User:FurchtloserJosefWolf/CloudConnect Draft

CloudConnect is a privately held information technology company that provides a virtual management framework for IT professionals and Managed service providers. This framework includes software that allows these professionals to deploy complete virtual network environments including servers, desktops, and applications. CloudConnect also provides data backup, replication, and disaster recovery. The virtual environment is built using VMware and delivered to the end user via either Citrix or Remote Desktop Service. The company's headquarters is based in Natick, Massachuesetts. The name "CloudConnect" stems from the idea that in order to reliably utilize and deliver cloud services one needs to be "connected" either via a smart phone mobile device, or traditional laptop computer.

History
While working on the IT department at his family's contracting business, Michael Guigli came into work one morning and found a Small Business Server's hard drive crashed. Realizing the impact of downtime on a business, he developed a private cloud platform utilizing VMware vSphere to improve the reliability of the company's IT infrastructure. The private cloud had an immediate positive impact on the business' productivity. Seeing this benefit first hand, Guigli began research into augmenting the platform into a multi-tenant solution that could provide virtual private cloud as a service. In 2010, he took this solution to market founding Virtulan Corporation. Virtulan was subsequently renamed CloudConnect in July of 2010.

The initial release in 2010 was based on VMware vSphere 4.1 and Citrix XenDesktop 4.

An incremental release in 2011 upgraded the virtualization layer to vSphere 5 and transitioned the application delivery layer to Citrix XenApp 6.5 for streamlined management and licensing compliance automation.

In 2015, a comprehensive augmentation was announced that added VMware vCloud Director as the cloud fabric controller, and tight integration with the Citrix FMA platform to support multiple versions of Windows and tenant self-service enrollment in these services.

In 2016, a method for migrating active directory domain services to CloudConnect infrastructure was published.

The platform utilizes several patent-pending networking "tricks" to enable customers to retain full and secure control of their network and Kerberos realm, while enabling cross-realm authentication for Remote Desktop services.

CloudConnect is a Microsoft SPLA partner, Citrix Cloud Service Provider, and a VMware vCloud Air Network professional service provider.

CloudConnect's products and services include:


 * Infrastructure as a Service
 * Desktop as a Sevice
 * Network Function Virtualization
 * Desktop Image Construction
 * DesktopConfig
 * WorkstationConfig
 * DomainControllerConfig
 * Microsoft Volume License Distribution and Compliance Automation
 * Disaster Recovery as a Service
 * Software Defined Datacenter as a Service
 * Windows Network as a Service

Because of the technical sophistication of the CloudConnect platform, CloudConnect services are only made available to business customers through authorized IT resellers and Manages Service Providers who have passed technical training and demonstrated competency.

Awards and Honors

 * 2013 Best Cloud Solution at TMC's ITExpo, Miami, FL
 * 2014 ChannelPro SMB All-Star
 * Best Cloud Solution at MSPWorld Orland, FL 2014
 * Best Cloud Solution Award at ASCII Summit 2015 in Miami, FL
 * Best Cloud-Based Solution at ChannelPro SMB Forum 2015 in Baltimore, MD
 * Best Technical Demo at ASCII SMB Forum, Newport, RI 2016
 * Best Cloud Solution, Best Solution Presentation, and Best in Show at ChannelPro Forum Boston, MA 2016