BYOD-ing with my Windows desktop, courtesy of nivio, on my personal MacBook.

As any marketer should, I watch streams of Twitter hashtags and have Google Alerts set up to monitor topics in our business area. For nivio, this means I keep a close eye on #daas (desktops as a service) #SMB (small-medium business), #VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure), #BYOD (bring your own device), among others.

Of these feeds, BYOD is by far the most interesting. Reporters and analysts offer advice on how to write BYOD policies, debate whether BYOD really saves money, and point to a variety of complicated solutions to the BYOD problem. But what do small business really need to know about BYOD?

Not to tattle, but your staff are already BYOD-ing

If your staff use personal devices for work, either as their primary system or when they work remotely via laptop, tablet, or smartphone, your business, too, is part of the BYOD trend. And, you’re far from alone, according to Spiceworks’ State of the SMB survey, more than 75% of small businesses are actively managing personal devices as part of their IT strategy.

If not managed properly, BYOD is a risk to your security

Creating policies that limit remote access could deter staff and reduce risk, but are unenforceable without additional IT infrastructure — and, if you run a small business, IT support is likely already in short supply. Plus, employees want remote access for flexibility in when, where, and how they work. They want to get information while on the go. And they don’t want to juggle a company smartphone and tablet along with their own personal devices.

Businesses need to make sure data is secure and that the company isn’t exposed to undue risk by allowing remote access. You need to integrate existing systems with personal devices, facilitate remote access for employees, and help trouble shoot problems on those devices when they occur. Perhaps most importantly, this all needs to happen in a cost-effective way.

Finding a BYOD solution doesn’t have to be hard

For SMBs with limited staff and budgets, sorting through the options and implementing technology solutions can be daunting. Generally, businesses have two options for mobile security:

1. Mobile device management (MDM) systems
2. Comprehensive IT management platforms

MDM solutions that address security at the device level could be a good fit for fit for organizations with substantial existing infrastructure and staff to implement. However, most SMBs with limited IT resources are better off with a comprehensive IT platform that looks beyond just mobile devices and manages security across platforms and to enable “anywhere access” through virtualization or cloud-based platforms — and nivio’s secure platform provides just that.

From the ground up, nivio for business was built to provide access on any device so employees no longer have to lug laptops home and aren’t limited to working on just one computer. For business, mixing legacy and personal devices is no longer a concern because desktops aren’t tied to a single machine and will work on nearly any device, no matter the operating system. And, all information and data stored on nivio is secure against viruses, malware, security breaches and other threats using an array of security systems.

Is there really a cost savings? 

Yes, there can be, but, of course, each business will have to look at the numbers. Depending on if BYOD is your primary method of equipping staff, the internal BYOD policies you create, and the systems you implement, you can save on hardware, but also on software and maintenance that goes along with running a fleet of devices.

PALO ALTO, CA, Dec. 13, 2012 – Nivio, a cloud computing company providing IT solutions to small and medium businesses, announced the release of its new comprehensive IT offering, Nivio for business. The integrated platform combines Windows desktops, networked storage, easy user management, and an app store that enables instant provisioning of essential business applications such as Microsoft Office.

Nivio for business addresses a prominent issue for all organizations: mobile access. With analysts projecting tablet sales in excess of 1.2 billion in 2013, all SMBs are trying cope with providing a consistent BYOD strategy without threatening security or adding complexity. Nivio users can quickly and easily access their cloud-based Windows desktop, plus all their files and software, on nearly any device; from iOS and Android tablets and smartphones to Chromebooks, Kindle Fires, and even public or shared computers.

Nivio provides maintenance, security, licensing, and upgrades. All business IT needs are covered end-to-end with minimal setup or management. “SMBs are faced with technology problems that are increasingly complex and costly to manage – everything from BYOD and mobile access, to dealing with security threats and different versions of different software,” said Frank Houghton, CEO of Nivio. “Solving these challenges is nearly impossible without a dedicated IT department, and few SMBs have that luxury. Using Nivio, businesses can concentrate on what they do well and leave the rest to us.”

