Today, Mercedes-Benz starts a beta program to test Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service chatbot as an enhanced voice response feature. Those with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) can opt in. Question: how many lawyers will contact the first person who has an accident while using the system?
News from Cisco Live. Cisco’s new security service edge tools better protect hybrid work experiences, and the Security Cloud now includes generative AI capabilities to simplify security operations.
Cisco also spread some generative AI enhancements across its collaboration and security portfolios, including summarization tools in Webex and simplified policy management.
Speaking of Webex, Cisco and AT&T partnered to improve mobility tools by extending Webex Calling features to AT&T mobile phones via a single business phone number. Dial Webex Go with AT&T.
Cisco also unveiled a new program, working with an ecosystem of partners, called the Cisco Full-Stack Observability (FSO) Platform that pulls and displays data from multiple domains.
Last but not least, Cisco Panoptica will provide end-to-end lifecycle protection for cloud native application environments. A new Attack Path Engine makes it easier to secure hybrid cloud applications.
Security news. Trend Micro rolled out a new Trend Vision One platform release with a long list of goodies for, including attack surface risk management, cross-layer protection, and revved up AI-powered XDR.
Your never-ending patch to-do list needs help, and one option is NinjaOne Patch Management, just turbo-charged with improvements like a new dashboard, Linux and Mac third-party patching tools, and scheduling flexibility.
The new Okta Device Access extends Okta’s IAM capabilities to provide identity and access management across a corporate hybrid workforce.
Spotlight on the new NETSCOUT Visibility Without Borders platform. Performance, security, and availability thanks to one common data framework
So easy a manager can do it, the CrowdStrike “1-Click XDR” feature identifies and secures unprotected cloud workloads with the CrowdStrike Falcon agent.
Keeper Security now supports storing passkeys in the Keeper Vault. But wait, there’s more! Mac users should check out the new Keeper for Safari browser extension.
The new GoTo Resolve Endpoint Protection security add-on for GoTo Resolve’s suite of IT management tools, powered by Bitdefender, offers quick and full scans, up-to-date virus definitions, and more.
High Wire Networks pulled the curtain on its new Overwatch Cyber Warranty Program, which provides expedited reimbursement for cyberattack remediation.
U.S.-based customers enrolled in the Arctic Wolf Security Operations Warranty now have the ability to purchase a $1 million fixed-fee cyberinsurance policy from Cysurance at a high discount.
eSentire extended its on-premises network software to AWS cloud environments with a SaaS-based program called MDR for Network on AWS.
KnowBe4 has partnered with the Center for Cyber Safety and Education on a new $10,000 Military, Veteran, and Spouses Cybersecurity Scholarship.
Deep Instinct beefed up its exec team with the addition of Jim Ortbals as vice president, Americas channel and Ryan Vaupel as vice president, operations.
IoT news. Our friends at Parks Associates offer guidance for IoT security and access providers to multi-dwelling units, whether concentrated high-rise or spread-out low-rise developments.
For those still educating clients and prospects on IoT security, Built In has a good primer.
Europeans in search of a car with a bucket of entertainment should test drive a new Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis model with in-car streaming and entertainment provided by Vodaphone.
Every building has some HVAC system in place, and ACHR News offers up the Top 5 IoT applications in the HVAC industry.
Jokes about our robot overlords notwithstanding, Analytics Insight explains the growing mashup of IoT and robots called the Internet of Robotic Things.
Other product news. If you have to go back to the office (meaning meetings), at least have some way to wow bored attendees. Try the new ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP1055 interactive display with native 5K resolution and wireless content sharing. And donuts with sprinkles.
Small and midsize collaboration spaces always need better AV, right? Two new Sennheiser soundbars, the TeamConnect Bar S for small spaces and TeamConnect Bar M for medium ones (pictured), bring better microphones and speakers. And donuts?
Schlepping laptops to the office gets old and fighting with cables and connections even older even faster. Hello to the new Kensington SD5765T Thunderbolt 4 Dual 4K Docking Station for easy laptop hookups.
The server boffins at Supermicro have equipped their entire line of H13 AMD based systems to support 4th Gen AMD EPYC processors based on Zen 4c architectures, and 4th Gen AMD EPYC processors with AMD 3D V-Cache technology.
Addigy just made its MDM Watchdog Utility, which works on multiple MDMs, a free download to make sure stuck endpoint patching processes get unstuck.
MSPs that provide compliance management should demo the new Apptega Edge, which also helps with cyber insurance.
Non-product vendor news. New business cards are waiting on the desk of Kurt Abrahams (pictured), who just got promoted to chief marketing officer at MSP360.
The red carpet to the door of Cyolo is for Jason Schaaf, who joins as chief revenue officer.
Valimail and Pax8 partnered to offer Valimail’s zero-trust email authentication product to MSPs through the Pax8 Marketplace.
MSPCFO and Pax8 partnered to offer MSPCFO’s specialized business intelligence platform for MSPs through the Pax8 Marketplace.
Pax8 and Redstor teamed up to offer Redstor’s cloud backup and recovery for MSPs through, guess what, the Pax8 Marketplace.
Eureka Process spun off MSP Hire as a standalone entity to focus on recruiting and staffing needs for MSPs.
HP | Poly and Vyopta signed the papers to combine the audio and video equipment provider with better scheduling and reporting on meeting room use and technology deployed.
Auvik partnered with Delcom Group to offer its cloud management software to the K-12 school market.
Blancco Technology Group boosted its global partner program with enhanced benefits like better deal registration, priority partner initiatives, and a new rewards program.
This week’s stats ticker:
June is Backup Awareness Month. Arcserve commissioned Dimensional Research to survey IT decision makers, and 1,121 responded. The results shouldn’t be surprising: 75% of midsize companies experienced data loss within the last five years, 45% admitted they couldn’t recover all their data after such a loss, and only 24% have a well-documented, stringently tested, and up-to-date disaster recovery plan. Looking at midsize companies, 77% lack a clearly defined data resilience plan. Ten years ago, disaster recovery meant your organization suffered a fire or tornado or flooding, all things that happen rarely. Now, ransomware attackers pound your defenses every day of the week and can be just as devastating to your data as a fire or hurricane. Remember: nobody likes to talk about backup, but everyone loves data recovery, so lean on that.
Beyflation. Global inflation, thankfully, has been gradually lowering this year. Except in Sweden this past May. Why? Beyoncé.
Yes, Beyoncé. She started her world tour in Stockholm with two concerts in the middle of the month. Tens of thousands of fans flocked to the city to fill the 46,000 seats available for each show.
Who blamed the Queen? Chief economist for Sweden at Danske Bank Michael Grahn. “Beyoncé’s start of her world tour in Sweden seems to have colored May inflation.” Beat that, Swifties.
Image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood
