Wednesday, October 5, 2016

IBM to Offer AT&T FlexWare Cloud Networking Services

IBM will offer the newly re-branded AT&T FlexWare service, which delivers and manages virtual network functions (VNFs) on a single device, to business customers. AT&T FlexWare, formerly called AT&T Network Functions on Demand, is available globally through the AT&T Network on Demand platform. The solution features both software-defined networking and network function virtualization technologies.

By taking advantage of IBM’s sales and marketing teams, the two companies are extending their global reach to bring new capabilities and additional cost savings to companies. AT&T will also be able to run applications on IBM’s cloud, cognitive, analytics and security infrastructure. In addition to making this available to clients, IBM has begun to roll out AT&T FlexWare in many of its own sites.

“Working with AT&T, we continually are innovating in ways that not only meet our clients’ business objectives, but also strengthen one of the industry’s most powerful one-two punches,” said Richard Patterson, general manager, Infrastructure Services at IBM. “IBM will use these technologies to support the hybrid cloud evolution and deliver greater services to our clients.”

“Today represents the latest step in a long and mutually beneficial relationship between IBM and AT&T,” said Steve McGaw, chief marketing officer, AT&T Business Solutions. “By expanding our relationship with IBM, more customers will be able to take advantage of AT&T FlexWare that will adapt and grow with customers’ business needs.”

http://www.att.com
http://www.ibm.com

AT&T Transfers Managed App and Hosting Business to IBM


AT&T agreed to transition its managed application and managed hosting services unit to IBM. IBM will then align these managed service capabilities with the IBM Cloud portfolio. IBM will also acquire equipment and access to floor space in AT&T data centers currently supporting the applications and managed hosting operations. Financial terms were not disclosed. AT&T will continue to provide other managed networking services, including...

AT&T and IBM Team Up on Mobile Cloud Security


AT&T and IBM announced a partnership focused on delivering a scalable mobile cloud solution to help protect corporate data and apps.  The reference architecture includes: IBM MobileFirst Protect: helps organizations manage and control mobile devices, apps and documents. AT&T NetBond: provides a highly secure, scalable network connection to IBM's Cloud infrastructure services, SoftLayer. IBM Cloud: the SoftLayer infrastructure secures...

ent to a glob

Samsung to Acquire Viv for AI Platform

Samsung Electronics Co. agreed to acquire Viv Labs, a start-up developing an artificial intelligence platform designed to be "the intelligent interface to everything." Financial terms were not disclosed.

Viv's AI platform will give third-party developers the power to use and build conversational assistants and integrate a natural language-based interface into renowned applications and services. The company said its strengths include a sophisticated natural language understanding, machine learning capabilities and strategic partnerships.

Viv was founded by AI visionaries Dag Kittlaus, Adam Cheyer and Chris Brigham. As part of the acquisition, the founding team will work closely with Samsung’s Mobile Communications business, but continue to operate independently under its existing leadership.

“Unlike other existing AI-based services, Viv has a sophisticated natural language understanding, machine learning capabilities and strategic partnerships that will enrich a broader service ecosystem,” said Injong Rhee, CTO of the Mobile Communications business at Samsung Electronics. “Viv was built with both consumers and developers in mind. This dual focus is also what attracted us to Viv as an ideal candidate to integrate with Samsung home appliances, wearables and more, as the paradigm of how we interact with technology shifts to intelligent interfaces and voice control.”

http://www.samsunggic.com
http://www.viv.ai

Using #AI to Mask Network Topology from Cyber Attackers

Cyber attacks are getting more automated, says Greg Fitzgerald, COO of newly-launched Javelin Networks, leading to the realization that breaches will occur no matter how many preventative measures have been taken. Javelin is using artificial intelligence to create a mask of the network topology and thereby deceive and expose attackers.

Filmed at #GlobalNetEvents16 in Saratoga, California.

See video: https://youtu.be/Wlj5jEa1B-A




AT&T Builds SD-WAN with VeloCloud

AT&T is rolling out an SD-WAN hybrid solution that combines multiple types of network access using technology from VeloCloud. The network-based solution will be available in 2017. VeloCloud is part of the AT&T Integrated Cloud ecosystem focused on the SD-WAN.

In addition to VeloCloud, AT&T said it plans to collaborate with more SD-WAN technology companies as part of its evolving ecosystem to support customers’ needs.

“Businesses need to satisfy increasing bandwidth demands while reducing costs. That means network needs are evolving, too,” said Rick Hubbard, senior vice president, AT&T Network Product Management. “This initiative is part of our software-centric strategy that gives our customers more flexibility and control of their networking services.”

http://www.att.com/vpn
http://about.att.com/story/att_unveils_sd_wan_hybrid_networking_strategy.html

 VeloCloud Raises $27 Million for SD-WAN, Including Cisco Investment


VeloCloud Networks, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, closed $27 million in Series C financing for its cloud SD-WAN solution. VeloCloud enable enterprises to rapidly, seamlessly and economically expand their wide area networks to support application growth, network agility and simplified branch implementations, while delivering optimized access to cloud datacenters and applications. The company reports rapid adoption of its SD-WAN solution...

Comcast Announces machineQ IoT Service

Comcast announced machineQ, a new business trial venture for the Internet of Things (IoT).

As a part of machineQ, Comcast will work with select commercial partners in proof of concepts to use its network to enable partners to gather, transmit, and analyze data from connected devices distributed throughout their organizations.

Comcast's machineQ will use Semtech's LoRa Wireless Radio Frequency Technology to deploy network trials in Philadelphia and San Francisco later this year. Target applications include utility metering, environmental monitoring (e.g., temperature, pollution, noise), and asset tracking through LoRa Technology-enabled devices and network services.

"We believe the business-to-business segment of the Internet of Things market is going to expand rapidly over the next decade as businesses look to IoT-based technology to manage their businesses in a more effective and sophisticated manner," said Sam Schwartz, Chief Business Development Officer, Comcast Cable. "Technologies such as LoRa are setting the stage for the era of connected devices, and we think our network potentially has a role to play in connecting the millions of internet-enabled devices deployed within enterprises.”

http://www.semtech.com
http://www.comcastcorporation.com

Microsoft has Invested US$3 Billion in European Cloud Infrastructure

Speaking at a company event in Dublin, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that Microsoft has more than doubled its cloud capacity in Europe in the past year.

Microsoft has invested over US$3 billion across Europe to date.  Earlier this week, the company revealed that it intends to deliver the Microsoft Cloud from data centers in France starting in 2017.

“We continue to invest heavily in cloud infrastructure to meet the growing demand from European customers and partners,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “Building a global, trusted, intelligent cloud platform is core to our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. There’s never been a better time for organizations across Europe to seize new growth and opportunity with the Microsoft Cloud.”

https://news.microsoft.com/2016/10/03/microsoft-increases-european-cloud-investment-to-3-billion-unveils-cloud-policy-recommendations/