automates the tedious and time-consuming task of distributing and installing software and driver updates to thousands of desktop and mobile computers. -- Connected AntiVirus Refers to detecting and blocking computer viruses. See antivirus program, behavior blocking, virus and virus hoaxes. (TM) is an all new service that delivers comprehensive virus protection for system files, applications and data, as well as e-mail, Internet and intranet transfers. Connected AntiVirus also ensures a consistent level of up-to-date virus protection across all PCs in the organization by distributing and installing weekly updated vaccine/virus signature files to each PC, completely automatically. "Corporate IT managers have been given two conflicting directives. They need to support and protect exploding numbers of computers and data while they're also being told to keep costs flat. There just isn't enough money or staff to give quality support to mobile users and desktops using traditional IT approaches," said Howard Marson, senior vice president at Connected. "We have built a technology and service company that solves this IT paradox with a suite of fully automated outsourcing services. This is a breakthrough solution helping our customers reduce the cost of PC administration and support while safeguarding corporate assets and data." Connected's automated PC support services are a unique solution that comprehensively delivers: -- Daily, incremental backups See backup types. (operating system) incremental backup - A kind of backup that copies all files which have changed since the date of the previous backup. The first backup of a file system should include all files - a "full backup". Call this level 0. of desktops and notebooks that happen automatically without requiring any user intervention. -- An easy, fast and automatic method for employees to restore any current or previous versions of their data files whenever needed, without burdening MIS staff for support. -- Improved security, at no additional cost, for storing data off-site within a comprehensive data recovery and business continuation plan. -- Automated distribution of software updates to desktop and mobile users without any cost in staff and time. -- Automated updating of virus definition files to all users, at least weekly, to ensure up-to-date and consistent virus protection throughout the enterprise. -- Preservation and control of access to corporate data in cases of terminated or disgruntled dis·grun·tle tr.v. dis·grun·tled, dis·grun·tling, dis·grun·tles To make discontented. [dis- + gruntle, to grumble (from Middle English gruntelen; see employees, and lost or stolen computers. Connected Online Backup Many companies are not backing up individual computers at all; certainly laptops but not even many LAN-connected desktop systems. This leaves each days work product exposed to potential loss unless employees take steps to secure their own data. Connected Online Backup delivers "best practices" backup and recovery with no time or effort required from the user or IT personnel. Connected's patent-pending Delta Block technology automatically tracks and saves only those portions of each file that change from day to day, rather than having to backup entire files every time they change. This unique capability significantly reduces network load and transmission time needed to perform daily automated backups and is superior to, and more secure than any other available backup method. Delta Block technology permits Connected Online Backup to maintain an infinite number infinite number a number so large as to be uncountable. Represented by 8, frequently obtained by 'dividing' by zero. of previous versions of data files, any or all of which can be automatically restored by the user themselves at any time, quickly and easily. Connected Online Backup -- Features -- Automated intelligent file selection for each incremental backup -- Patent-pending Delta Block file comparison technology for backing up only the changed portions of each file, rather than entire files -- 24 hour a day, 7 day a week automated file restore capability with average access times of 90 seconds or less -- 56-bit DES encryption The reversible transformation of data from the original (the plaintext) to a difficult-to-interpret format (the ciphertext) as a mechanism for protecting its confidentiality, integrity and sometimes its authenticity. Encryption uses an encryption algorithm and one or more encryption keys. of all files before they leave the user's system -- Automated generation of CD-ROMs (containing all versions of a user's files) for large volume restores and permanent data archiving -- Completely mirrored, state-of-the-art secure data centers with fault-tolerant operations -- Ability to backup network drives and dedicated server space -- Built-in file sharing Copying files from one computer to another. See peer-to-peer network, file sharing protocol and file and printer sharing. capability that delivers much of what is provided by more complex dedicated remote access systems -- Centralized cen·tral·ize v. cen·tral·ized, cen·tral·iz·ing, cen·tral·iz·es v.tr. 1. To draw into or toward a center; consolidate. 2. encryption key management -- Robust connection management including automatic reconnect on line drop, restarting transfers from within a file, and automatic rerouting to the alternate data center if the primary center is busy Connected Update The architecture of Connected's online servers currently support simultaneous uploading of files to individual clients during every backup session. While a client PC is transferring its encrypted and compressed backup files A file on a tape, removable disk or the fixed disk of another computer that is a copy kept for backup purposes. See backup types. to Connected's servers, the servers use full-duplex, high bandwidth protocols to simultaneously transfer and install any available and relevant application and driver updates to the client PC. Using this approach, desktop and notebook PCs can be efficiently maintained on a daily basis. IT personnel will electronically provide a single copy of an update on Connected s servers, and specify which users should receive the updates. In addition to checking for the right versions and existing file sets, this innovative "push" technology also includes the ability to send each user a personalized per·son·al·ize tr.v. per·son·al·ized, per·son·al·iz·ing, per·son·al·iz·es 1. To take (a general remark or characterization) in a personal manner. 