From an IT standpoint, setting up an office could easily take days, but with Nivio, businesses can get set up in minutes without any hardware or infrastructure. Administrators can use the control panel interface to add users, set storage permissions, and instantly give staff access to more than 40 software applications and suites like Microsoft Office. The end-user just logs in to Nivio to access their Windows computing experience on the device of their choosing.

Mobile and remote access is also a seamless experience. Users simply download a small app to their device or log in to their Nivio account through the HTML 5 web interface to access their fully-functional Windows desktop, files, and full versions of all their software.

In the face of a rapidly changing technology environment, SMBs need reliable systems at a fixed cost. “With Google charging for Google Apps, it only underscores the importance of what SMBs have known all along: that having a premium and reliable service available when you need it is worth paying for. The SMB is an important market sector for technology as they tend to be more nimble and take savvy approaches to solving every day business problems,” said Houghton. “Online productivity applications have their place, but typically offer a compromised experience. Users need a seamless experience where they can easily interact with other applications; a Windows-based hosted desktop with integrated shared storage and mobile device support. Nivio does just that.”

Product highlights:

• Create virtual Windows desktops on-demand as businesses add users.
• Windows with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more on nearly any device via a downloaded application (for iOS, Android, PCs, and Mac), or via the Nivio HTML 5 web interface.
• Rent software, including Microsoft Office, for low monthly fees. Rent it by the month only when it is needed. All software provisioned within Nivio is fully licensed with all updates and maintenance managed are covered.
• Manage accounts with the administrative control panel interface. Create new desktops, provision software, manage storage and permissions, monitor usage, and run reports.
• Built-in networked storage via the company share virtual file server. Store and share files, set access permissions, and add storage as your business grows.
• Share files via nDrive, our built-in file sharing and storage functionality which synchronizes files across devices, and makes sharing and collaborating easy.
• Nivio customer support is available around the clock to all customers at no added cost.
• Data, files, and activities are protected against viruses, malware and security breaches, so staff can access data anywhere with confidence.

About Nivio

Nivio, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with offices in the UK, India, and Australia, is a cloud-computing company focused on solving the everyday technology needs of businesses. Launched in 2012, the company’s goal is to provide a cost-effective platform that makes setting up and managing essential business technology for your office as easy as using your TV or phone.

Media Contact:

Anna Cahill Leonard
415.866.3663
anna@thehaloagency.com

Company Contact:

Lara Franklin
lfranklin@nivio.com

What if you’re looking for more: an end-to-end computing solution for your company that’s as easy to use as an app and accessible everywhere? When we built nivio, we looked beyond the capability to complete singular tasks and focused on delivering a complete package that takes access and apps, and adds an entire office’s worth of tech infrastructure on demand.

Anywhere access is now everything access

There’s access to files, then there’s being able to actually do something with those files. Instead of only being able to view that Excel doc on your tablet and making a note to remember to make changes when you’re in the office tomorrow, nivio lets you make changes right there, on your tablet, using Microsoft Excel. Then save it to your shared file server. No delays or multiple apps to juggle – it’s a completely integrated experience: your desktop with your software, applications, files, and integrated storage – all available and synchronized across your devices so you don’t just have access, you have everything you need.

nivio is an app for that

Think of nivio as the ultimate app – it works on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, and it gives you access to your Windows desktop, files, software, and applications. Unlike your email app that just does one task, the nivio app is your fully functional Windows desktop experience wherever you need it. Plus, get more applications and software on-demand through nivio’s app store.

Access + apps + desktops + user management + storage = nivio

Beyond taking access and apps to the next level, we wanted to develop a solution that addressed the day-to-day technology problems facing all kinds of businesses,  from nonprofits, charities and start-ups to established organizations: managing multiple users and file servers, and provisioning staff with the software and tools they need to do their jobs. Our goal was to make accessing and managing your business’s technology as easy as using an app – an entire office system on demand.

