Channelnomics

Cloud Computing

  • Gartner: BI Could Solve Most IT issues (0)May 20, 2013The analyst's research shows 15 of the top 19 business processes that need upgrading can be addressed with business intelligence.
  • 5 Things to Know About Channel Profitability (0)May 20, 2013Despite marketplace challenges and shifting business models, solution providers remain exceedingly profitable, as services fill their wallets with cash. The 2112 Group’s 'Profitability in the Channel' report reveals key trends about solution provider profitability. Here are five things you need to know.
  • Adobe Cloud-only Model Comes Under Fire (3)May 17, 2013Adobe is being accused, via an online campaign, of milking SMBs as it pursues cloud-only model on future Creative products.
  • Cisco Earnings Reveal Shift in Priorities (0)May 16, 2013Cisco Systems surprised the market yesterday by posting a 14.5 percent jump in profits on a 5 percent increase in sales. The spurt came from substantial shifts increases in non-switching and routing products, showing there is a shift in hardware buying priorities.
  • Netsuite Targets Manufacturing with New Release (0)May 16, 2013The Cloud-based ERP vendor goes after manufacturing, a sector CEO Zach Nelson calls “the last industry that hasn’t moved to the cloud” with new functionality in its flagship business management suite.
  • NetSuite: We’re Still in Early Days for Cloud (1)May 15, 2013The cloud-based ERP vendor has been working with the channel for more than a decade, but the full shift to the cloud has yet to be felt, the company’s channel chief says.
  • Avnet Introduces Ruggedized Mobile Data Center (0)May 14, 2013Avnet is hoping to capture the imagination of its channel partners with its VSPEX-based offering, which promises a converged architecture to work in harsh environments.
  • Rackspace Tells of Cloud Commoditization (1)May 14, 2013Rackspace remains profitable, but growth and margins are rapidly shrinking. The cost of expansion is part of the issue, but so, too, is pricing pressure by stiff competition. It’s a sign of commoditization in core cloud computing services brought on by the expansion of existing players and the entry of more formidable contenders.
  • ShoreTel CEO Blackmore to Resign (0)May 10, 2013The executive rumblings that shook up channel leadership at unified communications stalwart ShoreTel Inc. are apparently reverberating all the way to the corner office as CEO Peter Blackmore announces he'll retire as soon as a successor can be found.
  • Managed Services Growing at Double-Digit Rates (0)May 10, 2013The managed services segment will continue to grow at a double-digit rate over the next four years, as businesses turn to service offerings to fulfill their IT and telecommunications needs rather than expanding staffing and fixed overhead.
  • Outsourcery Targets More VARs in Recruitment Drive (0)May 10, 2013Cloud services provider Outsourcery is trying to recruit more VARs for its cloud products and services. The company claims there are more business and good margins available for the right partners.
  • WatchGuard Hyper-V Support Targets Enterprise (0)May 9, 2013UTM firm WatchGuard launched support for Microsoft Hyper-V customers, who will have access to the firm's spate of network security functions in virtual environments. It's a move that also gives WatchGuard a bigger foot in the door when targeting enterprise markets.
  • MSP Branches Out With New App Store (0)May 9, 2013Powersolution.com was an early adopter of a relatively new platform from SaaS Markets purpose-built for launching and running an app store available to clients of its growing practice.
  • EMC to Virtualize Any Storage With ViPR (0)May 8, 2013The storage vendor will offer unified management and related services not only to its own hardware, but also that of storage rivals and, ultimately, any generic storage gear.
  • Pivotal to Build Enterprise-Focused Channel (0)May 7, 2013Chief executive Paul Maritz says the EMC’s Big Data-focused spinoff will roll out its own channel program once its cloud platform debuts later this year, will target enterprise SIs and ISVs.
  • Huawei Turns on Charm With ICT Nation (0)May 7, 2013Huawei, the controversial Chinese hardware vendor accused representing a national security threat to the U.S., is looking to win friends and influence the industry with ICT Nation, a collaborative community of IT vendors, solution providers and CIOs.
  • Zenith Infotech Confident in Appeal Chances (0)May 7, 2013Zenith Infotech is scheduled to go before India regulators to appeal the barring of its officers from trading in the public stock markets. The company’s chairman, Rajkumar Saraf, says the Securities and Exchange Board of India overstepped its bounds. A loss could prove devastating to the cloud computing company.
  • GFI Debuts Scripting Site, Bolsters MSPs (0)May 6, 2013GFI Software is once again ramping up its managed services prowess with the launch of a community scripting site, which gives MSPs the ability to share scripts and solutions that better resolve SMB IT challenges.
  • Dell Snaps Up Enstratius for Cloud Management (0)May 6, 2013Dell is going even deeper into cloud management with the acquisition of Enstratius Inc., whose products should mesh well with similar capabilities in Active System Manager.
  • Microsoft: We’re Winning the Cloud War (0)May 3, 2013Microsoft claims ts competitors are "dwarfed" by the progress it's making in the cloud space as it announces it has signed its 125,000th Cloud Essentials (CE) reseller.
  • Carbonite’s Channel Efforts Showing Results (0)May 3, 2013In the crowded backup market, Carbonite – a company best known for its consumer backup services – is seeing growth and profitability accelerate by small business sales driven by its fledging channel.
  • After Missing Goals, IBM Looks to Get Lean (0)May 2, 2013IBM is looking to shed underperforming business units and products, trim jobs and cut expenses to reach its earnings goals. In the process, Big Blue will likely turn to channel partners for more support in selling and supporting cloud computing, Big Data and data protection products.
  • Tech Data Bulks Security Services Enablement (0)May 1, 2013Tech Data is arming partners with a comprehensive enablement tool that eases all functions and businesses processes associated with a managed security services businesses -- but several competitors are reaping the rewards of a strong head start in this space.
  • Juniper Taps New VP of Americas Partner Sales (0)May 1, 2013Juniper Networks this week made public its choice of a new head of partner sales for the Americas, introducing Christopher M. Jones to replace well-known channel executive Frank Vitagliano.
  • Barracuda Makes Application Controller Foray (0)April 30, 2013Barracuda Networks is making forays into the application delivery controller market, a move that positions the firm at the precipice of a burgeoning, and potentially profitable, niche for its partners.
  • New Channel Chief Points Sophos at Cloud (0)April 30, 2013Kendra Krause, the company’s new channel sales chief for the Americas, says Sophos will invest in new products and programs to support a cloud business model and an appeal to managed security service providers.
  • IndependenceIT Is Taking Partners to School (0)April 30, 2013The cloud services management platform provider this week introduced its iIT University which is up and running for all VARs, ISVs and MSPs enrolled in the company’s three-tiered partner program who are looking to make more money in the cloud.
  • Microsoft Azure Sales Surging Past $1B (0)April 30, 2013Microsoft may be struggling in mobility and operating systems, but its cloud strategy is taking root as Windows Azure sales topped $1 billion for the first time and is expected to keep growing. This is good news for the cloud market, as well as the vast Microsoft channel community.
  • CA Pursuing a Bifurcated Channel Strategy (0)April 29, 2013CA Technologies is in a renascence as it presses into cloud management and service provider automation solutions, looking to its core group of partners to drive success. On the other end, CA’s backup business -- ArcServe -- is pursuing a volume business in the midmarket. The question: Can the two coexist?
  • HP Betting Big on Simplifying Partner Relations (0)April 29, 2013Hewlett-Packard is investing in a unified partner-ordering and communications system designed to break down barriers between vendors' internal divisions, better facilitate horizontal system-ordering and provide easier access to product information.
  • GFI Bolsters Cloud With Patch Management (0)April 29, 2013GFI Software is leveraging patch management as a differentiator in its GFI Cloud platform. It's a move intended to give its channel greater SMB traction -- and profitability -- and bolsters its management prowess.
  • McAfee Embarks on IAM Foray (0)April 26, 2013McAfee is making forays into the IAM space -- or rather, the burgeoning cloud IAM space -- with new single sign-on and one-time password authentication tools that take aim at legacy players.
  • Dell Unites Channel Amid Software Push (0)April 25, 2013Dell -- calling itself a software and service company -- has come out swinging with releases around BI, mobility and productivity. But Round Rock underscores that its transformation wouldn't be complete without a unified channel.
  • Amazon Looks to Channel for Growth (0)April 25, 2013Amazon Web Services will use the channel -- rather than direct sales -- as the engine of its growth in the enterprise market.
  • Egnyte, NetApp Ink Channel Sales Deal (0)April 23, 2013Fresh off the launch of its channel program and a bump in venture capital funding last month, Egnyte announces a deal with NetApp that will see the file-sharing and synchronization specialist’s services sold through NetApp’s legion of resellers.
  • GFI Updates Boost Managed Services Prowess (0)April 22, 2013GFI Software may be in throes of redefining itself, but the firm is staying true to its SMB core customer base with a slew of feature tweaks to its managed services platform that take into account mobile and Mac OS X environments.
  • Dell Hosted E-mail Bolsters Services Push (0)April 22, 2013Dell is ramping up its security services with the latest version of its SonicWALL hosted e-mail security product, a launch that gives partners renewed entrance into a wide open SMB market.
  • CA CEO Looks to Channel to Accelerate Change (0)April 22, 2013At the annual CA World conference, CA Technologies unveiled a number of new products and strategic initiatives under its theme “Go Big.” For solution providers, CA is strutting new channel bravado, as it’s acknowledging the need for partners to take its cloud products to market.
  • 2112 Maps Channel Services Evolution (0)April 22, 2013The 2112 Group in collaboration with CA Technologies today announced findings from a recent study highlighting how IT and business services will change the value and composition of the IT channel for vendors and customers.
  • CA Boosts IAM With Cloud, Mobile Refresh (0)April 22, 2013CA Technologies is refreshing its identity and access management portfolio with a new cloud and mobile look and feel. CA's rejuvenated IAM investments indicates that the market is likely primed for an upsurge in growth,, propelled by compliance and the cloud.
  • Microsoft Earnings: Cloud Sails, Windows Flails (0)April 19, 2013Cloud offerings helped boost Microsoft's Q3 results, but senior management admits there is still "an immense amount of work to do" in the Windows division, where revenues stayed flat.
  • Report: Lenovo in Talks to Buy IBM Server Unit (0)April 19, 2013Published reports indicate Lenovo is in talks with IBM to buy its underperforming Series X low-end server business. If the deal comes to pass, it will fundamentally reshape the server market and channel.
  • Ponemon: Passwords Deter Web Access (0)April 19, 2013A Ponemon Institute study finds the vast majority of users tiring of usernames and passwords as authentication solutions. Passwords are often forgettable and easily hacked, which leaves a wide-open playing field for the channel to introduce replacement solutions.
  • Symantec Cloud Strategy Slow But Steady (2)April 18, 2013Symantec has been criticized by partners as being late to the cloud. Now the Mountain View, Calif., security firm is revving its cloud prowess with a bigger and more strategic entrance into cloud markets. The going will be slow for a while.
  • Otellini Recounts 40 Years of Change at Intel (0)April 18, 2013Exiting CEO Paul Otelleni’s walk down memory lane encapsulates the evolution of the tech giant from innovator and market dominator to a company forced to scrap and claw with more nimble rivals in the highly mobile, post-PC world.
  • Services Evolution Reshaping the Channel (0)April 18, 2013Cloud computing is forcing solution providers to rethink and reshape their business models. However, a new study by The 2112 Group and CA Technologies show cloud computing isn’t the end goal of services transformation. It goes much deeper.
  • Zenith Wins Short Repreive From Regulators (0)April 17, 2013Zenith Infotech has a little more time to come up with the money it needs to satisfy India regulators. The Securities Appellate Tribunal, the stock market regulatory equivalent to an appeals court, granted the cloud computing company a temporary stay until the next hearing in May.
  • PC Malaise Punishes Intel Profits in Q1 (0)April 17, 2013Battered by the same forces withering most of the technology giants, Intel suffers a 25 percent drop in its Q1 profits as it attempts to adjust to the rapidly changing face of IT. But it could have been worse.
  • Microsoft Taking on Amazon With Azure IaaS (0)April 17, 2013Microsoft launched its IaaS Azure platform in preview mode last summer, but claims today's full release will propel the product into a wave of new customers, which it hopes to lure away from nearest rival AWS.
  • AVG, Infrascale Union Spurs Backup Foray (0)April 16, 2013AVG is branching out with a new alliance: cloud data protection firm Infrascale. The union will give partners a stronger value-add and indicatesthe company will likely break out of its antivirus iron cast by forming more cloud-based partnerships.
  • Security Resellers Urged Toward Cloud (0)April 16, 2013Gartner urges security resellers to supplement their on-premises revenue with cloud-based alternatives in order to retain large customers who might otherwise spend with competitors.
  • IndependenceIT, N-Able Join Hands for MSPs (0)April 15, 2013IndependenceIT has an additional integration feather in its cap, thanks to a new collaboration deal with RMM and services automation specialist N-able Technologies.
  • ICANN Ruling Protects ‘.cloud’ for the Masses (0)April 15, 2013The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) has welcomed a decision which could see the exclusive sale of new Web domains such as ".cloud" scrapped.
  • Study: Cloud Requires Infrastructure Management (0)April 15, 2013A CA Technologies study found that despite the mad rush to adopt cloud and Big Data infrastructure, many organizations still lack converged infrastructure solutions necessary for its management and support. That gives partners a lot of room to provide behind-the-scenes services amid accelerating cloud trends.
  • Cloud Trends Put Accelerator on GRC (0)April 12, 2013Few can deny the area of governance, risk and compliance has experienced a revival over the last year, indicated by a dearth of new start-ups and legacy players touting innovative offerings. One of the biggest catalysts driving GRCs growth is the cloud.
  • ISVs Say Partners Vital to SaaS Success (1)April 12, 2013Survey: The majority of ISVs report their channel partner program will play a strategic role in growing SaaS revenues, and most say partners are vital to growing revenues from their SaaS products.
  • Synnex Making Big Push Into Mobility Market (0)April 12, 2013Synnex is joining other distributors in enabling solution providers to capitalize on the mobility trend by forming a new division that will give resellers products and support in selling devices, transport services and complementary technologies.
  • Gartner: IT Spending at ‘Turning Point’ (0)April 11, 2013This year is set to be the first in the past decade in which business decision-makers plan to significantly increase their IT investment, according to Gartner.
  • Dropbox Inches Toward B2B With Single Sign-On (0)April 11, 2013Henceforth, Dropbox for Teams shall be known as Dropbox for Business. While the title change probably isn’t enough to convince the skeptical that the traditionally consumer-focused service is enterprise-grade, the company’s latest step in a series of security enhancements might do the trick.
  • Ingram Bets On Hardware-as-a-Service (0)April 10, 2013Ingram Micro is launching a hardware-as-a-service program aimed at bolstering recurring channel revenue and broadening partners' service options. Partners, on the other hand, balk at the potential financial risks.
  • Ingram Micro Deepens Cloud Channel Push (0)April 10, 2013Ingram Micro is putting weight behind its services and cloud channel push with new hardware and telecom service programs, coupled with a slew of new cloud alliances. Why? More organizations are dealing with increasing cloud complexity, and they're looking to the channel for help.
  • Kaseya Bolsters IT Management, Revs Channel (0)April 9, 2013Kaseya International launched a set of free and paid tools that equip MSPs to build out IT management capabilities around auditing, reporting and patch management. That said, the automation solutions specialist will also be building out its channel, who will also be leveraging these tools to edge in on a growing managed services space.
  • Managed Security Growing, Morphing to Cloud (0)April 9, 2013Increasing threats by hackers and malware pushed the managed security services marketplace to a record high of $13 billion in 2012, according to research firm Infonetics. Over the next five years, managed security will grow 69 percent, but the source of those sales will look much different thanks to cloud computing.
  • Heavy Hitters Team Up on Open-Source SDN (0)April 9, 2013The OpenDaylight Project, founded by the non-profit Linux Foundation, aims to overcome the disjointed and increasingly stagnant development of SDN with the tried and true method of developing a community-led meritocracy around an open-source framework backed by the resources on the deepest pockets in the industry.
  • IM Network Revamp Boosts Channel Services (0)April 9, 2013At the Ingram Micro Cloud Summit 2013, the distributor debuted IM Link, a new professional online services tool that gives partners a boost in building out service portfolios, while setting the stage for future business transition.
  • HP Looks to Shake Off Funk With Moonshot (0)April 9, 2013HP's release party for their hyperscale Moonshot servers was filled with references to HP’s desire to help save the planet. The real question for partners is whether Moonshot can help save the struggling vendor.
  • Pace of Mobile Device Shift Increasing (1)April 8, 2013A new Gartner estimate shows conventional desktop and notebook PC shipments falling by one-fifth over the next four years, while tablets and smartphone sales skyrocket. The change will mean new opportunities and challenges for vendors and solution providers.
  • Tech M&A Surge Fueled by Fire Sales (0)April 8, 2013Struggling businesses taking part in quick deals have led to a surge in merger and acquisition activity in 2012, according to IDC, which claims that while sales of firms rose, valuations dropped.
  • Acronis Cloud Backup Targets Remote Workers (0)April 5, 2013Cloud backup and disaster recovery firm Acronis launched its Small Office: Cloud Server Backup product, aimed squarely at the smallest of the small SMBs -- the home office worker. It's a release that signals a mental channel shift around security and data protection as the number of remote workers continues to grow.
  • SAP Reaches $1B in the Channel (0)April 4, 2013The business software giant blows past internal marks for channel business, and its new North American channel chief outlines plans to keep growth going through 2013.
  • Logicalis Looks to Bolster Small MSPs (0)April 4, 2013Global systems integrator Logicalis is wadding into the SMB managed services market by offering smaller MSPs with assistance in technology delivery, finance and marketing. The program may signal a change among large integrators, recognizing the need to form multitier relationships to facilitate growth.
  • AvePoint Launch Indicates Cloud GRC Growth (0)April 3, 2013Governance risk compliance and management firm AvePoint is cultivating its own niche around the growing GRC market wit the launch of a solution geared for Microsoft Office 365 -- SharePoint Online users. Among other things, the launch represents the mammoth revival of GRC that is now causing the once stagnant market to fragment into more…
  • Centrify Adds Certs In Security, Privacy (0)April 2, 2013Centrify has onboarded two new cloud security and privacy certifications to its list of accolades. For the channel, that means security is a little less of a barrier to entry when engaging customers to cloud identity services sales.
