MSPAlliance: Interloci recently changed directions by becoming a hardware vendor. What prompted this change?
Gordon Garrett: We’re really a hardware/software vendor. We developed code or integrated open source code to provide a full function network management/intrusion system, NetWorksA-OK, that runs on an appliance (1u server) to lessen the cost and to standardize the operations console and user displays for our MSP customers. We now offer it as a stand-alone product and will soon offer it through distribution channels such as CDW, PCMall and SoftChoice and other resellers.
MSPAlliance: Could you describe what NetWorksA-OK does?
Gordon Garrett: It has a full function console to provision and operate multiple networks. This along with the $2999 price should be particularly attractive to MSPs and Service providers.
It includes a complete IDS system that uses the same console and customer dashboard as the up down and network performance function
It has an easy to use Up Down & Network Performance dashboard that uses standard SNMP agents and Log Files to collect data in real time and stores it for historical and analysis purposes.
This includes default measurements for email, database and web servers plus the ability to add more as needed.
It is plug and play with automatic discovery of devices.
It has it’s own trouble ticketing built in. The Alerting and Thresholding system can also create an automatic ticket.
It operates behind the customer firewall with one way out https or a remote NOC.
Updates, new releases and support are $599 a year.
It has a 2-year warranty.
There is a complete demo on our web site.
MSPAlliance: How does this device differ from the other network appliance monitoring tools?
Gordon Garrett: We think so. This type of function usually requires several different products that even from the same vendor often require significant integration and have a different look and feel. Most are written for the enterprise, making multiple network or customer use difficult. Few if any include IDS and trouble ticketing, to say nothing about the cost for all this function.
MSPAlliance: Is this device geared more towards the service provider or the end-user?
Gordon Garrett: Either, but we developed it for our own MSP use which explains the rich function and low cost. So service providers should love it. The Small and Medium market love the function and price too.
MSPAlliance: Is Interloci still providing any of its old services in conjunction with this new appliance?
Gordon Garrett: We are for the short term but will transition our customers to their own appliance or a service provider using our appliance over time.
MSPAlliance: Do you look at NetWorksA-OK as a cost-cutting measure for today’s service providers?
Gordon Garrett: It certainly can accomplish this goal. It did for us. It replaced hundreds of thousands of dollars of software. Our monthly maintenance costs were close to the total cost of our appliance.
MSPAlliance: Is Interloci looking to expand its partnerships in any particular area?
Gordon Garrett: Yes we are looking for partners to sell our product as well as service providers to use it in their business. Our web site has much more information for potential business partners.
MSPAlliance: What is Interloci hoping to achieve for the rest of the year?
Gordon Garrett: We will concentrate on establishing our distribution channels as well as improving our product as we get market feedback.