Give us a try and let us know your thoughts below or at howamidriving@nivio.com.

What’s new in nivio for business?

Easy User Management:
The admin interface (we call this nBusiness) lets administrators give employees their own Windows desktop; then add software, manage storage allotments, and control permissions for shared folders and files.

Company Share File Server:
All users on a nivio for business account have access to their company’s file server called the Company Share. You can create folders and subfolders and set read/write permissions for each user.

Essential Business Software:
We’ve added your essential office software to the nApps store — Microsoft Office Standard and Professional, Skype, Adobe Reader, Evernote — more than 40 paid and free software applications. And, we’re adding more all the time.

Plus, with nivio for business users can access their Windows desktops, software, and files anywhere, on any device – PC, Mac, tablet, smartphone, iOS, or Android.

Sound interesting? Contact sales for a 14-day free trail.

Within nivio, you’re actively protected against viruses, malware, and security breaches. We use an array of security systems including encryption, firewalls, and big burly security guards to keep you and your information safe.

Hold on to your hats, we’re about to get technical. 

Online security

nivio uses on-the-move-data encryption, meaning, we’re protecting your data and information when you’re logged in to nivio, syncing data. That data synchronization is done exclusively over secure channels using controlled system administrator accounts and passive storage pods so not only is your data safe, it’s also mirrored in case of corruption.

Because we’re never satisfied, we conduct regular penetration tests to make sure we’re proactively protecting against known and emerging threats. We have state-of-the-art intrusion detection and firewalling on all systems.

Beyond your data, we protect your online privacy: all information transactions are fed through a PCI-compliant gateway.

Physical security

Here’s where the security guards come in – our servers are in secure locations in the United States (with Rackspace and Amazon) where they are physically protected by top-of-the-line security. Additionally, both Rackspace and Amazon are regularly audited for (and pass) SAS 70 compliance.

Norton’s giving me warnings, are you sure you’re safe?

If you’re installing nivio on a Windows-based computer with the most recent Symantec Norton versions, you may receive security alerts. We promise, we’re 100% safe and legit. nivio’s still a pretty new service and we’re in the midst of getting Symantec’s stamp of approval.

Still have questions? Let us know here, and check out our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Though dull, they have lots of great information. And, don’t forget to check our Customer Support portal at http://helpme.nivio.com/.

Most users will notice more instant response times when web browsing, using Microsoft Office apps, watching video, listening to audio, and throughout your nivio experience. You’ll see a difference using nDesktop through the app and on any device — your tablet, PC, Mac, smartphone, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, and beyond … Enjoy faster computing!

Noticing a difference? Let us know!

Kate gives an overview of nivio’s many features including access to your Windows desktop on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Chromebook devices — PCs, tablet, or smartphone; the nApp store, which gives one-click access to software like Microsoft Office, free for 30 days; and the 10gb of free storage.

“This wasn’t released last month when we did your paperless office special, but if it had been it would have been a perfect addition to the mobile toolbox,” says Kate.

We couldn’t agree more!

Watch the review — the nivio segment starts at the 1.12 mark.

Concerns about legality of Windows and Office in applications from our competitors CloudOn and Onlive are being praised by tech journalist, research firms, and Microsoft.  See Brianmadden.com,  Gartner,  atarstechnica.com, and  Joe Matz at Microsoft.

We’re proud to say that when you use nivio, you’re using 100% legal, licensed software — in your Windows desktop experience, when you launch Microsoft Office, and with all software and apps available throughout the nApps store.

We want you to have all the access you need — and we recognize the need to be completely legal and licensed. Not only  for the security and integrity of your information and data, but also for the longevity and reliability of the service we provide.