  • PHD Adds DR With VirtualSharp Buy (0)April 2, 2013Virtual backup firm PHD Virtual just bolstered its capabilities with the acquisition of VirtualSharp Software, which now adds virtualized disaster recovery to channel portfolios as a relevant differentiator in a market experiencing explosive growth.
  • Intronis Names Tech Vet Rick Faulk New CEO (0)April 2, 2013Intronis named technology industry veteran Rick Faulk to lead the company as its new CEO, an important move toward executive stability at a cloud BCDR player that has crafted an aggressive channel program and seen double-digit annual growth despite a rash of leadership maneuvers over the past two years.
  • Organizations Struggle To Find Big Data Value (0)April 2, 2013A Cisco survey underscored that Big Data represents a glaring opportunity for organizations. That said, few organizations are equipped to adequately process Big Data to extract business value and achieve a competitive edge, representing an imminent frontier for the channel in the not too distant future.
  • Carbonite Database Backup Keeps SMB Focus (0)April 1, 2013Cloud backup firm Carbonite is maintaining its competitive edge in its core SMB market with the launch of its database backup product touted as an add-on to its existing solutions. The move is likely one of many differentiating measures for the Boston-based firm as cloud backup markets heat up
  • Dell Filings Reveal Pressure of Transformation (0)April 1, 2013Dell’s regulatory filings reveal the company is forecasting a steady revenue decline in core PC business and that enterprise acquisitions haven’t yielded strong returns. Dell is fast becoming a case study of how challenging change is to implement.
  • Panda Refreshes Console With Management (1)March 29, 2013Panda Security refreshed its cloud security console with management capabilities, giving partners a new crack at mixing and matching services that will represent a differentiator amid a fiercely competitive cloud market.
  • Intermedia Tool Eases Exchange Migrations (1)March 28, 2013Intermedia is hoping to help partners deliver a smooth transition for their SMB customers from one flavor of Exchange to the next with a onboarding tool that eases account and object creation, data migration and cutover.
  • Webroot Alliance Expands MSP Presence (0)March 27, 2013Webroot has partnered with Xari Group for its endpoint security solution on Labtech's RMM platform. The move gives Webroot greater visibility in an explosive managed service market that could open doors for channel revenue opportunities.
  • Zenith Infotech Stock Value Plummets (0)March 27, 2013Shares of embattled Zenith Infotech fall to new lows after India exchange authorities barred the company’s principals from engaging in stock trades amid allegations it improperly diverted funds away from creditors and shareholders.
  • TraceSecurity Channel Program Bolsters GRC (0)March 26, 2013TraceSecurity is launching a channel program, a sign that GRC is gaining traction in the channel, particularly with the SMB and lower market segments.
  • Cisco Buys Services Firm SolveDirect (0)March 26, 2013Cisco is acquiring Austria-based SolveDirect, a specialist in service platforms that enable partners to provide scalable oversight of service delivery across multiple platforms. The acquisition provides Cisco with a valuable tool for expanding its cloud and service management capabilities.
  • The Taxman Cometh for Your Cloud Services (1)March 21, 2013If you think cloud computing services can seem amorphous and hard to define, just wait until tax auditors start to dig into sales and income derived from them, experts warn.
  • Oracle Comes Up Short, Blames New Sales Staff (0)March 21, 2013Hardware business continues to tank as cloud and new subscription sales disappoint.
  • Cisco Upgrades Boost B2B Video Performance (2)March 19, 2013The new set of improvements should also give partners more options for packaging and managing value-added services for clients looking for better face-to-face communications in their daily business routines.
  • Report: IBM Considers Rackspace Acquisition (0)March 19, 2013Both EMC and IBM are said to covet entree into the white-hot cloud hosting market, though neither company is anxious to build out their own, homegrown offerings.
  • GFI Spins Off Security, Debuts ThreatTrack (0)March 18, 2013GFI is spinning off its security business, honing its former offerings into ThreatTrack, a new firm that aims to swipe at larger, more lucrative advanced threat markets. But how it will develop its channel to be competitive with larger and more established players remains to be seen.
  • AVG CloudCare Additions Boost Cloud Presence (0)March 18, 2013AVG is upping the ante for SMBs by adding services into its CloudCare security platform. The move indicates the Amsterdam-based security firm has little room to get comfortable as more competitors vie for SMB business.
  • Webroot Debuts Per-User Licensing Program (0)March 18, 2013Smartphones, tablets, eReaders --these days BYOD trends seldom stop at one device per person. Webroot is attempting to make the road a little bit easier. The Broomfield, Colo.-based SaaS security firm officially launched a flexible user-based licensing model, a move that gives partners a bit of a leg up in mobility markets as they face…
  • Could Carbonite Disrupt SMB Backup Market? (2)March 15, 2013A new Spiceworks survey finds the average small business is spending close to $6,000 a year on backup products and management, with one-third believing their investments are insufficient. The survey was sponsored by Carbonite, which is pushing deeper into the SMB market with a low-priced, cloud-based backup offering. Could Carbonite disrupt the SMB backup market?
  • Report: IBM, EMC Eying SoftLayer for Acquisition (0)March 15, 2013The battle for cloud dominance is heating up between the super-vendors, as IBM and EMC are reportedly looking to buy hosting provider SoftLayer. If a deal goes through, the big vendors could suddenly find themselves operating cloud hosting and application services that permeates the channel.
  • Trend Micro Folds MDM in Data Protection Suite (1)March 14, 2013Trend Micro is taking another stab at mobile security by rolling MDM into a more comprehensive data protection suite of solutions. The move could give channel partners a new way to introduce MDM to an established base of customers, but Trend Micro will have to stay focused on mobility strategy if it wants to gain…
  • Analyst: VMware, Yammer, Google, Citrix Driving IT (0)March 14, 2013Ovum's Enterprise 2020 report claims that in the next seven years, the technology landscape will change more than it has done in the past 30 years, and said businesses must act now to adapt, or risk being left behind by their own employees and markets.
  • Schneider Electric Debuts Data Center Services (0)March 14, 2013Schneider this week introduced a new division to provide support services for all types of data centers, from specialized facilities for health care, retail, and financial companies to the fundamental underpinnings for cloud and managed hosting services providers.
  • Competition Rising in Channel for Cloud Sales (2)March 13, 2013Cloud computing is maturing in the channel as more solution providers mature their services practices. Consequently, competition between solution providers for cloud sales is increasing.
  • MDM Offers Choices For Security Channel (0)March 13, 2013Security firms can enter rapidly growing mobile device management markets one of two ways -- by partnering with MDM players or becoming one themselves. Both approaches come with their share of channel benefits and drawbacks. It will be up to solution providers to decide what's best for their practices.
  • VMware Sets Out to Sell Pivotal Plan (0)March 13, 2013With virtualization sales slowing and competition increasing, VMware and its partner, EMC, are placing growth hopes on Pivotal, a plan to spinoff strategic assets to form a new company focused on cloud computing and Big Data. These plans will go on display today as VMware executives meet with analysts in New York.
  • MessageOps Solves Office 365 Profit Riddle (0)March 12, 2013Solution providers complain they can’t make money on the sale of Office 365. MessageOps, a spinoff of systems integrator Champion Solutions Group, has developed a cloud-based platform that makes deploying and managing the Microsoft suite easier and provides a substantial ongoing value-add opportunity for solution providers.
  • Ingram Micro Debuts Hosted Cisco Collab Wares (0)March 12, 2013The distributor this week rolled out a new Cisco Systems Inc.-powered hosted collaboration offering for partners looking to deliver standardized and easily repeatable cloud-based unified communications services.
  • TriCore, Alert Logic Up Management Security (0)March 11, 2013TriCore Solutions and Alert Logic have partnered to infuse security mechanisms into application management. For the channel, that means new differentiators and expanded reach into enterprise circles that could give a crowded application management market a swift boost.
  • Domain Name Change Could Lock Out Channel (0)March 8, 2013The channel could be left out of pocket if a controversial move to sell a new set of online domains is passed, according to an opposition group led by the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF).
  • Panorama9 Debuts MSP Partner Program (0)March 6, 2013Web IT management firm Panorama9 debuted a managed service provider program, a move that expands channel reach to a market increasingly demanding a wider array of cloud-based options.
  • Rackspace Eases Private Cloud Deployments (0)March 6, 2013The hosting company updated its free, OpenStack-powered private cloud platform, adding new features and a unified interface to ease the configuration and ongoing operation of private clouds in enterprise data centers.
  • Why IBM Gets the Channel’s Future (0)March 6, 2013At last week’s PartnerWorld conference, Big Blue rolled out several initiatives around services, Big Data mobility and hardware to enable partners to build and support better smarter systems. In reality, IBM set the stage for making itself a channel platform, on which solution providers can build next-generation value-add businesses.
  • CA: Cloud Security Still Needs Improvement (0)March 5, 2013A study commissioned by CA Technologies indicates that most organizations have improved security best practices and awareness over the last three years. That said, only about half of respondents expressed confidence in their cloud security mechanisms, indicating that the channel still a long ways to go.
  • Microsoft Buys Cloud Automation Firm MetricsHub (0)March 5, 2013Bob Kelly, corporate vice president of strategy and business development at Microsoft, revealed the firm would make the technology freely available to all Windows Azure customers.
  • Salesforce Surge Foretells Cloud Evolution (1)March 5, 2013Saleforce.com, the software-as-a-service pioneer, posted stronger than expected earnings and profits for the last quarter as demand for and sales of its new business applications increased. Saleforce’s growth shows where cloud computing is going, as opposed to the price-cutting of hosting companies such as Rackspace and Amazon.
  • VMware Helps Partners Monetize the Cloud (0)March 4, 2013The virtualization vendor reveals its Cloud Credit Purchasing Program (CCPP) and extra incentives in the hope of making the channel more money from the cloud.
  • IndependenceIT’s Lippie: Channel Eclipse Looms (4)March 4, 2013independenceIT’s Jim Lippie says the industry is starting down an astronomical shift in which large direct companies are taking market share from MSPs and VARs at an unprecedented clip. Hear what this "channel eclipse" means to solution providers and how you can survive -- and even thrive -- in increasingly turbulent and cloud-driven times.
  • Top 10 Customer Cloud Objections (2)March 4, 2013Businesses spent more than $100 billion on cloud products and services in 2012. While cloud adoption is increasing, customers still have concerns and objections. The CTTA State of the Cloud Channel 2013 study ranks the top concerns solution providers encounter in cloud sales.
  • Barracuda Eyes Mid-Market With Cloud, Storage (0)March 1, 2013In a highly commoditized firewall market, Barracuda Networks is adding storage and cloud functions into its network security appliances that enable a multitude of features at a digestible price point. The result? The ability for partners to better target mid-market opportunities.
  • Rackspace Buys MongoDB Firm ObjectRocket (0)March 1, 2013The San Antonio, Texas cloud hosting and services provider will make ObjectRocket’s NoSQL technology available to clients in the next few weeks beginning with its Chicago facility and rolling out across Rackspace’s Open Cloud portfolio soon after, officials said this week.
  • IT, Telephony Channels Increasingly Clashing (0)March 1, 2013For years, convergence was the watchword for the IT and telephony channels as VARs and telephony agents started coming together to sell complementary carrier and data solutions. In reality, convergence is more a myth; the trend is more of competition as each channel takes on qualities of the other.
  • Cloud Sherpas Ease Google App Dev With Ferris (0)March 1, 2013Ferris is less about letting developers play hooky, and more about allowing them to eliminate redundant coding to connect common application components in custom Google App wares.
  • Invest in Cloud or Perish, Analysts Warn (1)March 1, 2013Not even the largest technology firms can continue to sustain market leadership without investing strongly in the cloud, according to a new report from IDC.
  • HP, TaaSERA Unleash Advanced Threat Service (0)February 28, 2013HP is partnering with TaaSERA for another security services launch that better positions it against competitors Dell, RSA and others in the security services space.
  • Roskill: Microsoft Not Forcing Office 365 on You (0)February 28, 2013Microsoft's corporate vice president for the worldwide partner group insists the vendor is not forcing customers over to Office 365 by making on-premise Office 2013 licenses non-transferable between machines.
  • IBM: Mobile is Platform of Future Opportunities (0)February 28, 2013IBM is pushing a broad agenda with its MobileFirst initiative. Going beyond mobile device management, IBM sees a tremendous need for partners to deliver integrated mobile systems. Those who delay mobile capability will miss on billions of dollars in opportunities.
  • Box Gets Serious With Security Adds (0)February 28, 2013Anxious to shake off a nagging reputation as a mostly consumer-grade service, cloud storage and content sharing provider Box this week introduced a number of security features and product integrations that show it’s ready to play in the enterprise.
  • Zscaler: “Where Is The Cloud Security Channel?” (0)February 27, 2013Cloud security firm Zscaler is on a set course for growth -- so much so that company leaders maintain that it's likely the firm will cross the IPO threshold in the next two years. So where are the armies of cloud security channel partners?
  • Microsoft Opens Office 365 to All Resellers (0)February 27, 2013After years of restricting the full resale of cloud versions of the popular Office productivity suite, Microsoft is making all the products available to solution providers to resell, support and administer independently. Microsoft says the policy change is in response to evolving market demand; but some competitive issues with Google likely influenced the switch.
  • Check Point Touts Prevention In Threat Release (1)February 27, 2013Check Point Software Technologies latest release addresses advanced threats from a prevention standpoint, but the real value will likely be in upsell service opportunities, as well as affordability that will give the solution more sway in lower market segments.
  • Verizon Revs Partner Program in Midmarket Push (0)February 27, 2013Verizon is wringing much of the complexity out of its disparate business channel programs, consolidating partner efforts in an effort to marshal reseller efforts for an all-out assault on the midmarket.
  • HP Broadens Security Reach, Revs Channel (0)February 26, 2013Hewlett Packard is revving its channel for a security push. And it's ramping up street credibility with mid-market and enterprise product releases and the launch of a comprehensive threat research center brings together its numerous security acquisitions under one roof. HP has a lot going for it, but its ultimate success will be determined by…
  • Study: Stock Rising for IT Security Pros (0)February 26, 2013If the avalanche of recent hacking and malware incidents hasn’t emboldened you to trumpet the value of your IT security services, a new study shows your expertise is in high demand, short supply and worth more than ever before.
  • SMB Cloud Tops $45B and Keeps Climbing (0)February 26, 2013A study by cloud software vendor Parallels finds SMBs spent $45 billion on cloud products and services in 2012, and the tally will more than double by 2015.
  • Microsoft, Barracuda Team On Azure Security (0)February 25, 2013Microsoft Corp. and Barracuda Networks Inc. are joining forces to to boost data protection for Web applications hosted in Windows Azure cloud, a union that will extend channel reach while slowly but surely raising the bar on the cloud security paradigm.
  • Trend Micro C&C Detection Raises Market Stakes (0)February 25, 2013Trend Micro is once again raising security stakes by infusing its Custom Defense product with C&C detection capabilities -- a sign that advanced threat detection markets are rapidly filling with competitors vying for share.
  • HP Refreshes Security With Big Data Makeover (0)February 25, 2013Hewlett Packard Co. is making a reinvigorated push into security with Big Data launches integrating technologies from ArcSight, Hadoop and Autonomy, a move that could help right the company's ship and steer it toward its stated turnaround. That said, HP has some catching up to do, now battling Dell, IBM and others that have long…
  • CommVault Simpana 10 Eases Data Chores (0)February 25, 2013Data protection and archiving software maker CommVault today released a significant upgrade to its flagship Simpana data management platform with 20 million new lines of code and more than 300 new features designed to improve backup performance and reduce storage, administration and support costs.
  • Rackspace Slashes Prices by One-Third (0)February 25, 2013Hosting pioneer Rackspace is reducing prices on content delivery by one-third and implementing new pricing for its cloud services as it looks to lure customers away from rivals, such as Amazon. Could this be the first sign of coming rapid commoditization?
  • Dell Increases Focus on Preferred Partners (0)February 22, 2013Dell’s channel organization is increasingly focused on enabling and enhancing the quality of existing partners over recruiting new resellers and integrators to its program. Giving priority to new data center and cloud technologies and the partners qualified in these segments is paying dividends, says Dell’s channel leadership team.
  • Barracuda Takes Aim At File Syncing Market (0)February 21, 2013Barracuda Networks is immersing itself further into the cloud storage arena with the launch of a file-syncing service that goes toe-to-toe with DropBox and YouSendIt. The move gives partners the ability to look beyond network security appliances and ride a rising tide of cloud storage growth.
  • CA Expands Virtual In ARCserve Backup Refresh (0)February 21, 2013CA Technologies is pushing virtual capabilities with the latest version of its ARCserve backup and recovery platform. The goal? A deeper push in the managed services space that takes on competitors Symantec, EMC Corp. and others.
  • AT&T Opens Doors to New Channel Program (0)February 21, 2013AT&T relaunches its channel program to enable resellers and OEM partners to reach new market opportunities, as well as attract solution providers to integrate and resell AT&T products. The revamped AT&T Partner Exchange is reflection of carriers becoming less hostile toward the channel to maintain relevancy and profitability.
  • VCE Talks New VBlocks, Partner Relationships (0)February 21, 2013The VCE launches two new systems and a specialized platform with SAP HANA. D Martin, vice president of global channels for the VCE discusses how the VCE has been building out its channel presence.
  • VMware Horizon Suite Targets ‘Multi-Device Era’ (0)February 20, 2013VMware launches a comprehensive mobility and virtualization suite, VMware Horizon, encompassing key areas on application, security, data management and virtual desktop access for a "multi-device era."
  • dinCloud Taps IT Veteran Weber as New CTO (1)February 20, 2013Cloud services firm dinCloud Inc. today tapped an IT industry veteran to lead its infrastructure engineering and technology development with the stated goal of creating “a heavenly experience” for partners.
  • Gartner: Age of ‘Cognizant Computing’ Upon Us (0)February 20, 2013Consumers' reliance on personal cloud-driven devices has marked the coming of a new era of "cognizant computing" according to Gartner, which claims that the trend will drive innovation in sensor-enabled devic
  • Dell’s Q4 FY13 Losses Transitional Mixed Bag (0)February 20, 2013Dell's Q4 FY 2013 showed declining revenues among some segmented high notes, suggesting the company is facing turbulence as it restructures its overall business model and heads into privatization.