2. To attribute human or personal qualities to; personify. message informing them what files/applications have been updated, providing any instructions for using or installing the update (if necessary), and any other relevant information that MIS wishes to transmit to the user. For example, the message might be in HTML HTML in full HyperText Markup Language Markup language derived from SGML that is used to prepare hypertext documents. Relatively easy for nonprogrammers to master, HTML is the language used for documents on the World Wide Web. format, with live links back to a corporate intranet site. For maximum efficiency, Connected's patent pending Delta Block technology will allow the size of each update to be minimized to the point where it need only include the incremental Additional or increased growth, bulk, quantity, number, or value; enlarged. Incremental cost is additional or increased cost of an item or service apart from its actual cost. changes required to update the existing version of the application. Updates will also be automatically installed for the user, or left to be installed later at the user's option. Updates will be easily uninstalled by the user at any time if necessary. Connected Update - Features -- Update files are distributed and installed on each client system automatically -- Full-duplex protocol means that a single online session handles any and all support tasks -- Update availability and relevance are automatically checked for on a daily basis -- Targeted messages in any format can be sent to each employee or user group Connected AntiVirus New viruses are discovered, and vaccinations developed, almost every day. But to date, there has not been an easy, automated way for a computer to update itself to recognize the new viruses. The Connected AntiVirus service will provide weekly, automatic updates to both the virus definition files and virus scanning engine, allowing the organizations' PCs to recognize and be protected against new viruses as they become known. Whereas most virus protection software vendors today offer customers the ability to retrieve and install monthly updates from their Web sites, Connected's AntiVirus service will automatically check for urgent virus updates on a daily basis, and deliver non-urgent virus definition file updates directly to all PCs on at least a weekly basis. Tightly integrated with the Connected AntiVirus service, the Connected Online Backup software utilizes agent technology to check for virus updates every day during the scheduled backup session and if one is available, gets it from the server and installs it automatically for the user. Users do not have to know when a virus update is available, nor do they have to spend any time requesting it, finding it on the Web or company server, downloading it, or installing it. Connected AntiVirus will do it all for the user automatically. "Connected's solution eliminates the headaches and tremendous amount of time that go along with maintaining a large desktop and mobile workforce," said Frank Bohac, President of Computer Systems Development, Inc. "We have the peace of mind, that our data is now always protected and available for recovery in case of loss, without necessarily having to depend on our users to remember to perform their own PC maintenance." Connected AntiVirus - Features -- Newest anti-virus definitions are packaged for release weekly, rather than slower monthly or quarterly releases from other vendors -- Newest definitions will be automatically installed on the day they're available without any work required on the part of the user or IT staff -- Comprehensive virus protection software scans mail, Internet and intranet transfers, and all system files, applications and data. Pricing The Connected Online Backup service carries an innovative pricing model which charges only for transferring new pieces of data to or from Connected's secure data centers. There are no charges for or limits placed on file storage or the number of backups or restore operations performed. Companies subscribing to the service receive Connected's award-winning backup software for free, and pay a nominal monthly per user access fee plus a low per megabyte One million bytes, or more precisely 1,048,576 bytes. Also MB, Mbyte and M-byte. See mega and space/time. (unit) megabyte - (MB, colloquially "meg") 2^20 = 1,048,576 bytes = 1024 kilobytes. 1024 megabytes are one gigabyte. transfer fee. All upgrades to the backup software are included in the price of the service, and are automatically installed without user intervention. Companies subscribing to the Connected Update service will pay a modest one time setup See BIOS setup and install program. fee for each update to be electronically distributed, along with a nominal per megabyte transfer fee for each client PC receiving the update. Companies subscribing to the Connected AntiVirus service will receive the full-featured virus protection software for free, and pay a nominal monthly per user fee for automated delivery of weekly updates to the virus definition files and scanning engine. With this innovative, monthly subscription-based outsourcing model, corporations with large numbers of desktop and mobile PCs can implement Connected's automated support solutions with no major upfront software expenses or capital outlays. Support Connected provides free technical support for all customers Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on toll-free lines at 800-647-3078. About Connected Corporation Connected Corporation develops, markets and operates a suite of automated online PC support services which provide best industry practices while reducing the total cost of support for desktop and mobile PCs. Connected is a privately-held company founded in October of 1995. Company investors include venture backing from Hambrecht & Quist, Applied Technology, Inc., SOFTBANK Holdings Inc. and Solstice solstice (sŏl`stĭs) [Lat.,=sun stands still], in astronomy, either of the two points on the ecliptic that lie midway between the equinoxes (separated from them by an angular distance of 90°). Capital. The company is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts Framingham is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the population was 66,910, making it the most populous town in New England. The 2005 population estimate is 65,598. with a sales office in Palo Alto, California “Palo Alto” redirects here. For other uses, see Palo Alto (disambiguation). Palo Alto (IPA: /ˌpæloʊˈʔæltoʊ/, from Spanish: palo: "stick" and alto: "high", i.e. , and can be reached on the Web at www.connected.com or toll free at 800-353-3078. CONTACT: Lisa Hahn Howard Marson Copithorne & Bellows bellows, expansible, gas-tight chamber used to pump or store a gas. One of the simplest and most familiar types of bellows is the manual one used for providing a forced draft to a fire. The expansible chamber consists of a leather bag with pleated sides. Connected Corporation (617) 450-4300 (508) 270-0035 lisa.hahn@cbpr.com howard@connected.com |
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