1. Licensing Windows the right way for the cloud / DaaS : We license Microsoft Products under an agreement called SPLA, the Service Provider License Agreement, and we use the Windows 2008 R2 Server to deliver a Windows-7-like experience.  It’s worth mentioning that Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2 share the same codebase (this means they are actually built on the same DNA) and so for all intents and purposes the experience to the user is the same.  Here is a screenshot of nivio nDesktop running Windows 2008 R2 in a Browser and the Loading Screen to show its server:

2. How do we deliver Microsoft Office?

We run it in the cloud on the Windows 2008 R2 Server and use the Remote Desktop Services (enhanced by some of our geeky tech) to any client that is connected to the internet including any HTML 5 Browser. We report this to Microsoft under SPLA and give 30 days (and in some occasions 60 days) free.  This free period is provided through our SPLA partnership with Microsoft.

3. It’s in our philosophy – more than licensing

We know that in using nivio our customers are adopting a new platform and trusting us to take care of the details — licensing, infrastructure, support, updates and more. It’s important to us as a company that we’re keeping the user’s best interested in mind. For us the best way to do that is to make sure all of our services run fully-licensed, legal and current software and to be transparent about our commitment to giving you a fully functional, licensed, secure and worry-free computing experience.

In addition to spreading the news about nivio we were keeping our eyes out for new and interesting tech. We spotted a new app for the iPad that contains key tools to help small and medium-sized businesses learn more about the benefits and risks of cloud computing. The interactive app includes case studies and interviews with cloud experts and addresses key debates like public vs private cloud and the options that would best suit different SMBs.

And this recent survey by the consultancy Avanade  found that 60 percent of the companies are adapting their IT infrastructure to accommodate employee’s personal devices, rather than restricting use of such devices.  91 percent of the executives surveyed say their IT department has the staff and resources needed to manage the use of consumer technologies.

Tweet This: nivio brings the magic back to computing: sign up your valentine and enter to win an iPad! http://us.nivio.com/

“Microsoft is committed to supporting  the efforts of our partners, including nivio, as it launches a global  desktop product with which users can experience Microsoft Windows and  Microsoft Office across all operating platforms,” said a spokesperson for Partner Hosting and Cloud Services at Microsoft. “This product is a clear sign of nivio’s commitment to serving its SMB customers and providing the latest solutions.”

On Valentine’s Day, all nivio services are accessible from any iPad, Android, Mac, Chromebook or Windows device. Users may access a personalized desktop in seconds and, with nivio’s custom App-Store (nApps), rent applications such as the complete Microsoft Office productivity suite. After a 30-day free trial, nivio is offering month-to-month plans. Users also benefit from 10GB free synchronized online storage for life through the nDrive.

“nivio makes software built for Windows available on any screen, instantly. Whether users are on an old or new device, they can run the latest Windows OS, Microsoft Office and additional powerful apps from the Cloud using nivio.,” said Sachin Dev Duggal,  co-founder and chief wizard at nivio.

Users may visit www.nivio.com for more information or to register for the free beta trial. For a limited time, registrants who recommend Facebook friends into the trial will receive preferential ranking for their beta start date. See nivio.comfor details.

About nivio
nivio is a global start-up providing always-on access to desktop applications, data and a the familiar Windows  OS environment from anywhere in the world, on almost any device, - Mac or PC, aAndroid tablet, Chromebook or , iPad, notebook or netbook.

nivio’s game-changing business model enables subscribers to pay only for what they need when they need it. nivio’s integrated technology platform with unique IP maximizes capacity, availability and flexibility, while minimizing latency for both storage and application access through an easy-to-use app store. For more information, visit www.nivio.com.

nivio was founded by two best friends who want to educate 100 million children over the course of 50 years with their foundation – Sachin & Saurabh. This is what started the journey and what the team at nivio calls their enabled vision. In 2011, the duo paired up with Alicia Keys and her organization, Keep a Child Alive (KCA), for the eighth annual Black Ball NY where they raised $3.5 million for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

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Media Contact:
Sam Hallock
Schwartz MSL for nivio
415-817-2500
nivio@schwartzmsl.com