  • Citrix’s Zenprise Now XenMobile MDM Suite (0)February 20, 2013Citrix turns around its Zenprise acquisition with the introduction of XenMobile, an end-to-end MDM suite that addresses pain points like application security, identity management and secure remote access.
  • AlertLogic Gives Log Management Cloud Spin (0)February 19, 2013SaaS security provider AlertLogic released a Log Manager that gives a fresh spin to reporting and log management with a new spate of deployment options. That said, the release propels compliance trends that are increasingly taking to the cloud.
  • HP PartnerOne Program sees $1.5B Overhaul (0)February 19, 2013Hewlett-Packard Co. kicks off the Global Partner Conference 2013 with a $1.5 billion investment to overhaul the PartnerOne program, aligning Autonomy and Vertica to be more partner friendly and opening new certifications and revenue opportunities for specialists.
  • F5 Networks Takes New Approach with BYOD 2.0 (0)February 19, 2013F5 Networks kicks off "BYOD 2.0" with the F5 Mobile App Manager, a specialized SaaS suite that compartmentalizes app management and security on each device, eliminating traditional BYOD issues by focusing only on data and content.
  • Connectivity Consultation Is Next Specialization (0)February 19, 2013Channel partners have an opportunity to become connectivity specialists, offering consultation practices that help create custom-designed cloud solutions for industry-specific purposes. A connectivity specialist will be less concerned about offering a specific set of services and instead, more focused on ensuring all needed services and solutions are properly deployed and connected.
  • PCI Deficiencies Enable Compliance “Remodeling” (0)February 18, 2013Research by SecurityMetrics indicate that despite the widespread acceptance of PCI DSS, many retail organizations fail to be compliant. The number indicate that disruptive technologies such as mobile and cloud have changed PCI dynamics. But it also indicates that partners have a chance to rebuild customers' programs from the ground up.
  • Brocade Tech Data Deal has Competitive Focus (0)February 18, 2013Brocade's partner training deal with Tech Data is part of a larger channel enablement strategy for Brocade, as it seeks to drive its networking portfolio deeper into the market and compete against rivals like Cisco, HP and Dell.
  • Pertino Offers Cloud Networking-as-a-Service (1)February 18, 2013Pertino, a growing networking startup, seeks to redefine the SMB networking space with an networking-as-a-service platform, allowing any IT pro to spin-up a network operation in the cloud and connect disparate devices -- and cloud resources -- like they were local.
  • Cisco UC Offensive Attacks Microsoft Lync (0)February 18, 2013Cisco Systems Inc. launches a full-on assault against Microsoft Corp.'s Lync communication strategy, arguing that a single-vendor multi-device approach is more aligned with future needs than the Windows and PC-centric approach Microsoft has taken with Lync.
  • ESET MSP Program Begins Service Foray (0)February 15, 2013ESET is making services forays with the launch of an MSP channel program. The launch is still a good move for the endpoint security firm, but comes well behind many of its competitors.
  • Vendors Need Differentiation in Antivirus Game (3)February 15, 2013F-Secure launches its latest endpoint protection solution coupled with a central management console touting elevated detection powered by heuristics and behavior-based technologies to nab advanced threats. While a market differentiator, F-Secure's release speaks to the challenge that antivirus vendors face to keep their products competitive as cloud and mobility continually change threat dynamics.
  • GENBAND Streamlines Portfolio for MSPs (0)February 15, 2013Communication and services company GENBAND kicks off its "Making Networks Smarter" program, compartmentalizing its technology portfolios to enable a growing service-provider community with the latest solutions.
  • AWS Redshift Is All-in-One Data Warehouse (0)February 15, 2013Amazon Web Services makes Amazon Redshift globally available, bringing scalable and easy-to-use data warehousing capabilities to the cloud. With major business analytic vendors like SAP and IBM on board, AWS continues to grow into a powerhouse cloud provider.
  • Symplified Channel Launch Expands IDaaS (0)February 15, 2013Symplified has rolled out a new channel program, indicating identity and access management markets are getting a second wind from the cloud.
  • The Biggest Cloud Challenge in the Channel (0)February 15, 2013Solution providers are wrestling with issues in adopting and operationalizing cloud computing as part of their product and services portfolio. A number of issues stymie cloud channel efforts, but a few are standing out asbig obstacles.
  • Polycom Makes Federal Case With Microsoft Lync (0)February 15, 2013Polycom announces three Microsoft Lync-enabled IP phones available for federal agencies via GSA Schedule. With Polycom's acquisition of Microsoft Gold partner Sentri, is it possible Polycom and Microsoft are building a tighter partnership for the future of Lync?
  • AppSense’s DesktopNow is Now For Enterprise (1)February 14, 2013AppSense reboots their flagship suite with the introduction of DesktopNow, a holistic approach to virtualization management in the enterprise, encompassing everything from Windows 7 Migration, BYOD and to per-user VDI management.
  • Cisco’s Soaring Profits a Sign of Better Times (0)February 14, 2013Cisco quarterly profits jumped 44 percent, bolstered by increasing demand for networking gear and a one-time tax incentive. All said, the financial report beat analysts’ expectations and potentially foretell better times ahead for the IT market.
  • Why Apple’s iWatch Makes Mobile Security Easy (0)February 14, 2013Apple's iWatch has the potential to be the only mobile device that needs management, linking up with connected iOS devices and sharing authentication configurations. With iOS a regularly used platform in the enterprise, Apple's latest consumer device could have a profound affect on mobile security.
  • Zscaler Infuses Cloud With Big Data Analytics (0)February 13, 2013Cloud security firm Zscaler is the latest to join the ranks of those adding Big Data analytics into its set of offerings. However, the cloud security firm will likely be looking over its shoulder in the not too distant future as competition stiffens and the Big Data market continues its path toward saturation.
  • Symantec Expands SSL With Offerings, Services (0)February 13, 2013Symantec is hoping to give new life to the SSL industry with new code signing techniques, algorithm options and a slew of service offerings that promise to expand the market while giving partners new tools to carve out new inroads in SSL with security-focused customers.
  • ViewSonic’s Thin Clients Foresee Post-PC Era (0)February 13, 2013ViewSonic's new thin and zero clients broaden its reach in the virtualization space and offer a complement to ViewSonic's growing portfolio of connected display devices -- a critical market strategy as ViewSonic leverages the post-PC era to expand its core display business.
  • Dell’s Technology Program Has Future Focus (0)February 13, 2013Dell talks up growth within the Technology Partner Program, potentially part of a larger strategy to advertise the service and solution provider community as Dell sets course for a new focus on enterprise and infrastructure in a post-privatized world.
  • Dropbox, Box: A Tale of Two Biz Dev Strategies (0)February 13, 2013The cloud-based file-sharing service is renewing efforts to expand beyond its massive consumer base and capture more SMB and enterprise accounts. The move comes as rival Box expands its channel efforts to grow market coverage and sales. The two companies could provide a laboratory for the future of direct and indirect sales.
  • Sophos UTM, RED Appliances Boost Throughput (0)February 12, 2013Sophos launches the UTM 525 and 625 alongside an updated RED 50 appliance, offering improved throughput capabilities for branches managing wide-scale LAN operations and remote branch offices. Services providers looking for a two-step process on branch management may find a UTM/RED pairing appealing.
  • VMware Boosts vSphere Management & Backup (0)February 12, 2013VMware unveils VMware vSphere with Operations Management and VMware vSphere Data Protection Advanced, bringing a more cohesive and efficient management and backup solution to mid-sized virtualization environments -- part of VMware's ongoing commitment to enhancing its solution portfolio.
  • Cisco Calls on Midmarket Collaboration Partners (0)February 12, 2013Cisco Systems rolls out a new set of perks and incentives to help bring partners of all sizes into the midmarket space, delivering right-sized solutions that promote workspace collaboration in a BYOD world. Cisco attests midmarket collaboration represents a a potential $7.1 billion opportunity.
  • Microsoft Gives Partners Cloud Billing Control (0)February 12, 2013Microsoft finally lives up to pledge made last summer by making cloud suite available through Open licensing beginning March 1.
  • CA Touts Cloud as IAM Differentiator (0)February 11, 2013CA Technologies is upping its presence in the identity and access management arena by enhancing its CloudMinder service in a move that speaks to the intensifying competitiveness in IAM markets as cloud technologies gain traction.
  • F5 Networks’ LineRate Buy Is SDN Grab (0)February 11, 2013F5 Networks acquires SDN startup LineRate Systems as it seeks to broaden its portfolio and focus on software-defined architectures -- critical in delivering next-gen networking services around app management and cloud orchestration.
  • MSPs Can Check Pulse With Client Heartbeat (0)February 11, 2013ConnectWise welcomes the integration of Client Heartbeat, a customer service survey tool that gives MSPs actionable feedback on their own services and how they stack up against competing MSPs. In a growing IT services industry, this information is critical for maintaining differentiation and quality of service.
  • ADTRAN Nixes Partner Hurdles, Adds Rewards (0)February 11, 2013ADTRAN channel chief Ted Cole offers a deep dive on ADTRAN's partner program amid the company's program changes, which seek to bring more partners into the fold, especially as managed services take off.
  • AWS Earns SAP Certs, Offers Cloud Tagging (0)February 8, 2013Amazon.com's AWS platform earns full SAP certification, bringing the whole of SAP Business Suite to the AWS platform. Additionally, AWS providers can now tag S3 and RDS instances, helping them keep track of resources and costs.
  • Security Fears Still Stymie Cloud Adoption (0)February 8, 2013A Lieberman Software survey indicated that fear of government surveillance and legal issues prevented almost half of respondents from embarking on cloud projects. That means there's still an untapped -- if shrinking-- critical mass of users the channel can target with their own combination of cloud security and compliance solutions.
  • NetApp, SAP Deepen Database Commitment (0)February 8, 2013NetApp and SAP promise an expansion their partnership to bolster the development of SAP solutions that leverage SAP's in-memory database capabilities, enhanced by NetApp's focus on accelerated storage management and data delivery solutions.
  • Radware Acquires Optimization Firm Strangeloop (0)February 8, 2013Application security and delivery firm Radware just onboarded Web performance and optimization vendor Strangeloop, a move that promises to build out solution provider portfolios in burgeoning optimization niches.
  • Dell Boomi Talks Middleware, Wipro Partnership (0)February 8, 2013Dell Boomi's Rick Nucci talks about the growing success of AtomSphere integrations, a new global alliance with Wipro Technologies and the future of middleware.
  • Avanade Buys Opstera in Managed Cloud Play (0)February 8, 2013Avanade, a Microsoft MSP, scoops up Opstera, a software specialist focused on Azure public cloud management. While small in scale, this move represents the ongoing trend of M&A in the MSP space as providers seek a wider audience with more solutions to enable customer stickiness and accelerate growth.
  • Backupify Releases SaaS Backup Accelerator (0)February 7, 2013Backupify rolled out a developer platform that enables ISVs to rapidly inject the firm's backup and recovery functionality into their applications. For the channel, the release could result in a handy channel value-add in light of cloud backup's growing market appeal.
  • Microsoft says Google Will “Scroogle” GMail Users (0)February 7, 2013Microsoft promotes Outlook.com as the sensible alternative to a nosy Google that "goes through every Gmail," and invades your privacy with targeted ads. But Microsoft's sensationalism falls falt and belies a larger effort to promote its cloud applications, like Office 365.
  • Dell Parries Cisco With SDN, Cloud Networking (0)February 7, 2013Dell launches a new top-of-rack switch, networking blades with gigabit connectivity and the official availability of OpenFlow SDN capabilities baked into the Force10 OS (FTOS). Dell's networking focus targets both the enterprise and Cisco's own recent offerings.
  • Mobile Growth Portends Channel Opportunity (0)February 7, 2013Cisco's predictions about the incoming wave of mobile traffic and mobility demands paints a picture of what the channel will look like in the next coming years. If partner's aren't gearing up for the cloud services market, the infrastructure technology space will be the next big space to demand trusted advisors.
  • Samsung Cloudant Investment an Apple Offensive (0)February 6, 2013Samsung Ventures makes a strategic investment into Cloudant, a specialist in database-as-a-service capabilities and mobile data replication and synchronization. While Samsung attests Cloudant's technology is key for large enterprise businesses, Cloudant's capabilities would uniquely complement Samsung's mobile agenda and help it compete with Apple.
  • SAP Links to SuccessFactors BizX With RDS (0)February 6, 2013SAP unveils a new rapid deployment solution (RDS), linking together SAP ERP to SuccessFactors' Business Execution Suite. It's likely SAP will unveil more RDS solutions as SuccessFactors partners roll into the expanding cloud portfolio of the SAP PartnerEdge program.
  • Webroot Targets Network Security Partners (0)February 6, 2013Webroot is edging into the network security space with the launch of its Intelligence for Networks Suite, a release that gives partners the ability to service a broader markets and compete with the growing number of industry rivals incorporating both networking and endpoint security into their portfolios.
  • AWS Loves SPs: Cheaper EC2, RDS Notifications (0)February 6, 2013Amazon Web Services continues its commitment to service providers with cheaper instance offerings and new notification updates for database managers. As cloud technology becomes more simple and inexpensive, the benefits to both partners and the end-users will accelerate.
  • HP Rolls Out Application Management Duo (0)February 5, 2013HP is making good on its services ambitions with the launch of two application performance SaaS tools, that put it more on par with Oracle, Dell and other established players in this space.
  • RIM, Trend Micro Partner In BlackBerry Security (0)February 5, 2013Research In Motion is infusing Trend Micro's Mobile Application Reputation Service into its BlackBerry platform, indicating that it plans on playing the security card to gain customer trust and credibility that could help fuel a rejuvenated market push.
  • IBM PureSystems Offer MSPs Cloud, Big Data (0)February 5, 2013IBM unleashes PureSystems big data and cloud solutions designed to simplify the addition of big data practices, streamline the move into the cloud, simplify desktop and application management and make it easier for MSPs to capitalize on it all. IBM continues to play a strong hand in the fast-changing IT world.
  • EMC Changes Up Velocity Channel Program (0)February 5, 2013EMC is implementing sweeping changes to its Velocity Channel Program, including separating professional services from its qualification requirements, expanding the availability of rebates and opening benefits to Isilon partners. The intent is to stimulate partner productivity and profitability in storage, cloud computing and Big Data.
  • Cisco Overhaul Includes SDN, Cloud Connectivity (0)February 5, 2013Cisco continues its infrastucture overhaul with new switches designed for high-throughput environments and virtual appliances that link together disparate cloud services, private clouds and service provider environments. Cisco also expands its SDN efforts with a workshop for the Cisco Open Network Environment.
  • SilverSky Expands Services With Channel Uptick (0)February 4, 2013SilverSky, a rebrand that combined Perimeter E-Security and USA.NET, is on the cloud services warpath underscored by a series of recent product launches, and is now embarking on an active channel recruitment capping to bring its ambitions to fruition.
  • HP’s Chromebook a Competitive Test Balloon (0)February 4, 2013Hewlett-Packard launches the HP Pavilion Chromebook, marking HP's first entry into the Chromebook arena. With a looming Dell-Microsoft relationship and questionable demand for Windows 8, HP could be sending up a trial balloon for new competitive efforts in both the consumer and education space.
  • F5 Networks Rewards Partners with GUARDIAN (0)February 4, 2013F5 Networks seeks to bolster its partner community with the GUARDIAN professional services partner program, offering consultation partners more advanced tools, training, support and certifications as F5 seeks to bring a higher caliber of partner to both its customer and its partner community.
  • Cloud Revenue Increasing in the Channel (0)February 4, 2013A forthcoming CTTA study finds the number of solution providers earning no revenue or profit from selling and support cloud computing products and services is expected to drop by half in 2013.
  • Tech Data Gives Partners a Marketing Boost (0)February 4, 2013Tech Data launches TDEngage, a specialized marketing program for resellers and partners needing a fast-track way to enable new business growth.
  • Cisco Delivers the Big Game to Your Phone (0)February 1, 2013Cisco launchesStadiumVision Mobile, a live wireless video delivery platform that links into the Cisco Connected Stadium platform, providing live interactive content to sports fans in large-scale stadium environments. Cisco's efforts reveal a larger story about the growing need for advanced wireless infrastructure.
  • SAP SuccessFactor Partners Get PartnerEdge (0)February 1, 2013SAP boosts its partner community by inducting 500 members of the SuccessFactors partner team into the SAP PartnerEdge program -- part of a larger strategy to accelerate the deliver of SAP's newly expanded cloud solution portfolio.
  • Cisco to Partner, Buy Its Way to Cloud Success (0)February 1, 2013In a keynote speech, Cisco CTO Padmasree Warrior singled out the five biggest technology trends she believes will shape the industry in the coming years: mobile, cloud, a new breed of apps, the Internet of things, and data and analytics.
  • iOS 6 Adoption Proves Cloud Readiness (0)February 1, 2013Apple's rapid adoption of iOS 6 and subsequently, iOS 6.1 prove that the cloud is more than ready for prime time use. In a consultative setting, partners can leverage these real world examples to help wary customers understand how cloud services can provide direct and instant benefits to business productivity.
  • Zscaler Boosts Cloud Security With SSO (0)January 31, 2013Cloud security provider Zscaler is vying for a bit of a market edge with the addition of single sign-on capabilities garnered from RSA, Okta and a host of other identity and access management players. Going forward, Zscaler will likely be one of many providers seeking strong competitive differentiators as cloud security markets continue on an…
  • Oracle Virtual Desktop Goes Android, Windows 8 (0)January 31, 2013Oracle Corp. brings Android support to its mobile virtual desktop client, alongside an overhaul the desktop client for USB peripheral support and full Windows 8 compatibility. With BYOD commonplace now and a must-have in the future, Oracle effort's to improve productivity at the end-user level is a small part of a larger cloud strategy.
  • GFI FaxMaker Online Is Instant Value-add (0)January 31, 2013GFI Software offers FaxMaker Online, a cloud-based solution that integrates with e-mail and allows users to send and receive faxes without a fax machine. With faxes still a key communication method in health care and financial institutions, VARs and managed print providers could add considerable value to UC sets with this simple add-on.
  • Support Trumps Security as Cloud Concern (0)January 31, 2013One in five IT decision makers see a lack of support from their cloud service provider as the main problem when migrating to the cloud, according to new research, which suggests that cloud data security worries are now a thing of the past.
  • Polycom Picks Sentri for Advanced Collaboration (0)January 31, 2013Polycom picks up Microsoft Gold partner Sentri Inc. in an effort to expand its partner community readiness in deploying complex unified communication and advanced collaborative solutions, which Gartner attests will become a $2 billion industry by 2016.
  • RIM’s Gamble: All-in on BlackBerry 10 (0)January 30, 2013RIM unleashes BlackBerry 10 with two new devices, the BlackBerry Q10 and Z10, and a few surprises: RIM has changed its corporate name to "BlackBerry" as it seeks to refocus its efforts on flagship products that will be its namesake in the smartphone battleground. But is BlackBerry 10 ready to do battle?
  • EMC’s Greenplum Appliance Is Pivotal Move (0)January 30, 2013EMC launches the Greenplum Data Computing Appliance (DCA) Unified Analytics Platform (UAP), an appliance designed to conquer the most difficult Big Data tasks faster than the competition. With Big Data needs set to dominate the IT landscape in the next 3 years, this launch is highly strategic.
  • Panda Adds Anti-Exploit to Cloud Solution (0)January 30, 2013Panda Security has introduced advanced threat detection in the latest version of its cloud endpoint security solution. The security firm faces stiff competition from industry peers as elevated threat analytics and security intelligence transition from differentiator to status quo.
  • HP ElitePad Needs a Partner Push (0)January 30, 2013Hewlett-Packard's well-equipped ElitePad 900 promises to be a "true" tablet for businesses, but if HP wants to be successful, it may want to push the tablet through a wide base of channel partners and resellers to creating a strong link between partner, product and demand.
  • IBM Hosting Strategy is SmartCoud Enterprise+ (0)January 29, 2013IBM launches SmartCloud Enterprise+, a complete enterprise-ready public cloud hosting solution with a heavy focus on security. IBM also deepens its alliance with SAP by hosting SAP Business Suite and BusinessObjects on IBM's SmartCloud platform.
  • Microsoft’s Office 365 Home a Cloud Catalyst (1)January 29, 2013Microsoft unleashes Office 365 Home Premium to the consumer market, giving users access to Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype and Skydrive on up to five devices for $99 a year. With more competitive pricing for students, Microsoft may be looking to create consumer demand that catalyzes the business world. Success is critical, as Office may…
  • Unified Access Is Cisco’s Next-Gen Strategy (0)January 29, 2013Cisco unleashes updates to the Cisco Unified Access architecture, bringing new switches and infrastructure capabilities that enable software-defined networking and sweeping device policy management capabilities, making it likely that CUA will be the backbone of Cisco's networking strategy.
  • Meetrix Augments IBM Sametime with Polycom (0)January 28, 2013Meetrix, a cloud communications integrator, makes a strategic alliance with Polycom, bringing Polycom's RealPresence backbone and cloud capabilities to the IBM Sametime as-a-service environment. The relationship is symbiotic, as it marks another effort for Polycom to promote a more open and interoperable cloud-based UC platform.
  • Lyatiss: Application Defined Networking Hits AWS (0)January 28, 2013Lyatiss introduces CloudWeaver, a specialized application-defined networking platform that centralizes resource management and provisioning around application requirements and application-specific virtualized environments. ADN has the potential to compliment SDN, especially in the cloud service brokerage space.
  • Gartner Predicts Rising Big Data Demands (0)January 28, 2013Gartner predicts that, by 2015, many major vendors will incorporate natural language capabilities and Hadoop technology to create more viable and powerful Big Data analytical engines.
  • Report: Lenovo Eyes BlackBerry Maker RIM (0)January 25, 2013Growing PC-manufacturer Lenovo has enterprise ambitions as it ponders a buy of BlackBerry maker RIM in search of a solid post-PC mobile strategy. But RIM will likely have to prove itself before any true new alliances can be made.
  • Rackspace Servers May Shake Up Channel (0)January 25, 2013Rackspace's decision to go with home-grown server farms instead of buying from mainstream manufacturers like Hewlett-Packard and Dell may require a new strategic approach for traditional channel partners that once supported service providers.
  • Wireless Google Signals Secure Cloud Services (0)January 25, 2013Hints that Google may be experimenting with its own wireless network should have cloud service providers thinking about how to more securely deliver software and services to users across the public cloud, especially as the reliance on public cloud infrastructure ramps up in a few short years.
  • ShoreTel Sky Gets Cloud Dashboard (0)January 24, 2013ShoreTel launches Call Flow editor for its ShoreTel Sky cloud VoIP system, giving IT admins and customers the ability to change many business VoIP settings in real time. But will a focus on advanced management, will ShoreTel expand its cloud VoIP capabilities to include a solution provider model?
  • Cisco and NetApp Seek Cloud Unity in FlexPod (0)January 24, 2013Cisco and NetApp continue to improve the FlexPod system as each company recognizing the rising need for FlexPod to become a unifying tool in the management of private infrastructure and public cloud environments.
  • Webroot Partners to Boost Mobile Prowess (0)January 24, 2013Webroot is entering the mobile security space by partnering, not developing, MDM capabilities.
  • RIM Readies Rebound With BlackBerry 10 EMM (0)January 24, 2013RIM launches BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, the latest enterprise mobility management suite from the once-ubiquitous handset maker. Could RIM's laser focus on enterprise management help spring it back to relevancy when BlackBerry 10 devices launch at the end of Q1 2013?
  • VMware Puppet Labs Partnership Is Software Play (0)January 23, 2013VMware invests $30 million in a strategic partnership with Puppet Labs, an automation specialist in the software-defined data center space. Amid the promise of software-defined IT, this alliance is a smart move to help VMware gain a strong foothold in this evolving space.
  • Channel to Symantec: Keep Security Focus (0)January 23, 2013Partners will be watching with great interest as Symantec executives outline a product roadmap and comprehensive strategy that will set the channel's course.
  • Cisco’s Intucell Buy Mobilizes Future Plans (0)January 23, 2013Cisco Systems acquires network optimization company Intucell as Cisco captures new capabilities to help it capitalize on the next wave of networking technology that prioritized which is focused around software-centric solutions.
  • KineticD Launches Mobile Cloud Backup (0)January 23, 2013Cloud backup provider KineticD is launching a cloud-based mobile backup solution. While the space is still in infancy, accelerating cloud backup and mobile security trends could give the market a boost.
  • Dell Survey Says BYOD Changes IT Culture (0)January 23, 2013A new survey from Dell Quest reveals IT executives are warming up to BYOD and touting its productivity benefits. Partners leading with BYOD and mobility specializations may soon find themselves in high demand -- and customer stickiness -- if solutions are well placed.
  • Amazon Goes All-In on In-Memory Instances (0)January 22, 2013Amazon Web Services continues its expansion of high-end cloud instances with a specialized in-memory environment featuring both solid-state storage and large amounts of RAM. With the advent of in-memory computing databases like SAP HANA, Amazon is readying for next-gen cloud computing -- the channel should take note.
  • Intermedia Exchanges $55 Million for Telanetix (0)January 22, 2013Intermedia acquires hosted communication company Telanetix as it seeks to enhance its communication offerings and deliver a wider breadth of solutions to its partners and the always-growing SMB space.
  • Axcient Funding Bodes Well for Cloud Backup (0)January 21, 2013Hybrid-cloud backup pioneer Axcient secured $20 million in new funding to fuel growth. The fresh investment reflects how well the company is performing, but also the promise of the whole cloud backup segment.
  • HP Cloud Chief Exits, Leaves Troubled Skies (1)January 21, 2013Hewlett-Packard Cloud Services chief Zorawar Biri Singh departed last week after two years building the vendor’s cloud strategy. This could signal trouble in one of the core pillars of HP’s restoration strategy.
  • CompTIA Names Community Leaders for 2013 (0)January 21, 2013The IT advocacy and training organization unveiled a list of industry luminaries to head up the Downers Grove, Ill., group’s member communities in various disciplines for the coming year.
  • Microsoft Deepens Cloud OS Pitch (0)January 18, 2013Microsoft launches System Center 2012 Service Pack 1, complete with new tools for its Cloud OS platform -- and linkage between Microsoft Windows 2012 and Windows Azure.
  • Webroot’s Tomeo Takes Channel Chief Role (1)January 17, 2013SaaS security firm Webroot likely has a bit more direction after naming Charles Tomeo as vice president of worldwide channels and technical sales, heralding a rejuvenated channel focus for the year ahead.
  • Cisco’s Nick Adamo Now VP of Americas (0)January 17, 2013Cisco Systems appoints Nick Adamo as senior vice president of worldwide field operations for the Americas region. With nearly 30 years in the industry, Adamo will could increase Cisco sales across the board – but is the company cooking up plans for a post-Chambers future?
  • LabTech Advances RMM with Intel vPro (0)January 17, 2013LabTech links up with Intel's vPro technology, allowing MSPs to remotely manage without requiring access to the operating system layer. MSPs can also access pre-boot environments, including navigating BIOS settings, providing a deeper level of troubleshooting without on-site technicians.
  • So Much for HP Putting All Options on the Table (1)January 17, 2013Reports indicate Hewlett-Packard won’t sell troubled Autonomy, EDS or other major units to restore the company to sound footing.
  • Symform Lands Investment Windfall (0)January 16, 2013Cloud storage and backup provider Symform is reaping the benefits of a new round of investment funding that will direct new funds into product development and market reach. The infusion of cash is a likely testament to the success of its distributed approach, heralding a bright future for cloud storage in the year ahead.
  • Che: Storage, Openness Drive Hybrid Cloud (0)January 16, 2013Red Hat's Bryan Che offers a look into Red Hat's future roadmap, which includes a focus on an open hybrid cloud with an eye on storage flexibility. As cloud methods evolve and change, Che says Red Hat wants to be an enabler of all cloud visions.
  • Rogues, Costs, Inefficiencies Mar Cloud Benefits (0)January 16, 2013While cloud adoption is associated with many benefits, a Symantec survey reveals organizations struggle with rogue clouds, inefficiencies and compliance issues. For the channel, this heralds a shift to troubleshooting and optimization services that emerge in later phases of cloud adoption.
  • Partner Enablement Heart of Red Hat Agenda (0)January 16, 2013Red Hat's Jerry Lumpkin offers a look at how driving the latest cloud capabilities deeper into the IT space is linked with educating its partner community. With a plan to enable a "core group of partners," Red Hat hopes to accelerate enablement with partners that can show how its done and lend a helping hand.
  • Whitehurst: Open Red Hat Still Best Advantage (0)January 15, 2013Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst says the company's competitive advantage is still its open-source nature, which allows continued collaboration and innovation through flexibility. Amid IT convergence, Whitehurst alluded to Red Hat becoming the glue that builds out a new world of IT, which is valuable for both Red Hat its partners.
  • Webroot, SOTI Partner in Mobile Security (0)January 15, 2013Webroot just got a leg up in mobile markets with a partnership that weaves its security intelligence and secure Web browsing technologies into SOTI's MDM solution. The move will broaden partners' reach and customers-base while paving the way for entrance into mobile markets.
  • Red Hat Looks to Future of Collaboration (0)January 15, 2013The Red Hat Partner Conference kicks off in sunny San Diego, Calif. with a focus on community and collaboration. Amid the increased popularity in open source standards and Linux, Red Hat partners are in place to help drive the wave of next-gen data center technology.
  • FireEye Bulks Security Prowess (0)January 14, 2013Security firm FireEye is kicking off its New Year with $50 million in venture funding, new leadership and a strategic partnership with Imperva, indicating a bright future around advanced threat services for its fledgling channel.
  • SMB 500: ITG Prescribes Virtualization (0)January 14, 2013Information Technology Group (SMB 500 #39) discusses what it takes to serve the health care community and explains why virtualization is actually a complement -- not a compliance issue -- when it comes to outfitting medical practices.
  • ProfitBricks Stacks Its IaaS Channel Program (0)January 14, 2013The infrastructure-as-a-service startup, with a with a strong German pedigree in the global Web hosting space, is readying an aggressive, three-pronged channel program as it brings its hosted data center technology into the U.S. market and prepares to take on IaaS heavyweights such as Amazon and Rackspace.
  • Microsoft Azure Floats Open Cloud With VM Depot (0)January 11, 2013Microsoft launches the VM Depot under the Microsoft Open Technologies division, offering a one-stop shop for Azure images that includes popular open-source Linux distributions -- a smart move that can increase the adoption of the Azure cloud platform amid the popularity of open-source options for servers and virtualization.
  • HP’s Center of Excellence Has HANA Foucs (0)January 11, 2013Hewlett-Packard accelerates its efforts to develop in-memory computing with a new Center of Excellence based on SAP HANA and real-time application testing, engineering and development. Amid the move to Big Data practices in 2013 and 2014, HP is smart to capitalize on that momentum.
  • McAfee, LockPath Expand GRC Reach (0)January 11, 2013GRC firm LcckPath and security vendor McAfee have partnered in a solution that meshes GRC technologies with McAfee's Vulnerability Manager, a move that promises to expand GRC's reach to a broader customer base and breathe new life into compliance markets with refreshed channel service opportunities.
  • Leading With Speed a Potential Differentiator (0)January 11, 2013With SAP leading the charge in in-memory database systems, could the need for speed in business processes be a more concrete differentiator partners could take up?
  • SAP Brings Business Suite to HANA, Eyes Future (0)January 10, 2013SAP unveils SAP Business Suite on HANA, bringing the real-time analytical capabilities of the HANA in-memory database platform to SAP's entire suite of business applications. With real time information helping drive critical business decisions, this platform is set to be the foundation for SAP through the next 5-10 years.
  • Nirvanix Offers Mainlined Storage With CoreSite (0)January 10, 2013Nirvanix teams up with CoreSite to provide a cloud storage solution that creates a direct connection between a customer and a data center, circumnavigating ISPs to provide a faster, more robust and more secure connections to critical cloud-based data.
  • AirWatch App Management Module Flies Solo (0)January 9, 2013AirWatch rolls out a standalone application management module and SDK, allowing internal app developers to quickly outfit apps with management and security code that natively integrates with on-site MDM. This solution may be idea for providers looking for customizable management options that meet stringent enterprise demands.
  • Tech Data Gives Partners Marketing Package (0)January 9, 2013Tech Data launches resellerCONNECT under the TDAgency platform, giving its partner community a single place to generate a successful marketing campaign that includes event logistic management and web site development.
  • HP Gives Partners Big Data Training, Certs (0)January 9, 2013Hewlett-Packard offers a new series of training and certifications for the HP Vertica platform, as the company seeks to increase its own efforts -- and respond to partner demands -- by providing an enhanced ability to attack Big Data needs.
  • Dell Wyse Cloud-Enables Displays for VDI (0)January 8, 2013Dell Wyse unleashes "Project Ophelia," a specialized display dongle that can turn any desktop monitor into a virtualization thin client. Mobile connectivity options like these are driving the move to a modernized workplace and data center.
  • Sophos Combines Endpoint Security, MDM (0)January 8, 2013Sophos is pushing into the MDM space with its Sophos Enduser Protection, a solution that protects devices by securing every user on the network. The solution represents a big step for Sophos in its overarching MDM strategy, but will it be enough of a differentiator to keep competitors at bay?
  • Marvell mPrint Mobilizes Wireless Printing (0)January 8, 2013Marvell releases a new USB dongle that can turn most printers into wireless printers, bringing the benefits of wireless and mobile printing capabilities to the workplace with minimal effort. Designed for use by OEMs and solution providers, any partner specializing in mobility or managed print may find this useful.
  • Dell SecureWorks Launches Threat Service Duo (0)January 8, 2013Dell SecureWorks is staying true to its security focus with the launch of two new vulnerability scanning services, representing another brick in the wall in its comprehensive security strategy and greater services makeover.
  • Acer Offers Storage Sync With AcerCloud (0)January 8, 2013Acer rolls out AcerCloud, a file synchronization service akin to Dropbox. With another major computing company getting behind cross-platform file synchronization, channel partners should ready themselves for enterprise-level needs of data synchronization both within their portfolios and business practices.
  • AVG CloudCare a Strong Channel Sell (0)January 7, 2013Since its launch in October, AVG's CloudCare service has signed on more than 1000 partners and counting -- and it hopes to make a bigger dent in the SMB space with upgrades that entice customers with affordability and ease-of-use options.
  • Lenovo Unveils Windows 8 Tablets and Tables (0)January 7, 2013Lenovo launches the IdeaPad Horizon, a new 27-inch sharable desktop table tablet, and the ThinkPad Helix, a Microsoft Surface-like ultrabook with a detachable keyboard. Armed with an additional fleet of all-in-one units focused on optimizing the Windows 8 experience, Lenovo is offering a massive portfolio of post-PC era PCs.
  • Fortinet Boosts MSPs With Security Blade Debut (0)January 7, 2013Fortinet is hoping to expand its managed security services presence with the launch of a high-performance security blade for its FortiGate-5001C. The launch paves the way for MSPs to boost margins and stay on par with UTM security rivals.
  • AirTight Networks Offers MSP-Friendly WLAN (0)January 7, 2013AirTight Networks offers wireless access points that include embedded security, analytics and controller-less cloud manageability targeted for the enterprise or retail space. AirTight is on track to ride the wave of mobility-driven business while giving solution providers areas for value-added management.
  • Forrester Predicts Optimistic 2014 (1)January 7, 2013Forrester Research offers an optimistic outlook for 2013, calling it a transitional year to 2014, where IT budgets will loosen up and major spending on mobility, cloud and Big Data-style solutions will spur considerable growth.
  • SMB 500: Lone VARs Share Unique Challenges (0)January 4, 2013Being the lone wolf can garner market dominance, yet despite being the top solution providers in their geographies, these five solution providers on Ingram Micro's SMB 500 list face challenges in competitive online sales and staff recruitment.
  • N-able Help Desk Alliance Offers NOC Upgrade (0)January 4, 2013N-able teams up with Live Virtual Help Desk to provide help desk NOC integration to MSPs and solution providers that don't have the resources or time to implement their own advanced help desk capabilities.
  • Mobile Viruses Set To Rise In 2013 (0)January 4, 2013Security firm Trend Micro forecasts mobile viruses to rise significantly in 2013, and if history is any indication, they probably will. But the anticipated rise of mobile threats sets the stage for Trend Micro's continued push into mobile security and MDM markets.
  • IndependenceIT’s New Biz Dev Targets MSPs (0)January 4, 2013Former Thrive Networks brass, Jim Lippie, is appointed to vice president of business development for independenceIT. Lippie is expected to deliver a more focused channel-enablement program as indepdenceIT seeks to grow its provider base and offer a true partner-frist approach to IT management.
  • MSPs Make Inroads in Federal Markets (0)January 4, 2013The FedRAMP program authorized its first cloud security vendor, Autonomic Resources, indicating channel MSPs and solution providers might have a better shot at federal and other public sector markets in the not-too-distant future.
  • CES No Longer Dismissible in B2B Circles (0)January 4, 2013The massive Consumer Electronics Show opens in Las Vegas next week, showcasing the latest and forthcoming gadgets and digital devices for 2013. Ordinarily, this is an event given token status in business tech circles, but no more. Consumers are increasingly leading the technology purchasing discussion.
  • Lenovo Plays Offense with EMC Venture (0)January 4, 2013Lenovo and EMC officially launch LenovoEMC JV, a joint venture platform designed to expand Lenovo's storage presence in the enterprise and boost EMC's market reach in the storage space. Amid ventures like the VCE, Lenovo's partnership has powerful implications.
  • RiverMeadow Migration Pack Gets VMware Love (0)January 3, 2013RiverMeadow delivers its cloud migration SaaS package to the VMware Service Provider Program, enabling VMware service partners to quickly migrate any server or existing cloud environment to a brand new VMware-based cloud environment.
  • RSA: Strategy Key in Tackling IT Disruptors (0)January 3, 2013RSA, the security division of EMC, issued a report outlining strategies for implementing security mechanisms and failsafes when assimilating emerging technology trends. While it's nothing that partners haven't heard before, the report gives solution providers some insights into where to put their energies around Big Data and threat intelligence services going forward.
  • Imation Swipes Nexsan in Storage Strategy (0)January 3, 2013Imation scoops up channel-centric storage company Nexsan as Imation looks to expand its own capabilities while capturing more marketshare in the quickly evolving storage space.
  • Heirloom GOPaaS Offers Legacy SaaS (0)January 3, 2013Application specialist Heirloom Computing offers a way for system integrators and enterprise corporations to fast-track on-premises applications into the cloud, delivering a software-as-a-service solution wrought entirely from legacy applications.
  • Cisco Updates Unified Wireless Software (0)January 2, 2013Cisco updates its Unified Wireless Network Software to version 7.4, offering a wide range of wireless-centric solutions that enable solution providers to ready themselves for mobile computing needs that are fast overtaking traditional compute paradigms across the SMB and enterprise.
  • Amazon Enhances AWS GovCloud (0)January 2, 2013Amazon.com brings new enhancements to the Amazon Web Services GovCloud platform, focusing on improving compliance capabilities for customers and solution providers providing hosted services for government organizations.
  • VMware Seeks Service Provider Partners (1)January 2, 2013VMware ramps up its efforts to bring more partners into its VMware Service Provider Program (VSPP) with a new promotional video. VMware is preparing itself for the coming demand in hosted services, SaaS and hybrid cloud deployments -- all spaces best delivered via the channel.
  • Big Data, Cloud Fuel Enterprise in 2013 (0)December 31, 2012Software AG reveals the results of its customer adoption survey, showing cloud, Big Data and mobility are set for adoption and expansion into the next two years. Partners can use this as an outline on where to specialize for 2013.
  • Red Hat CEO Says Future Is Open, Hybrid (0)December 31, 2012In a "State of the Red Hat Union" blog, Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst outlines Red Hat's successes in 2012 and paints a picture of openness and choice as the major technological factors that will drive growth and innovation in 2013.
  • Desktop Outsourcing Signals Partner Possibilities (0)December 28, 2012New research reveals the market for desktop outsourcing is set to grow 5 percent into 2015. With virtualization and mobility advancements and the demand for customizable cloud solutions -- and trusted advisors -- the channel is well prepared to take advantage of the evolving market.
  • Jenne Delivers Avaya Scopia Training to Partners (0)December 28, 2012Jenne Inc, the value-added distributor of unified communications, is continuing its ongoing commitment to partner enablement with a new course on Avaya's latest Scopia technology. In the past, Jenne Inc has been an Avaya-friendly VAD, which makes the introduction of Avaya Scopia training  at "Jenne University" a natural fit. Partners working with Jenne will have…
  • Nokia Tablet May Reboot Windows RT (0)December 28, 2012Rumor has it Nokia may build a Windows 8 RT tablet based on ARM. But with Microsoft's Surface RT tablet somewhat of a dud, why is Nokia taking up the reigns? Microsoft's OEM partners are all sticking with Intel, but why won't Microsoft?
  • Xtera Offers Edge Optimization for SMEs (0)December 27, 2012Xtera launches the XteraLink 300 edge server appliance, designed to aggregate internal networks and optimize their ability to connect to the Internet. With cloud services constricted by bandwidth and connectivity limitations, tools like these will be critical for solution providers serving burgeoning businesses in the SME space.
  • Tech Data Inks Download Deal With Microsoft (0)December 27, 2012Tech Data and Microsoft expand their existing relationship, bringing the Microsoft Electronic Service Distribution platform to the Tech Data ActivateHere portfolio. Resellers can now instantly sell, download, install, activate and deliver Microsoft software suites in just a few clicks.
  • Hybrid Cloud Could Evolve to Hybrid Storage (0)December 27, 2012Amid the evolution of cloud apps and cloud storage solutions, a new solution may solve the issue of sensitive data living off-premises. Hybrid cloud could be supplanted by hybrid storage environments, where cloud apps stay hosted in the ether while the data stays safe at home.
  • Public Cloud Leveraged for Critical Apps (0)December 26, 2012A survey by cloud security firm CloudPassage indicates more users are relying on public cloud environments for critical business apps and sensitive data. The study reveals users are letting go of security concerns -- a trend that that could break down barriers-to-entry and precipitate an uptick of cloud adoption.
  • Partners, Not Potatoes, Assess Infrastructure (0)December 26, 2012Boeing's latest in-aircraft WiFi testing included people-like potato sacks to measure signal penetration and quality. Partners have the very same opportunity to deliver penetration services to the marketplace, reshaping the way in which solution providers can differentiate in delivering wireless infrastructure.
  • Webroot Expands Endpoint Channel to MSPs (0)December 26, 2012Webroot is expanding its channel program to MSPs offering managed endpoint protection services. The market is growing for managed services, and traditional managed endpoint security solutions are commoditizing and will represent an uphill climb for partners.
  • VMTurbo Dons Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization (0)December 26, 2012VMTurbo boosts its platform-agnostic capabilities with optimization support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.1, expanding its virtual data center management capabilities for another key segment of the market.
  • Google Wants 90% of Microsoft Office Users (1)December 26, 2012Google believes it can capture 90 percent of Microsoft Office users paying a premium for features they don’t use. The overt goal: a direct assault on Microsoft’s cash generator and potential future business cornerstone, as Windows 8 continues to struggle.
  • Cloud Storage May Disrupt Backup Appliances (0)December 26, 2012IDC reports the worldwide purpose-built backup appliance market has remained relatively flat year-over-year, pointing to spending on backup and data protection software as the cause for the "temporary" trend. But the emergence of more advanced, cost-effective cloud-based solutions may have an effect, too.
  • Study: IT Workforce Unprepared for Cloud Jobs (0)December 24, 2012Some 1.7 million cloud-related IT jobs went unfilled in 2012 for lack of skilled workers, and the number of cloud positions available will swell 26 percent per year to about seven million by 2015.
  • Cloud Provider Survey Highlights Consultation (0)December 24, 2012With so many budding cloud providers in the channel today, survey findings from KPMG highlight the need for consultation in the continued sale and growth of any cloud-based business.
  • AWS: New Data Pipeline, High Storage Instances (0)December 21, 2012Amazon launches two major storage-based updates for Amazon Web Services, with AWS Data Pipeline, which removes data siloing issues, alongside AWS High Storage Instances, accelerating cloud apps through high read and write performance for larger data sets.
  • Red Hat: Solid Q3 With Acquisition Adjustments (0)December 21, 2012Red Hat posts sizable revenue gains for Q3 2013 while acquiring ManageIQ, a unified cloud management solution purpose-built to integrate with Red Hat Linux and eliminate cloud tool sprawl.
  • Voltage Partnership Encrypts Cloud Data (0)December 21, 2012Voltage Security and PerspecSys amp up security mechanisms on cloud data in an effort that provides an answer to security as a cloud barrier-to-entry and opens channel opportunities to deepen cloud security practices.
  • IDC Highlights Top 5 SDN Shakers (0)December 21, 2012IDC highlights 5 major software-defined newtorking vendors shaking up the IT landscape. With 2013 set to be a year of converged infrastructure, SDN's ability to be virtualized makes it a smart, flexible and interoperable solution for burgeoning cloud providers and resellers alike.
  • Acronis Gains Edge With Virtual Backup (0)December 20, 2012Backup and recovery firm Acronis is cracking into virtualization markets with support for Red Hat virtual environments, representing a concerted push toward competitive differentiation in backup arenas by leveraging cloud and virtual technologies.
  • Cloud Sherpas Trail Blazes With CloudTrigger (0)December 20, 2012Cloud Sherpas inks a deal to acquire CloudTrigger, bringing Salesforce.com CRM capabilities to the table with another round of investments, netting Cloud Sherpas $40 million in capital. With Google Apps and Salesforce.com popularizing cloud capabilities, Cloud Sherpas is the poster child for cloud services brokerage.
  • Oracle Nabs Eloqua For Cloud Experience (0)December 20, 2012Oracle nabs cloud marketing company Eloqua as it looks to round out its solution portfolio and maintain its successful climb into the software and cloud space.
  • EMC Syncplicity Poised for 2013 Data Needs (0)December 20, 2012EMC Syncplicity is looking to give the channel a way to provide save data collaboration and management with flexible reseller options. Leonard Chung, Syncplicity co-founder, talks channel strategy, competition and BYOD.
  • Big Blue Eyes StoredIQ for Big Data (0)December 19, 2012IBM continues its Big Data push with an intent to acquire StoredIQ, a data lifecycle management company. With StoredIQ's ability to ascribe "value" to data across the corporate network, companies can shrink storage usage while meeting compliance standards.
  • Dell Buys Credant For Data Protection Prowess (0)December 19, 2012Dell acquires Credant Technologies to provide a deeper layer of data protection and security for its enterprise portfolio. Credant plays directly into Dell's ability to dig deep into enterprise and vertical spaces, competing with rivals like Hewlett-Packard and IBM.
  • Channelnomics’ Technology Predictions for 2013 (0)December 19, 2012What emerging technologies and business models will come into their own over the next 12 months? Channelnomics editors make their picks for what will be big in IT and the channel in the coming year.
  • Oracle Says Cloud Now a Billion Dollar Business (0)December 19, 2012The software maker topped Wall Street expectations by announcing a 3 per year-on-year rise in sales to $9.1 billion for the three months to Nov. 30, despite currency headwinds.
  • Citrix’s Gallant: Service Triangulation in 2013 (0)December 19, 2012Citrix Systems Inc.'s Cynthia Gallant discusses the fast-growing services segment linking cloud and mobility. With nZenprise under its belt, Citrix is positioning partners for disruption by grouping key services that can become powerful solution sets.
  • VMTurbo Manager Earns VCE Certification (0)December 18, 2012VMTurbo earns VCE Vblock certification, expanding the automation and cloud management capabilities within the VMTurbo Operations Manager. As centralized management capabilities become more critical for solution providers, VMTurbo offers compatibility for the most popular converged infrastructure environments.
  • SAP Afaria Updated for Enterprise MDM (0)December 18, 2012SAP updates its Afaria MDM platform to address enterprise mobiltiy management (EMM) needs, including enhanced security, and network policy management, alongside device-specific features for iOS and Android. Solution providers approaching large corporations want to check out SAP's efforts to satisfy a multitude of complex enterprise demands.
  • Omnichannel: Dell’s Vision for Partner Unity (0)December 18, 2012“Omnichannel is where we are able to merge all of our capabilities to deliver complete solutions,” CEO Michael Dell told partners at Dell World, adding that getting resellers up to speed on increasingly complex solution sets through advanced training is equally important to the success of PartnerDirect members.
  • Aerohive’s Kurt Mills Pilots Accelerated Channel (0)December 17, 2012Aerohive's new vice president of channels, Kurt Mills, discusses Aerohive's planned channel growth. With Aerohive earning the number 5 spot on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 list, its success is well timed for a company seeking continued channel traction amid a world of growing wireless challenges and mobility.
  • Condusiv Technologies Provides VM Boost (0)December 17, 2012Condusiv Technologies launches V-locity 4, a specialized storage and virtualization technology, speeding VM performance up to 50 perent by removing redundant data I/O, in turn, reducing the need for new storage equipment. Solution providers focusing on private cloud infrastructure may want to bundle V-locity into a larger optimization solutions.
  • SMB 500: Sales Pros Share Secrets of Top VARs (0)December 17, 2012Solution providers on SMB500 aren’t the only rock stars of the channel that stand out from the peers. Hear what the top performing sales rep say sets their accounts apart.
  • Amazon Web Services Offers Detailed Billing (0)December 17, 2012Amazon expands the billing capabilities for Amazon Web Services, allowing providers and customers to get hourly "unblended" information on resource and instance usage. As service providers expand the cloud services they offer, having a firm grasp on usage information is key to building out sustainable reoccurring revenue.
  • Avaya Expands Mobility, Radvision Solution Set (0)December 14, 2012Avaya enhances its mobility and Radvision solutions as it digs deeper into the SME space and competes rivals in the UC and collaboration space. Cloud and mobility have drastically reshaped what is possible in the UC landscape and Avaya is ensuring it can deliver on those innovations.
  • Dell Delivers Enterprise Portfolio Overhaul (0)December 14, 2012Dell unleashes a massive overhaul to its data center solutions as it seeks to position itself for the coming wave of cloud, virtualization and Big Data opportunities that 2013 will bring.
  • Intronis Founder Replaces Roller as Channel VP (0)December 14, 2012The executive shake-up continues at Intronis as co-founder Neal Bradbury returns to his channel roots to head up the cloud backup and recovery provider’s partner program development efforts.
  • Oracle Acquires DataRaker for Big Data (0)December 14, 2012Oracle scoops up data analytics company DataRaker as it builds out its Big Data portfolio and extends its reach into the utilities market. Oracle's appetite shows DataRaker technology will be integrated into a larger breadth of Oracle solutions soon.
  • With Podio & Zenprise, Citrix Should Channelize (0)December 13, 2012Citrix updates the Podio suite with a collaboration module, allowing non-Podio users to access the platform, much like Google Docs. As Citrix seeks to capitalize on the wave of cloud and mobility -- two sides of the same coin -- the question remains whether Citrix will bridge all of its new technology technology to create…
  • StorageCraft On-Boards Cloud Services for MSPs (0)December 13, 2012StorageCraft doubles down on its partner strategy, releasing an MSP-enabled Cloud Services program with ShadowProtect 5 and ImageManager 6. StorageCraft hopes to capture a growing base of budding partners to expand its customer base and reach into the storage market.
  • SMB Apple Love Is Fruitful Provider Pursuit (0)December 13, 2012A new survey from Intermedia shows there's a rising preference for Apple's iOS in the SMB space, particularly with the iPad. Service providers and VARs that tweak their solutions to be Apple-friendly may find they have much to gain in terms of value-added attach and customer stickiness.
  • CA Picks Cloud Specialist as New CEO (0)December 13, 2012After a six-month search, CA Technologies selected Michael Gregoire, an executive steep in cloud computing skills, to succeed retiring William McCracken in the chief executive post. The appointment is a break from CA’s legacy of picking executives with conventional mainframe and enterprise experience, and signals a commitment to its cloud transformation.
  • EMC Smarts 9.1 Gets Management Overhaul (0)December 12, 2012EMC launches EMC Smarts 9.1, an update to its data center management platform, bringing deeper visibility into network and storage operations. As cloud operations ramp up, from SaaS to PaaS, vendors are gearing up their management offerings so providers can expand their own revenue opportunities.
  • HP FlexNetwork Gives CSPs Jump-Start (0)December 12, 2012Hewlett-Packard Co. rolls out the HP FlexNetwork Utility Advantage program, a pay-per-use platform that communication and cloud service providers can use to deliver HP hardware and software to customers at no cost, jump-starting the process of building reoccurring revenue streams while expanding the reach of HP service partners.
  • Intel’s Microserver Has Macro Challenges (0)December 12, 2012Intel unleashes the Atom S1200 system-on-a-chip processor, 64-bit comptable and designed for use in microserver situations. But it will take more than just a new CPU for Intel to promote the paradigm shift of the microserver era.
  • Azure Price Drop Reinforces Storage Trend (0)December 11, 2012Microsoft drops the price of Azure storage, a competitive response Amazon and Google, amid the dropping costs of raw data and the increase in sophisticated cloud storage technologies. At this rate, it may become commonplace for cloud storage to become a given, flat-rate unlimited service with all cloud providers.
  • Savvis Links Cloud Services With VMware, EMC (0)December 11, 2012Savvis expands its hosting capabilities by linking its Savvis Enterprise Cloud to VMware's Cloud Application Marketplace, alongside an expanded hosted storage capabilities, built on EMC's Atmos storage APIs. This allows for deeper interoperability with existing EMC-based storage solutions. Savvis's strategic partnerships serve to strengthen its competitive ability in the cloud space.
  • ADTRAN Cloud APs Focus on Manageability (0)December 11, 2012ADTRAN unveils the Bluesocket 1900 virtual wireless LAN access point (AP) designed for system integrators and service providers. With built-in cloud management capabilities and advanced security options, these units are ideal for any partner or MSP attacking large enterprise campuses and vertical environments.
  • KineticD Boosts Cloud Backup Enablement (0)December 11, 2012KineticD is among the chorus of cloud backup providers trying to carve out a competitive edge in the rapidly heating market. And it's hoping to gain ground by equipping partners with a comprehensive set of marketing tools.
  • Windows Migration Has App Challenges (0)December 10, 2012Quest Software outlines migration hurdles in moving applications and processes to Microsoft Window 7 and Windows 8. Partners that need to build out consultative services or find new customer opportunities can migration an on-ramp to discussing more advanced cloud services.
  • Chambers: Cisco Transition Is Growth Mode (0)December 10, 2012Cisco leverages its history of innovation and successful market transitions to make the case that Cisco is equally poised for the world of cloud, software and services. Cisco CEO John Chambers outlines's the strategies that are making these transitions a reality.
