Google Apps for Work Connector
New in the Univention App Center: Microsoft Office 365 Connector
How Cloud Service Providers Can Offer Integrated Applications with Real Value for Enterprises
In this post, I want to help answering the question how cloud and managed service providers can help end user organizations to move faster and more decisively into the cloud. This is of major relevance for the growth of all CSPs and MSPs and a requirement for every provider who wants to be able to compete against the large players like Amazon and Microsoft.
Why bother?
The first question of cause is: Do organizations want to move into the cloud at all? Especially with their internal applications like collaboration software or ERP systems? And as a consequence: Is there an opportunity for service providers at all?
What Does it Imply for Support if a Vendor Moves from On-premise to Cloud-based Products?
As many software companies move their products to cloud-based offerings, the question comes up: where is the difference between supporting cloud-based products and supporting on-premise products? Talking to customers and partners over the last couple of months I’ve made some notices which I want to share with you.
Don’t let them take you hostage
How to back up data from Linux and Windows machines centrally with Bareos and restore them in case of disaster.
Performing periodic backups in computer networks is indispensable. In times of Locky and other ransomware backups are often the only option left to regain access to your data. Nevertheless, for backups to be effective against these types of threats, a number of aspects have to be considered.
Univention & TecArt publish app bundle with Docker integration
In our App Center the new TecArt app, the first application based on the state-of-the-art “Docker” container technology for operation in UCS is now available. The app is stored in an isolated container, making it possible to run different software applications in the same server environment without conflicts.
I am glad, that TecArt is the first developer using our new Docker integration in the App Center. 
The encapsulation via Docker allows TecArt to satisfy the specific requirements on essential software libraries and their versions via the App Center without any complex maneuvers or additional efforts.
New in UCS 4.1: Docker Apps for the Univention App Center
Version 4.1 of Univention Corporate Server supports Docker Apps from within the App Center. However, firstly lets have a look back on how the App Center has developed over the last years to better explain the reasons why we decided to support Docker. Afterwards, we will have a quick look at the technical details of the implementation within UCS before discussing what the advantages for app vendors and, most importantly, users are. Lastly, I will be happy to give a quick peek into what the future has in store for the App Center.
Single Sign-On for UCS 4.1
In order to be able to guarantee the seamless integration of apps in the identity management system provided by UCS even more proficiently, we have now implemented a single sign-on for UCS function in Version 4.1. of Univention Corporate Server. Single sign-on allows a user who has authenticated himself once on an identity provider to use a wide variety of other services without the need to sign on to each of these additional services individually.
Data Security Thanks to Multiple-Factor Authentication in UCS with privacyIDEA + SAML
How can companies make access to their networks and applications securer and more user-friendly at the same time? What’s behind the terms SAML, multiple-factor authentication and single sign-on in this context? Cornelius Kölbel, Managing Director of our partner NetKnights, took the time to explain these technologies to us and illustrate how you can use the multiple-factor authentication solution privacyIDEA and SAML to set up a secure network on UCS plus saving employees time when signing in.
Moving your business to the cloud?
According to a survey conducted by analyst firm Statista GmbH, 44 percent of German companies have moved their business to the cloud. During the last couple of years, many cloud providers have developed different applications and the upward trend will remain steady. Our development-team from Sweden designed the business software Fortnox already in 2001, so we can confirm that the trend of moving businesses to the cloud is an upward trend. Especially, the future development is crucial because the requirements for cloud providers are growing continuously. Plenty of new suppliers are entering the cloud market every day, so the competition is increasingly high. Providers of cloud solutions have to stand out with new and innovative products otherwise they will leave the cloud market as fast as they entered it.