Symantec testing next generation cloud computing concepts

Symantec Corp. hs announced the availability of the Symantec GoEverywhere beta, a secure online workspace that allows users to access their Web applications using most any device enabled with a Web browser.

GoEverywhere is an innovation from the new business incubator, a Symantec organization that invests and develops emerging business opportunities.

Symantec says the GoEverywhere beta provides small businesses and individuals a secure, scalable and worry-free computing environment that reduces costs relating to hardware, software, storage and IT management. The beta service allows customers to reach their online Web applications from a centralized location and choose from a selection of third-party Web-based applications for word processing, slide making, spreadsheet work and Web-based email. GoEverywhere removes the need to switch between multiple websites to access preferred Web-based applications and eases online file management by providing a single aggregated view of multiple third-party online storage accounts.

The platform is hardware and operating system independent, requiring only an Internet browser for access.

GoEverywhere's approach to secure computing uses multi-level password encryption and two-factor authentication to access the GoEverywhere workspace from any computer location. GoEverywhere's 'Single Sign-On' functionality provides simplified password management making access to online services convenient and easy to manage. Single Sign-On allows customers to securely log onto their workspace and immediately access most of their Web applications and accounts without additional log-ins or passwords.

"As the use of Web-based applications increase, there is a need for our desktop or computing environment to also adjust and become web-based. We believe this will lead to a paradigm shift in desktop computing," said Don Kleinschnitz, vice president and general manager Symantec GoEverywhere. "The GoEverywhere beta is incorporating next-generation cloud computing and Web 2.0 concepts in innovative ways to enhance customers' choice of how and when they want to access information."