  • Despite Regs, Finance Firms to Boost IT Spend (0)December 10, 2012Financial services firms expect to spend more on IT in 2013, and the opening wallets have more to do with improving their businesses and gaining competitive advantage and less to do with merely complying with a growing list of regulations.
  • Pica8: SDN Maturing, Fixing OPEX Woes (0)December 10, 2012Steve Garrison, vice president of marketing at Pica8, discusses the open SDN architecture framework Pica8 is sharing while outlining the hurdles to bringing open SDN capabilities into the channel. SDN carries the promise of alleviating operational expenses for cloud solution providers through automation, which places all SDN technology on an accelerated path to maturation.
  • Google Ends Free Apps Service for Small Biz (0)December 10, 2012Google will no longer offer businesses with fewer than 10 employees free Google Apps service. They will pay the same rate as all other businesses subscribing to the online productivity suite. While this opens a huge pool of potential customers to the channel, it does come with the challenge of convincing small business owners they…
  • Collaboration Opening New Opportunities (0)December 7, 2012Gartner outlines the key steps organizations should take to enhance collaboration capabilities to expand business agility. But while CIO's scratch their heads on how to get it done, the channel can turn confusion into opportunity.
  • Cloud Storage Set for 40 Percent Spike (0)December 7, 2012A MarketsandMarkets research report projected the cloud storage market to reach $46.8 billion by 2018 spurred by the rise of Big Data trends, compelling the channel to re-conceptualize cloud storage as an inherent part of bigger security and data solution portfolios.
  • Rapid7 Metasploit Exploits Network Assessment (0)December 7, 2012Rapid7's Metasploit Pro 4.5 can create an "unscrupulous social engineering campaign" within a controlled environment, allowing network assessment and security VARs to simultaneously educate users about phishing attacks while uncovering the most common threat vectors within an organization.
  • NComputing Goes End-to-End With vSpace (0)December 7, 2012NComputing overhauls its virtualization portfolio as it seeks to deliver an end-to-end virtualization portfolio and expand the capabilities of its channel partners. With a growing subscriber base and a strategic alliance with Citrix, NComputing is a rising star in the virtualization space.
  • Zetta Targets NetApp With Cloud Backup (0)December 7, 2012Cloud backup firm Zetta announces the channel availability of its three-in-one cloud backup solution for NetApp environments, a release that indicates cloud backup is hitting its stride in the SMB.
  • Red Hat Virtualization 3.1 SAP and HP Certified (0)December 6, 2012Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization hits version 3.1, enhancing Red Hat's efforts to build extensible, open-source technologies for the cloud. RHEV 3.1 has also received official certification for SAP Business Apps alongside certification for HP's VirtualSystem platforms.
  • IBM SmartCloud Docs Target Google, Microsoft (0)December 6, 2012IBM launches SmartCloud Docs, a new cloud-based office suite complete with social business and collaboration capabilities. The SmartCloud Docs is also a direct competitive effort against Google Apps and Microsoft's Office 365 as IBM seeks to expand into the midmarket.
  • Citrix Acquires MDM Specialist Zenprise (0)December 5, 2012Citrix confirms it will acquire MDM vendor Zenprise for its advanced device management and security capabilities. Citrix's moves solidify its plans to deliver end-to-end mobility capabilities for BYOD and reinforces Citrix mobile-first agenda, critical in the coming wave of workplace mobility.
  • Avaya Virtualizes Aura to Expand UC Capabilities (0)December 5, 2012Avaya's latest efforts to expand upon its UC platform have lead it to virtualize its communication environment. Avaya Aura VE is a VMware ready platform that provides the all the benefits of Avaya's physical Aura platform into an extensible virtualized communication system for the SMB to the enterprise.
  • HP Launches Converged Cloud Campaign (0)December 5, 2012Hewlett-Packard overhauls its cloud solution portfolio with an eye on fast-tracking the deployment of cloud services and streamlining the ability for cloud providers to build out into the SMB space. Updates to HP Cloud Services Automation, Continuous Delivery Automation and HP CouldSystem are just the start a very large cloud agenda.
  • Microsoft Introduces Cloud Deployment Program (0)December 5, 2012Microsoft announces the Cloud Deployment Program, a new on-ramp to deploying Microsoft services built around the Office 365 ecosystem. But will unusual partner requirements make it difficult for Microsoft to recruit a foundational base for truly cloud-oriented partners?
  • Enterasys, Meraki Wield WiFi Agendas (1)December 4, 2012Enterasys doubles-down on its wireless strategy with a channel program boost built around its IdentiFi WAN technology. Meraki prepares its access points for wide scalability and more sophisticated BYOD demands. Both vendors are on track to capture the rising demand mobility brings upon company infrastructure.
  • VMware Spin-Off Is Virtual ‘Pivotal Initiative’ (0)December 4, 2012VMware's much-rumored spin-off is announced as a "virtual organization," dubbed the Pivotal Initiative. Paul Martiz, former VMware CEO and current EMC CSO, will now head up the virtual organization as VMware and EMC seek to realign their efforts and create a focused developmental outlet for the future of cloud technology.
  • HP’s New Storage Trio Aims for Efficiency (0)December 4, 2012Hewlett Packard launches a trio of storage solutions to automate and streamline the process of storage, bringing enterprise-level technology to SMB budgets. With storage needs continually on the rise -- and HP navigating the Autonomy fallout -- these units may help put HP back on track.
  • vCloud Update Eyes Automation, Management (0)December 3, 2012VMware enhances VMware vCenter Operations Management Suite 5.6 and VMware vFabric Application Director 5.0, bringing next-generation cloud, applications and automation capabilities which are aligned with cloud management needs in the IT channel.
  • EVault Offers Free Cloud Backup (0)December 3, 2012EVault is attempting to make a few waves in in the industry by offering 100 GB of cloud backup free to customers. The move aims to disrupt a heated cloud backup space, but also likely signals an impending commoditization of cloud backup services that could result in more niche and specialized offerings going forward.
  • ManageEngine Drives Data Center Management (0)December 3, 2012ManageEngine launches updates to the IT360 module, bringing deeper integration and monitoring to existing storage solutions. Announced at the Gartner Data Center Conference, ManageEngine's latest efforts are part of a deeper trend in building out "holistic" orchestration platforms for the cloud era.
  • Centrify’s SSO SaaS Push Centers on Channel (0)December 3, 2012Centrify's new Identity-as-a-Service single sign-on capabilities are paired with an effort to expand its channel presence, as Centrify seeks to recruit providers that deliver a mix of SaaS and mobility solutions. By leveraging Microsoft Active Directory as the base management portal, partners can quickly deploy this solution in almost any workplace environment.
  • SMB 500: Lessons Learned by Education VARs (0)December 1, 2012Navigating the education vertical, however, requires special attention to timing and an understanding of budget constraints, the most successful VARs on the Ingram Micro SMB 500 report.
  • Cisco Eyes Cariden Technologies Acquisition (0)November 30, 2012Cisco Systems Inc announces its intent to acquire Cariden Technologies for its prowess on managing massive converged networks. As cloud and solution provider needs expand, maintaining networks across long distances will be come critical for large service providers and telecom customers.
  • Asigra: Cloud Backup on the Rise (0)November 30, 2012A TechValidate study, commissioned by cloud backup firm Asigra, indicates a rise in demand for cloud backup solutions driven by features such as scalability, cost-effectiveness and ease of use.
  • GFI, Cloud Services Alliance Signals Hosting Shift (0)November 30, 2012GFI Max inks a partnership with Cloud Services Depot, offloading management for GFI MAX RemoteManagement users to Cloud Services Depot's NOC, allowing service providers to focus on customer service instead of IT. This relationship indicates a growing trend of the hosted managed services model in the channel.
  • SAP’s SME Focus Is Channel Focus With RDS (0)November 30, 2012At the SAP SME Summit, the enterprise software company focused on how rapid deployment solutions (RDS) can help channel partners bring right-sized and customized solutions to businesses of all kinds. With a growing base of channel partners, SAP has gained considerable momentum with its partner community. With the right moves, this will continue.
  • Dell: Wyse Partners Know We’re Committed (0)November 29, 2012Dell says it did not have to do anything to prove its channel credentials to Wyse's partners following its April acquisition of the thin-client vendor, and plans for the two firms to be fully integrated by April 2013.
  • Red Hat Builds on PaaS With Partner Program (0)November 28, 2012Red Hat expands the OpenShift PaaS Partner Program with new entry-level partner options and the introduction of OpenShift Enterprise for on-premise deployments. With PaaS emerging as a $3 billion battleground, Red Hat is poised to put both open source partners and open source technology at the forefront.
  • VMware May Spin Off ‘Non-Core’ Technology (0)November 28, 2012The rumors about VMware spinning off Cloud Foundry, GemStone and SpringSource into an EMC-based subsidiary are back. If former VMware CEO Paul Martiz heads up the hypothetical organization, it may put VMware and EMC in a much stronger position to compete with rivals in the cloud and virtualization space.
  • Survey: SaaS Attracting More New Users (0)November 28, 2012Businesses are adopting SaaS solutions at a feverish pace and have moved beyond augmenting their existing applications to replacing or adding completely new hosted tools.
  • Trend Micro Security Tool Assesses Cloud, APTs (0)November 27, 2012Endpoint and cloud-security firm Trend Micro launches a do-it-yourself assessment that analyzes security practices around cloud, mobile and advanced persistent threats. It's a ready-made conversation piece for partners looking to talk about customers' security posture.
  • F5 Networks, Riverbed Hit Amazon Web Services (0)November 27, 2012F5 Networks and Riverbed put BIG-IP and Steelhead into the AWS cloud at Amazon's AWS re:Invent partner conference. As the AWS platform gains momentum, more vendors will flock to the cloud to build and expand their existing technology.
  • Avnet Debuts Amazon-Hosted Cloud Packages (0)November 27, 2012Avnet’s services unit is rolling out integrated cloud computing packages hosted by AWS for solution providers looking to quickly spin-up off-premises offerings with reasonable and predictable fixed monthly costs.
  • Alert Logic Releases AWS Log Management (0)November 27, 2012Security-as-a-service firm Alert Logic releases a log management serviced dedicated to Amazon Web Services, a move that underscores growing alarm around public cloud security while opening doors for the channel to refine cloud services.
  • Dell Mobilizes PocketCloud For Windows RT (1)November 27, 2012Dell delivers an upgraded version of the Dell Wyse PocketCloud suite which is now compatible with WIndows 8 RT tablets. Does the rise in vendor-specific cloud portal applications say something about the marginalization of Windows 8 RT as a differentiated computing platform?
  • Cisco Merges Cloud, MSP Programs (0)November 27, 2012Under the new Cloud and Managed Service Program, Cisco is consolidating much of the go-to-market, certification and marketing plans associated with the core of its services channels. The consolidation reflects an increasing convergence in the channel between traditional managed services and cloud computing.
  • AppNeta Brings Device-Level Monitoring to MSPs (0)November 27, 2012AppNeta introduces an update to its cloud-based PathView network performance monitoring solution, allowing MSPs and solution providers to see network traffic and performance on a per-device level, even beyond the network edge. With MSP requirements extending into mobility and remote network management, AppNeta is well-positioned to court the services market.
  • Dell Ambition Apparent In Health Care Pitch (0)November 26, 2012Dell makes an effort to promote its health care alliances and capabilities as it seeks to capture a growing portion of solution provider portfolios and enterprise customers.
  • LabTech Integrates Symantec Backup, SEP (0)November 26, 2012Remote monitoring and management firm LabTech Software is integrating Symantec's backup and endpoint protection capabilities, a move that undoubtedly will give its partners new reach into the managed backup and security space. But the partnership could also help Symantec take incremental steps in cloud and MSP markets, and regain share lost in years prior.
  • Eucalyptus Extends Cloud Capabilities (0)November 26, 2012Eucalyptus launches Eucalyptus 3.2, a new version of the open-source cloud platform designed to streamline the management and provisioning of hybrid and mixed cloud environments -- a well-timed upgrade in an increasingly complex cloud market.
  • Revstream Wrangles Cloud Revenue (0)November 26, 2012Revstream delivers a centralized, cloud-based SaaS management console to help keep solution providers on track with recurring revenue streams, customer SLAs and shifting demands in service delivery. Is this indicative of a larger trend towards cloud management capabilities?
  • Dell Software Chief Nixes Hardware-Only Model (0)November 26, 2012John Swainson, president of Dell’s newly formed software group, is dismissing the notion that any technology company can operate solely through hardware sales. Many vendors are following this train of thought. It’s time the channel starts getting in line, too.
  • ‘New Era’ Dawns for Microsoft Partners (0)November 26, 2012Microsoft detailed partner network changes in an open letter from Worldwide Partner Group chief Jon Roskill, who said the updated network proves partnering with Microsoft is "the best decision you can make for your business."
  • How HP Can Salvage the Autonomy Debacle (0)November 26, 2012HP desperately needs to find a way to integrate Autonomy's data management technology into its software strategy regardless of the price tag. The channel can help.
  • Mobile Solution Providers Will Focus on Apps (0)November 23, 2012With the rise of ARM-based CPUs and mobility in the channel, forward-thinking solution providers should outline how to deliver services and software to mobile devices, not just around them. As devices become increasingly more powerful, so too will software application capabilities; thus, it will fall on the channel to sort through the sea of mobile…
  • IDC Survey: Enterprise Needs Cloud Integrators (0)November 21, 2012An IDC survey sponsored by Infosys Ltd. uncovers enterprise are increasingly more willing to adopt private and hybrid cloud deployment models -- the only problem? The enterprise also needs knowledgeable cloud-based solutions providers to help them deploy it.
  • Cloud Takes Hold in High-End Outsourcing (0)November 21, 2012Cloud is becoming increasingly prevalent in big-ticket outsourcing deals, research from Information Services Group has found.
  • AstuteNET Partner Program Adds Flash Value (0)November 21, 2012Astute Networks launches a three-tier partner program for resellers, solution providers and distribution partners to expand its market reach with the ViSX Flash VM virtualization storage acceleration appliance. Partners specializing in speed, productivity and optimization may find a tight fit.
  • Gridstore Partner Program Is Storage On-Ramp (0)November 20, 2012Gridstore launches the Gridstore Accelerate Partner Program, which has a heavy focus on partner incentives and ground-up grooming for delivering high-end storage solutions that are well built to provide reoccurring revenue from midmarket players.
  • Windows Server 2012 Arrives on AWS (0)November 20, 2012Microsoft Windows Server 2012 hits the Amazon Web Services cloud, continuing the legacy of Windows Server capabilities delivered through Amazon. There's also renewed focus on .NET and Web application support, as solution providers, internal IT teams and more seek to streamline cloud app provisioning and development.
  • Cloud, Mobile Create Big Security Challenges (0)November 20, 2012A CompTIA study indicates organizations adopting cloud and mobile technologies for productivity and convenience are facing mounting security issues.These days, organizations are demanding a higher level of expertise, clearing a path for partners to hone expertise and beef up skills by investing in related certifications and specializations.
  • Red Hat Promotes Linux in Open Cloud Push (0)November 20, 2012Red Hat promotes Linux as the original cloud OS, espousing its portability, consistency and extensibility as key factors that make it more cloud-friendly than other major operating systems. But does Red Hat's evangelizing of Linux have less to do with what it can provide today and more to do with the cloud platforms of the future?
  • Panda Goes Upmarket With UTM Launch (0)November 19, 2012Panda Security is leveraging its cloud prowess to go upmarket with the launch of a perimeter security appliance line geared for larger midmarket and enterprise companies. For partners, ths leaves a wider berth to make the leap from cloud services into the UTM space.
  • Gartner: PaaS a $2.9 Billion Battleground in 2016 (0)November 19, 2012Gartner predicts the platform-as-a-service market to rise to 1.5 billion by 2013 with an adoption rate that will make PaaS a $2.9 billion market in 2016. With all the signs pointing to rapid cloud adoption, system integrators and solution providers should start building and aligning themselves with vendors that can provide the right tools to…
  • Riverbed Stingray Stocked at AWS Marketplace (0)November 19, 2012Riverbed expands its optimization footprint by placing the Stingray Traffic Manager into the Amazon Web Services cloud, boosting the reach of its optimization capabilities and providing a more flexible way to deliver its platform.
  • 2013 Enterprise Spending to Hit $2.6 Trillion (0)November 19, 2012Gartner predicts enterprise IT spending will hit $2.6 trillion in 2013. Based on adjustments in budgetary planning, the drive to more efficient IT and demands for modernization, 2013 will offer a sizable opportunity for solution providers and system integrators that know where to look.
  • Cisco Bets $1.2B on Cloud With Meraki Buy (0)November 19, 2012Cisco made another bold move into cloud-based networking on Sunday with the $1.2 billion purchase of San Francisco-based start-up Meraki, maker of Wi-Fi, switching, security and mobile device management centrally managed from the cloud.
  • Gale Technologies Helps Build Dell’s Enterprise (0)November 16, 2012Dell acquires infrastructure management and automation company Gale Technologies as it makes strides in delivering end-to-end technology capabilities that meet next generation data center needs for both on-premise and hybrid deployments. To complement the acquisition, Dell has also launched its own enterprise systems and solutions group.
  • LockPath Boosts GRC With Platform Refresh (0)November 16, 2012Governance risk and compliance firm LockPath is upping the ante in the market with a refresh of its cloud-based GRC platform Keylight 3.0, equipping the solution with a slew of advanced reporting, integration and assessment capabilities. At the end of the day, that gives partners the ability to take another hard look at GRC as…
  • SMBs Want More Technology, Fewer IT Workers (0)November 16, 2012Small and midsize businesses expect to spend more for information technology, especially to incorporate mobile devices and cloud computing into their organizations, but they plan on hiring fewer IT professionals to get the job done, a new survey reveals. Can the channel capitalize?
  • Sundaram: Cisco Cloud Plans Are on Track (0)November 16, 2012Cisco's Raja Sundaram discusses the direction Cisco has taken to deliver cloud capabilities to its partners as it reshapes its business model around more software-based partner services.
  • SAP Launches Cloud Apps Partner Program (0)November 15, 2012SAP launches the SAP NetWeaver Cloud Applications Partner Program, creating a developmental community around the NetWeaver platform as SAP seeks to accelerate its momentum into the cloud and mobility space and garner a base of ISVs and solution providers specializing in customization.
