Intel Corporation has launched its AppUp Small Business Service, which enables server manufacturers, software vendors and service providers to offer small businesses the advantages of cloud computing, but with applications and data running on their own premises.
Enabled by the Intel Hybrid Cloud platform, the service represents a new business model for Intel, the company said in a statement.
The solution consists of a server, a catalogue of pre-packaged small business applications from a broad range of software providers and Intel-developed software to securely manage and track use of the application software.
Small business customers access the solution through service providers, paying on a monthly basis for the software they use, just like in the cloud, but getting the responsiveness and control of running their applications and data onsite, Intel said.
“We developed the Intel AppUp Small Business Service to build a foundation on which the industry can innovate and provide small business customers with a more convenient, secure and high-performance experience,” said the Intel Hybrid Cloud General Manager, Mr Bridget Karlin.
“Small businesses are the ultimate beneficiaries because this service gives them a compelling new option for improving their business results through IT. This Intel-based solution comes ready to use and doesn’t require their own IT staff or the capital cost of a server,” Mr Karlin said.
The service’s “innovations” include use of a subscription-based delivery model for software applications, Intel added.