Smart Sync makes it easy for you to choose Zyxel Networks security
Like all the best ideas, the thinking behind the new Smart Sync feature that we introduced with the USG FLEX H series is very simple. We asked ourselves why, if customers or MSP partners want to switch between using the local management web console and our Nebula cloud management platform, would we make that any more difficult than it could or should be?
The answer – of course – is that we wouldn’t want to do that. On the contrary, we’d want to make it as easy as possible for admins to make use of both platforms and, instead of having to manually replicate everything, we’d want to make sure that whatever settings were applied in one are also reflected in the other, automatically.
This is exactly what we’ve done with Smart Sync. Moving between the local configurator and Nebula is now completely seamless, which saves time, reduces the chances of human error, and means you can leverage the benefits of both techniques as and when it suits you.
Why now?
This also begs the question of why we’d not done this before. The honest answer is that it’s really about the way that Nebula had developed – and our R&D process.
When we first launched Nebula, almost a decade ago, it had fairly simple functionality compared to what it offers today. There was no thought at that time of trying to replicate all the settings you could configure locally through the platform. That would not have been pragmatic – the differences in capability were too great. At that point, Nebula provided a convenient and simple way to monitor and adjust core controls on our devices. Detailed configuration needed to be done through the local interface.
As we’ve continued to develop our firewalls, we’d added more and more functionality into Nebula and it’s now an extremely capable and feature-rich platform. The gap between what you can do locally and through Nebula has narrowed considerably. The number of customers and MSPs making use of Nebula has grown exponentially over the last two years and we’ve seen more admins and technicians switching between local control and Nebula more often.
The right time
This, along with the customer feedback we’re always taking on-board, told us it was the right time to start synchronizing changes made through the local interface and in Nebula.
What’s really important though, is that Smart Sync is here and for MSPs and admins who are managing and using our USG FLEX H series firewalls, it provides the best of both worlds – the local control of our web interface and the flexibility and scalability of the Nebula cloud.
By making it easier to configure, manage and control our firewalls, we’re making it easier for customers to choose Zyxel Networks for their gateway protection and network security. If you would like to learn more about the USG FLEX H series and Smart Sync, please get in touch with us or get in contact with your nearest Zyxel Networks partner.