  • Dell Delivers Refresh to Compellent & PowerVault (0)November 15, 2012Dell unleashes updates to its Dell Compellent and PowerVault storage technologies at the EMEA Dell Storage Forum 2012. Dell's focus is on providing end-to-end storage solutions that deliver on speed, reliability and expandability.
  • IBM Readies $4 Billion in Financing (0)November 15, 2012IBM seeks to start a domino-effect of next-gen technology and cloud adoption by amassing $4 billion in financing to be made available exclusively through its business channel partners. Solution providers working with customers that have modest means may suddenly have a new opportunity to modernize.
  • CloudShare Offers SAP HANA Dev Cloud (0)November 14, 2012CloudShare offers pre-configured cloud-based SAP HANA application development environments, allowing wide-scale testing and development of SAP HANA applications with nearly zero infrastructure needed. As the world comes to rely on super-charged cloud apps, in-memory database testing platforms like these will be the staging ground for specialized solution provider offerings.
  • CA Data Center Study: Roadblocks & Opportunity (0)November 14, 2012A new study from CA Technologies has shown that organizations are struggling with new data center technology because roadblocks and existing data center problems are causing setbacks. But these barriers to innovation are perfect channel opportunities.
  • Cisco Pleases Wall Street Amid Internal Transition (0)November 14, 2012Cisco's earnings beat Wall Street amid lowered expectations, but the company still has a long way to go to maintain a profitable leadership position in the industry. Cisco's earnings show a company still undergoing internal changes.
  • Oracle Cloud Portfolio Gets Padded (0)November 13, 2012Oracle's acquisition of enterprise management vendor Instantis, coupled with its investment into PaaS company Engine Yard, may reveal Oracle is still striving to build more sophisticated cloud technology amid a competitive marketplace of rivals. Is Oracle's cloud environment really ready for prime-time?
  • Big Switch Networks Gives SDN Big Push (0)November 13, 2012Big Switch Networks launches a trio of virtualized networking solutions that bring a robust software-defined networking platform to the market. With SDN opening the doors to more sophisticated networking capabilities, solution providers may find it's a great source of value-add in an increasingly cloud-centric world.
  • Tough Tech M&A Scene Has Trendy Bright Spots (1)November 13, 2012Pressured by a challenging global economy, technology mergers and acquisitions continue their downward, but a few M&A bright spots remain in trending areas familiar to most successful channel players.
  • Network Assessment is Business Enablement (0)November 13, 2012A Cisco Channels blog highlights why channel partners should use network assessments to ensure major technology upgrades are both customized and right-sized before implementation. But Cisco's recommendations can be easily applied to many of the leading spaces that dominate the IT industry. It's not just a smart move, it has the potential to increase a…
  • Lantronix xPrintServer Simplifies Mobile Printing (0)November 12, 2012Lantronix launches the business-ready xPrintServer, delivering mobile printing to the workplace without any major configuration required by the end-user or network administrator. Solution providers can use Lanronix's portfolio as an on-ramp to managed print or to enhance existing print services.
  • Silver Peak, Dell Compellent Supercharge WAN (0)November 12, 2012Silver Peak Systems brings its easy-to-deploy virtual acceleration architecture to the Dell Compellent storage environment, speeding up replication practices and accelerating data movement across storage sites.
  • IDC Cloud Forecast Predicts Vertical Opportunity (0)November 12, 2012IDC's latest report on the public cloud services market predicts continuing growth and revenue expansion through all cloud industry segments. With many other signs of adoption increases hitting the channel, solution providers should use these market metrics to map out path to cloud prominence.
  • Amid Enterprise File-Sharing, E-mail Dies (0)November 9, 2012Citrix and NetApp join forces to make enterprise file storage and sharing more secure and ubiquitous, but their partnership may signal a larger trend on the shifting styles of collaboration in the enterprise. Will communication and collaboration technology converge to marginalize e-mail?
  • Ingram Micro, Desktone Partner for Cloud VDI (0)November 9, 2012Solution providers looking to augment their cloud portfolios with on-demand virtual desktops available from any client device have new options courtesy of a cooperative effort between Desktone and distributor Ingram Micro.
  • Dell Wyse Cloud Client Manager Wrangles BYOD (0)November 9, 2012Dell unleashes the Dell Wyse Cloud Client Manager, giving solution providers and IT admins an all-encompassing look into the network for virtualization and mobile management needs. With built-in compliance policies and easy-to-use remote software, Dell's solution delivers on its efforts to be an end-to-end vendor.
  • ManageEngine Delivers Granular MSP Billing (0)November 8, 2012ManageEngine delivers a billing integration module for the ServiceDesk Plus platform, allowing MSPs to get a granular look at customer usage while automating the tracking and billing of client resources and services.
  • HP Overhauls HP-UX, Integrity, Superdome 2 (0)November 8, 2012HP's latest updates boost HP-UX, HP Integrity servers and HP Superdome 2 as HP seeks to provide the a data center foundation that will support next-generation IT workloads well into 2020.
  • Trend Micro MSP Program Eases Cloud Shift (0)November 8, 2012Trend Micro is making some major revisions to its MSP program that attempt to ease the way for solution providers in transition between traditional reseller and managed service models. However, the Tokyo-based security firm likely sees a market opportunity to monetize the entirety of customers' hybrid environments--one which partners can also leverage to expand services…
  • IDC Pinpoints Growing Application Markets (0)November 8, 2012IDC's latest predictions on the software market show that CRM, collaboration applications and virtualization are leading the business software market. For budding solution providers, these figures should provide a solid barometer of where best to specialize in 2013 and beyond.
  • Gap Widens Between Cloud Policies, Practice (0)November 8, 2012A study by cloud storage vendor Symform indicated a widening gap between cloud theory and practice. Not surprising. But that also means that despite cloud's popularity, there is still plenty of room for the channel to clear up misconceptions and put customers on the straight and narrow with their cloud strategies.
  • CA Enhances Service Management Portfolio (0)November 7, 2012CA Technologies enhances the CA Services Management portfolio with updates to the CA IT Asset Manager and CA Service Desk Manager, improving upon automated and intelligent tasks that can streamline work for both MSPs and IT admins.
  • LogicMonitor Connects to ConnectWise (0)November 7, 2012LogicMonitor debuts on the ConnectWise professional services automation platform, bringing a more holistic approach to IT infrastructure monitoring and management while ConnectWise continues to gain vendor support that fuels a growing base of MSPs.
  • Asigra Rolls Out Cloud Backup (0)November 7, 2012Asigra is attempting to make its mark in the rapidly filling cloud backup space with the launch of a cloud-based data recovery suite. But the Toronto-based firm is hoping to make new dents in this space with features such as cloud application support, mobile endpoint support and virtual disaster recovery for VMware environments, which promises…
  • AMD Bets Piledriver Will Drive Up Virtualization (0)November 7, 2012AMD's latest Opteron 6300 Series processors (nick-named Piledriver) set the stage for scalable virtualization systems that can handle large workloads with low power. Solution providers should take a peek at the CPU tech specs, particularly those specializing in virtualization and cloud systems -- or just consolidating data centers.
  • Cybersecurity Top Priority for Federal Verticals (0)November 6, 2012A study commissioned by Lockheed Martin and Cyber Security Alliance partners indicates cybersecurity is a top priority among federal, military and intelligence verticals. Despite previous setbacks, government and other public sector partners might do well to lay a foundation of strategy and policy in anticipation of future federal cybersecurity investments.
  • Oracle Test Services Refine Cloud Apps (0)November 6, 2012Oracle's new testing-as-a-service capabilities seek to help service providers, customers, partners and developers build robust apps for
  • HP Mobile Thin Clients Now Cloud-App Ready (0)November 6, 2012Hewlett-Packard launches a new laptop-style mobile thin client alongside a new and improved HP Device Manager, offering a modest boost to its virtualization portfolio with a thin client that is purpose-built to handle intensive mission-critical cloud and virtualized applications.
  • eFolder Gear Meshes Dell On-prem, Cloud BDR (0)November 6, 2012Managed service providers working with AppAssure backup tools from Dell Inc. have expanded options for selling and deploying hybrid BDR systems, courtesy of new appliances from eFolder.
  • Cisco Morphs TelePresence into a Cloud Service (0)November 6, 2012Cisco is accelerating channel enablement plans to push is avant garde TelePresence high-definition video collaboration platform a cloud-based service, freeing customers from deploying expensive infrastructure. It’s a good idea, but the bigger question is whether it will be enough to stave off low-cost rivals already in market?
  • Spiceworks Cloud Program Brings Apps to SMBs (0)November 6, 2012Spiceworks launches the Spiceworks Cloud Program, creating a platform that will help cloud vendors deliver their wares directly to the SMB communities that need them. Solution providers with cloud-based developmental efforts may find this an ideal on-ramp to market.
  • Crossbeam Adds Elite Tier in Channel Expansion (0)November 5, 2012Crossbeam Systems is expanding its channel program to incorporate an Elite tier, aimed at rewarding its top performers with added support, resources, training and marketing materials. But when all's said and done, the moves speaks to the fact that end user environments are becoming more complex, and customers have little choice but to turn to…
  • Enterasys IdentiFi Allows Wide-Scale BYOD (0)November 5, 2012Enterasys continues to bolster its wireless networking capabilities with IdentiFi, a new wireless solution set that is designed for "hyper-dense" wireless deployments that can accommodate any size enterprise environment. With mobility on the rise, wireless infrastructure is a smart place for partners to specialize.
  • Brocade Finds SDN Love in Vyatta Acquisition (0)November 5, 2012Brocade picks up Vyatta as it seeks to expand its software-defined networking capabilities. However, with outgoing CEO Mike Klayko unsuccessful attempts at selling the company, Brocade's latest acquisition could also be an effort to add value to Brocade's bottom line.
  • Cloud Adoption Sparks Services Spending Shift (0)November 5, 2012Gartner's latest research suggests that, while cloud services are converging and combining, they're always expanding. With organizations shifting budgetary requirements to more external IT services, solution providers should be gearing up to meet the demand.
  • Cisco’s Services Attitude Shows Disconnect (0)November 2, 2012Cisco's own Edison Peres opines that as-a-service consumption models are just starting to evolve and seeks partner feedback on the state of customer discussions. But if Cisco has only recognized this "new consumption model" now, it may mean Cisco is out of touch with the real needs of its partner community, and the IT channel…
  • HP Targets SMB With New Storage, Networking (0)November 2, 2012HP unleashes a new lineup of storage and networking solutions to bring a more modern data center to the burgeoning SMB. With channelized networking solutions that focus on wireless and mobility, opportunity exists for solution providers to build mobile-centric SMB offerings.
  • Cisco Updates Cloud Automation Platform (0)November 1, 2012Cisco takes to the cloud with version 3.1 of the Intelligent Automation tool for Cloud. Amid disparate cloud and multi-user provisioning environments, Cisco hopes to streamline and automate the use of private infrastructure resources to truly deliver on the promise of a private cloud.
  • Nirvanix Taps Brocade for Cloud Infrastructure (0)November 1, 2012Cloud storage specialist Nirvanix has tapped networking company Brocade for its networking technology, providing an overhaul to Nirvanix's scalable cloud storage solutions. Enhancements are always a bonus to the channel, but this partnership signals something deeper about technology convergence.
  • EMC Expands Velocity Service Provider Program (0)November 1, 2012EMC wants to capture a greater share of the expanding cloud channel by providing more support to service providers delivering cloud, solution providers building clouds and channel partners developing new cloud capacities. The approach is similar to those taken by other vendors, which raises questions about changing channel dynamics.
  • Citrix Eases VDI Roll Out With Project Accelerator (0)November 1, 2012Citrix launches a new and improved Project Accelerator, giving virtualization solution providers an easy-to-use tool in both the consultative and continuing development stages of virtualization migrations and VDI roll-out.
  • Post-Sandy Dispatch From Long Island (1)October 31, 20122112 Headquarters was disabled by Hurricane Sandy. Fortunately, our team across the region made it through the storm and is back in operations. We have a few observations from the front lines of the biggest disaster to befall the Northeast in a generation.
  • VMware Study Uncovers Cloud IaaS Adoption (0)October 31, 2012A VMware survey uncovers cloud infrastructure-as-a-service adoption has moved beyond initial wariness and into full-on execution. But while customers are eager to adopt, there's qualifications that must be met before trust is fully placed into the cloud. Solution providers: Take note.
  • Lenovo Introduces Enterprise Product Group (0)October 31, 2012Lenovo eyes the enterprise as it expands its PC-making business with the Lenovo Enterprise Product Group. With ex-Dell brass heading up the new group, Lenovo plans to target cloud, server and storage with new products and a growing channel presence.
  • Updated Splunk Big Data Tools Speed App Dev (0)October 31, 2012The Big Data tools vendor this week rolled out a new version of its eponymous flagship product giving developers a faster, more resilient and easier to use applications platform.
  • IT Pros Most Confident About Economy, Jobs (0)October 30, 2012A new study out today shows confidence among IT workers is the highest among all of the industries tracked and the rosy mood continues to rise thanks to continued innovations in areas such as cloud computing.
  • HP Revamps Printers With Speed, Integrations (0)October 30, 2012Hewlett Packard revamped its flagship printers with accelerated speed and cloud integration features--a move that makes good on Whitman's pledge to regain profitability in print markets. For the channel, the launch could open a few more doors to customers, while possibly creating new niches that satisfy print needs amid burgeoning cloud and Big Data trends.
  • Avoiding the ‘Invoice Relationship’ Trap (1)October 30, 2012Managed and cloud services automate many of the IT maintenance and support tasks that require on-site support. Services are lucrative to solution providers as it means doing more tasks remotely. This also creates an opportunity for account disruption -- something solution providers cannot afford.
  • WatchGuard Tweaks MSSP Revenues (0)October 29, 2012WatchGuard Technologies has rolled out changes to its MSSP program that aligns services revenues more closely with subscription models. The program tweaks address profitability and management concerns that were a barrier to entry for service providers transitioning customers to subscription-based services.
  • Riverbed Optimizes Optimization With OPNET (0)October 29, 2012Riverbed expands its network optimization prowess by acquiring OPNET Technologies, bringing an additional layer of network and application performance management, reporting and visibility to Riverbed's solution set. Amid the boom of hosted solutions, Riverbed's acquisition is well timed, especially as MSPs are tasked with ensuring quality-of-service in multi-tenant and multi-cloud environments.
  • 2013 Tech Trends Are Channel Aligned (0)October 29, 2012Mobility, cloud and advanced computing technologies are taking focus in 2013, painting a bright picture of opportunity for channel partners that are looking to take the next step in delivering next-generation solutions.
  • New Relic Rolls Out Channel Program (0)October 26, 2012SaaS-based cloud application performance management firm New Relic, Inc launched a new channel program, which aims to bolster partners' capabilities and value by combining New Relic's solutions with their own. Meanwhile, the new partner program is a testament to the expansion of performance management niches, which will likely only continue to grow as organizations bump…
  • Windows 8 May Herald Windows XP Migrations (0)October 26, 2012Windows 8 has arrived, but for many businesses, the road to Windows 7 is just beginning. Cloud provider TerraCloud says the "tip of the iceberg" has arrived for Windows XP migration woes, but channel partners can flip these troubles into opportunities with a few simple steps.
  • FatCloud Offers .NET Approach to Cloud (0)October 26, 2012FatCloud offers a way for ISVs and solution providers to build easy-to-deploy cloud and mobile applications by leveraging .NET against the company's specialized cloud backbone and Microsoft's Windows Communication Foundation.
  • Gartner Offers Simple 3-Part MDM Strategy (0)October 25, 2012Gartner outlines a simple 3-step plan that can help both channel partners and customers manage and built a more security mobile device strategy as tablets take hold in the enterprise.
  • Box Enterprise Ambitions Expand to Windows 8 (0)October 25, 2012Box Inc. launches their Windows 8 application, providing users with a deep level of integration that can nearly supplant local storage on Windows 8 devices. As Box vies more enterprise customers, this cloud solution is unique way for users to leverage its services and create stickiness. Partners sell storage solutions should take note.
  • Windows 8 a Transitional Challenge for Partners (0)October 25, 2012Microsoft Partners speak out on Windows 8, discussing the migration challenges and the future of Windows for the business world. Like many Windows refreshes in the past, the latest is likely to be a journey with many challenges, but if the conditions are right, it could be one worth taking.
  • N-able Enables Partner Upgrades at Summit (0)October 24, 2012At N-able's global partner summit, N-able focuses on partner growth with a continuation of their freemium licensing program, in addition to automation integration with Autotask and ConnectWise for improved work flow and network assessments.
  • Whitman to Cisco: HP’s Hand Better Than Yours (3)October 24, 2012Cisco's John Chambers said HP lost its way and might not survive a coming industry shakeout. Now it's Meg Whitman's turn to fire back.
  • Data Security Is Focus as Apple Eyes Enterprise (0)October 24, 2012Apple's iPad mini sets the stage for an expansion of tablets in the enterprise, likely requiring channel partners to support more devices. But as devices expand, the real focus won't be on the tablets themselves, but the protection of data therein.
  • Riverbed Gives MSPs Virtualized App Monitoring (0)October 23, 2012Riverbed launches Cascade 10, equipped with a full line of network performance tools to monitor virtual appliances. The company seeks to give service providers the ability to deliver application performance management-as-a-service with a layer of optimization.
  • Cisco: Cloud Data Set for Six-Fold Rise (0)October 23, 2012A Cisco Systems, Inc. study indicated that data center traffic is set to quadruple, driven primarily by cloud data that is projected grow by a factor of six by 2016. In light of the anticipated barrage of Big Data, partners will need to be standing by to ready and optimize networks to ensure customer performance.
  • Incapsula Unveils Hosting Partner Program (0)October 23, 2012Incapsula launches a new web hosting partner program, bringing a unique virtualized security perimeter to cloud and web-based services. Solution providers that deliver exclusively through the cloud may also find Incapsula's new cPanel plugin useful for security insight and visibility.
  • Ingram Micro Names Top Vendor Partners (0)October 23, 2012Ingram Micro Inc. recently gave props to the vendors who supply the gear and the tools that make IT services happen.
  • SMBs Seek Channel Amid Complexity (0)October 23, 2012A new survey from The NPD Group suggests channel opportunity is still bountiful in the SMB community, particularly with complex storage, server and network infrastructure implementation. What does this say about the future of channel services?
  • Huawei in Mind as Candidates Spar Over China (1)October 22, 2012The U.S. presidential candidates may have avoided naming technology companies specifically, but the specter of Chinese industrial espionage and security threats at the hands of companies like Huawei and ZTE was top of mind during a vigorous foreign policy debate Monday night.
  • Amazon AWS Outage Amps Cloud Concerns (2)October 22, 2012The Amazon Web Services outage that took out several major Web sites earlier today is bound to have ramifications beyond just the millions of users who couldn’t vote up their favorite Reddit post or check in with their friends on Foursquare.
  • CloudLock Firewall Locks-Down Google Apps (0)October 22, 2012CloudLock brings its flavor of firewall technology to the Google Apps ecosystem, providing a simplified way to protect critical Google App data from 3rd party web-apps that live in the Google Apps ecosystem. Google App resellers and cloud solution providers can leverage CloudLock to bring a built-in layer of security to the Google Apps domain.
  • IBM Secures Big Data, Cloud, Mobile Platforms (0)October 22, 2012IBM rolled out a comprehensive serial security solutions that protect cloud, mobile and Big Data environments. The mission? Overcoming security as the primary objection to adoption, which will no doubt give parters a few more cards to play when approaching customers. But the roll-out also indicates an inevitable paradigm shift to holistic, multi-platform security solutions.
  • HP Services Anywhere Is Service Desk Cloud (0)October 22, 2012HP launches HP Services Anywhere SaaS suite, bringing a cloud-based service desk to enterprise corporations looking for a streamlined way to replace ailing help-desk resolution services. With flexible licensing options, solution providers could also use this solution for their own purposes.
  • Business Apps Come Into Focus in 2013 (1)October 22, 2012A Zenprise survey shows more businesses are taking mobile initiatives and developing in-house apps to suit business needs and bring mobility into the workplace. As the trend increases, there's potential for the channel to capitalize on this demand and shape the mobile-first future today.
  • WatchGuard, AVG Ease Security Management (1)October 22, 2012WatchGuard Technologies is releasing a “self-provisioning” firewall, while AVG Technologies is entering the managed services segment with an easy setup and admin antivirus and Web filtering platform. The underlying theme: simplifying security.
  • HP May Be Gearing Up for Storage Push (0)October 22, 2012Reports indicated Hewlett-Packard is cutting ties with solid-state storage partner Violin Memory and bringing its 3PAR acquisition to the front lines. The move, if proven true, could signal HP is looking to grow its $4 billion storage business into a significant contender against the likes of EMC and NetApp.
  • KeepItSafe Launches Online Backup Channel (0)October 19, 2012Online backup and disaster recovery provider KeepItSafe is attempting to carve a bigger niche in the online backup market with a new channel program rollout that gives partners the ability to expand specialized services for their SMB and other customers. The launch is also a testament to the cloud's rapid momentum in the backup and…
  • Optimization Services Take Focus in 2017 (0)October 19, 2012New reports from ABI Research predict that optimization services will become part of the normal managed services routine, especially as the volume of complex data on networks comes up against the limitations of bandwidth and the ongoing demand for more responsive cloud services.
  • Windows 8 Tablet-Ready, Desktop Not So Much (0)October 18, 2012Mike Romp of SWC Technology talks about his experience with Windows 8 and where Windows 8 tablets fit in to the workplace. The bottom line? Windows 8 is a complement -- not a replacement strategy -- for existing Windows deployments.
  • Seculert Service Adds Big Data Forensics (0)October 18, 2012Cloud security firm Seculert has launched a new cloud service, which applies a Big Data analytics to detect Advanced Persistent Threats. For now, that gives partners a competitive advantage in tackling sophisticated malware for customers. But increasingly evasive and complex threats will likely make analytics turn into a security necessity in the not-too-distant future.
  • SAP HANA One Hits AWS Marketplace (0)October 18, 2012SAP launches SAP HANA One for the Amazon Web Services cloud, allowing customers and service providers to quickly launch and deploy both 'forward facing' and internal HANA applications that use SAP HANA's in-memory database capabilities.
  • Level Platforms Offers Automation Overhaul (0)October 17, 2012Level Platform's introduces Managed Workplace 2012 R2, featuring enhanced cloud connectivity, new automation tools, refined device provisioning and reporting capabilities, all designed to give MSPs more overhead to breathe and more room to grow.
  • CA Updates ARCserve, New Licensing for MSPs (0)October 17, 2012CA Technologies overhauls ARCserve to offer high-availability, cross-platform, cloud-based backup capabilities, in addition to new licensing options for MSPs which should make adopting recovery capabilities a more simplified and manageable process.
  • Microsoft Buying Cloud Storage Ace StorSimple (0)October 16, 2012Whatever traction solution providers were seeing developing hybrid storage systems as an adjunct to Azure cloud services was dealt a stiff blow when Microsoft announced it was acquiring StorSimple.
  • Two-Factor Authentication Set For Revival? (1)October 16, 2012The New York Times recently heralded two-factor authentication as a means to reduce Web site hacks for major services such as Google and Amazon. While the security solution has been slow to gain momentum in most market segments, cloud and mobile technologies could serve to rekindle growth and allow the channel to reach a wider…
  • Cisco Shows New Cloud Collaboration Wares (0)October 16, 2012Cisco is looking to come at collaboration from all conceivable cloud angles -- and to take their partners along for the ride -- with new enhancements to its telepresence, Web conferencing, unified communications and contact center solutions portfolio.
  • Selling Backup and Recovery: Fear Vs. Comfort (0)October 16, 2012How do you convince clients they need backup or dissuade them from free consumer storage options? Strike a little fear in their hearts, then bundle it in a service they love.
  • What Declining Search Says About Selling Services (0)October 16, 2012Research shows overall web search traffic is in decline as users flock to more relevant and personalized ways to get at information. What does this trend in search tell us about how solution providers should target their own apps, solutions and services?
  • Rackspace Validates Private Cloud Partners (0)October 15, 2012Rackspace launches a new set of certifications built around private cloud technologies, giving its partner community the ability to specialize and differentiate themselves in the private cloud marketplace while validating their designs and solutions against the Rackspace Cloud.
  • McAfee Releases Spate Of Database Suites (0)October 15, 2012McAfee released a slew of database security suites aimed at protecting both physical and virtual environments, heralding an era of multi-platform threats and channel opportunities to bulk up cross-platform expertise.
  • SAP’s Mobile Apps Strategy Slow But Steady (0)October 15, 2012SAP's Mobile Apps Program spurs new enterprise-ready apps, alongside a renewed focus on the company's mobile strategy. But what can SAP's efforts tell us about the evolution of the mobile-first landscape?
  • Dell’s Windows 8 Lineup Revealed (0)October 12, 2012Dell launches its first fleet of Windows 8 PCs custom-built to be sleek, stylish and functional for the business world. With a heavy nod to the BYOD trend and consumer needs, Dell's units are well-equipped for Microsoft's new operating system.
  • Verizon Expands MDM With Mobility-as-a-Service (0)October 12, 2012Verizon has significantly expanded its mobile device management solution with the launch of Enterprise Mobility-as-a-Service, an end-to-end release bolstered with security and management capabilities that aims to take territory in the MDM space while curbing MDM efforts by security industry peers.
  • Avaya’s Scopia Specialization Targets Polycom (0)October 12, 2012Avaya rolls out its Radvision Scopia video solution certification for all Avaya Connect channel partners. With more partners gearing up to deliver video solutions, Avaya is positioning itself against rivals like Polycom, which have been dominating the video-conferencing space.
  • Simpana 9 Now Ready for Windows Server 2012 (0)October 11, 2012CommVault's Simpana 9 now arrives with full integration into Microsoft's upcoming Windows Server 2012 system. With hooks into the Azure Cloud, solution providers can automate advanced data migration, protection and archiving capabilities for the underlying data driving mission-critical cloud applications and VMs.
  • Google Launches Google Apps Reseller APIs (0)October 11, 2012Google launches a set of reseller APIs that allow customizable access to Google Apps, alongside streamlined abilities to view customer information and bring new customers into the Google Apps ecosystem via self-service portals.
  • Amazon Brings AWS Features to GovCloud (0)October 11, 2012Amazon's surge of government customers has promoted updates and expansions to the Amazon Web Services GovCloud platform, which now supports many AWS features and has an expanded base of compliance capabilities. With many government agencies moving to the cloud, the proliferation of this platform is well timed for AWS partners.
  • IBM, AT&T Partner on Secure Cloud Service (0)October 10, 2012IBM is attempting to raise its cloud profile, partnering with AT&T to offer a joint “network-enabled” cloud service that provides access to IBM’s backend infrastructure over AT&T’s secure network. The duo is playing the security angle, a move that might be crucial in differentiating against Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle and other major competitors.
  • SAP: Channel Maturing, Says Gilroy, Wilkinson (0)October 10, 2012SAP provides an update to the growth channel program, which outlines how SAP is mobilizing its channel presence as it seeks to gain a competitive edge against rivals like Oracle in business intelligence space.
  • ExpressPod Brings FlexPod to the SMB (0)October 10, 2012Cisco and NetApp team to expand the FlexPod ecosystem to the SMB with a streamlined ExpressPod system. With boosted partner support for the new solution set, Cisco may be looking to capture more of the private cloud market, especially as Oracle attempts similar feats.
  • CA Folds Nimsoft Into Larger Portfolio (0)October 10, 2012Nearly two and a half years after acquiring Nimsoft, CA Technologies is ending the autonomy of the managed services enabling unit and will bring it into closer alignment with the rest of the company’s broader services portfolio.
  • Cloud Choice Today Matters Tomorrow (0)October 10, 2012As the cloud matures and solution providers partner up with vendors, deciding which cloud vendor to align with will become important to the overall outcome of success in the cloud services space. Currently, open source solutions have come up against vertically integrated cloud stacks, but which solution platform is right for the future?
  • Windows Server 2012 Essentials Hits RTM (0)October 9, 2012Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Essentials released to manufacturing has arrived. The official replacement and successor to Windows Small Business Server still carries some hiccups, but the platform still remains a true on-ramp to Microsoft's new cloud services and its cloud-centric direction.
  • VMware Expands vCloud Management Suite (0)October 9, 2012VMware expands its vCloud Management Suite to support multiple hypervisors, allowing the management and provisioning of heterogenous cloud environments, including the Amazon EC2 ecosystem.
  • IBM Delivers Big Data in a Box (0)October 9, 2012Just in time for Halloween, IBM cooked up a series of new PureSystems offerings designed to make transactions management and Big Data a lot less scary. And they are definitely looking to the channel to hand out the goodies.
  • SMB 500: New Normal in Networking Is Growth (0)October 9, 2012Findings from Ingram Micro and The 2112 Group’s SMB 500 study show that, despite the growth of cloud and connected services, there's still one section of hardware that continues to pay dividends in the cloud era -- networking technology.
  • WebPlatform Pushes Open Web Agenda (0)October 9, 2012WebPlatform.org has been established, designed to become a one-stop shop for all developmental information on open web technologies. With backing by Adobe, Apple, Facebook, Google, HP, Microsoft, Mozilla, Nokia, and Opera, is the shape of web-based apps and services about to change?
  • Trend Micro Adds Analytics To “Custom Defense” (0)October 9, 2012Trend Micro has infused its latest threat detection solution, dubbed "Custom Defense," with a slew of intelligence, analytics and advanced security tools designed to combat Advanced Persistent Threats. The release is among several to leverage intelligence to tackle the rising tide of APTs, but will likely still prove profitable for partners, setting the stage for…
  • Government Agencies Covet the Cloud (0)October 8, 2012A new survey reveals that federal agencies, while open to cloud technology and adoption, are finding the actual transition to cloud daunting. With security, compliance and private cloud needs rising, channel partners have a unique opportunity to deliver the remedy that ails federal agencies.
  • Polycom CloudAXIS Is Video-Conferencing Ally (0)October 8, 2012Polycom launches CloudAXIS, a unique video-collaboration-as-a-service technology that delivers interoperable HD conferencing to the Polycom RealPresence platform by leveraging Skype, Google Talk and Facebook clients as the on-ramp to Polycom's browser-based collaboration portal.
  • Gartner Highlights Server Growth Through 2015 (0)October 5, 2012Gartner outlines three key server spaces that are set to expand into 2015. MSPs and VARs can leverage this information to help focus their investments and prepare for the cloud world as it will be in 2015.
  • Services Means Tech Companies Will Shrink (1)October 5, 2012The technology services evolution has the power to make vendors and solution providers more profitable as revenue and expenses become more predictable. Services also mean that companies will constrict as market dynamics shift to more scalable delivery mechanism that require fewer resources. In some cases, shrinking top line revenues will be a sign of good…
  • Study: Open-Source Cloud Still Solidifying (0)October 5, 2012A survey from Zenoss reveals that organizations are open to open-source technologies, but still have reservations about adopting them. Solution providers and MSPs can build open cloud platforms that are not only mature, but specifically address the public's largest concerns with growing open-source solutions.
  • Cisco Ups CEO Drama With Exec Promotions (0)October 4, 2012The volume on speculation about a replacement for long-time Cisco CEO John Chambers inched up a bit late Thursday with the promotion of two key executives assumed to be on the short list of contenders for the corner office.
  • Polycom Eyes Future With Royalty-Free H.264 (0)October 4, 2012Polycom sets the stage for more ubiquitous video conferencing, thanks to their new open-standards royalty-free version of the H.264 scalable video codec. Polycom's latest partnerships and future ambitions frame an interesting picture for the future of video conferencing and Polycom's partners, alike.
  • Cloud IT Buyers Seek Out New Partners (2)October 4, 2012Corporate IT decision makers in the United States are increasingly attracted to business-grade cloud computing for services such as customer relationship management and enterprise relationship management and are willing to engage service providers they haven’t worked with in the past in order to get them, a new study finds.
  • Trend Micro Refreshes Cloud Security Services (1)October 4, 2012Trend Micro gave its Worry Free security services a bit of a refresh by updating support for Mac OS X and Android platforms, as well as the anticipated Windows 8. The update comes as a necessary move for the security firm to maintain its edge in the cloud security space, as mobility and cloud platforms…
  • Behind Whitman’s Sober Assessment of HP (1)October 4, 2012Meg Whitman gave analysts and partners what they wanted yesterday; a cold, sober and hard assessment of the state of Hewlett-Packard today and its long-term challenges. The backhanded rewards were a plunging stock value and skepticism of the company’s future. Here’s why critics are only half right.
  • Citrix NetScaler Gets Websense DLP (0)October 4, 2012Citrix teams up with Websense to bring the Websense Data Security Gateway to the NetScaler SDX platform, bringing advanced security capabilities like DLP to the application acceleration platform. Citrix's moves are indicative of a company gearing up for a world of connected services.
  • Riverbed Steelhead EX Equips VMware vSphere (0)October 3, 2012Riverbed integrates VMware's vSphere platform into its Steelhead EX appliance, delivering a centrally manageable platform that can help deliver streamline virtualization and networking services, reliably connecting branch offices and consolidating edge data centers.
  • Cisco Unified Access: One Policy to Rule All (0)October 3, 2012Cisco's new Unified Access Solution technology consolidates policy, security and infrastructure management into a singular platform, allowing wired, wireless and virtualized networks to all be managed as one, under one management console. Consolidation is a budding IT trend, which should help service providers focus more on the service-side of infrastructure management.
  • SafeNet Launches Cloud Authentication Service (2)October 3, 2012Data protection firm SafeNet launched a new cloud authentication service, which gives partners and MSPs a means to differentiate by adding a new twist onto a well-established offering. If anything, the new cloud service launch indicates that going forward, innovation and growth in IAM markets will likely be accelerated by the cloud.
  • Box Brings Boosted Security and Management (1)October 3, 2012Box continues to push deep into the enterprise storage space, this time with a new set of authentication and security tools designed to help eliminate accidental sharing of sensitive data, while giving IT admins deep visibility into data usage.
  • AppNeta PathView Complements Cloud Portfolios (0)October 2, 2012AppNeta launches a new global MSP partner program, designed to be a management complement to existing managed services. MSPs looking for a boost in their portfolio or a more straightforward way to build support services might find AppNeta's solution ideal.
  • Oracle Cloud: Hard Choices For The Channel (0)October 2, 2012Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and president Mark Hurd kick off Oracle OpenWorld 2012, giving an intensive overview of Oracle's vision of the cloud. But Oracle's direction may not be the best direction for cloud-savvy channel partners -- unless Oracle is exactly what the customer is looking for.
  • HP ElitePad 900: Business-Ready With Win 8 (0)October 1, 2012HP readies the ElitePad 900, a business-class tablet designed to run Windows 8, with an eye on business needs, security and expandability. But can HP's tablet find any traction as users become wary about Windows 8 and HP's reputation?
  • Netgear Dev Program Brings Appliance Apps (0)October 1, 2012Netgear introduces a developer program designed to help ISVs build Java-based applications for Netgear's consumer and small-business gateways, routers, switches and NAS appliances. Apps help deliver services on these devices, which means Netgear resellers can deliver considerable value-add inside a networking package.
  • New DishNET Broadband a Boon to the Cloud (0)October 1, 2012New satellite broadband Internet offering is good news for cloud service providers who continue to develop and innovate products and are counting on a growing number of users to be able to access them.
  • Oracle Readies Cloud for Partner Participation (0)October 1, 2012Oracle OpenWorld 2012 kicks off with a focus on delivering Oracle Cloud to its partners with a new partner program and specializations built around Oracle Cloud technology.
  • Qualys IPO Flat, but Could Open Channel Doors (1)September 28, 2012Qualys made a public debut Friday with a relatively unspectacular IPO, posing a sharp contrast to recent security IPOs of Palo Alto Networks and Proofpoint. That said, the infusion of cash could potentially serve to breathe new life into the Qualys channel as it strives to meet growth metrics to satisfy investors.
  • CA Inks Nastel Technologies AutoPilot Deal (0)September 28, 2012CA Technologies inks a distribution agreement with Nastel Technologies, making Nastel's AutoPilot middleware automation platform available to CA. This agreement could highlight a bigger trend: the growth of management technology.
  • Zenith Infotech Debt Crisis: One Year Later (0)September 28, 2012A year has passed since Zenith Infotech defaulted on nearly $85 million in bonds. The dispute between the cloud provider and its creditors remains unresolved. Despite an ongoing legal battle, there continues to be a lot of movement around Zenith Infotech as managed service providers and associates try to chart their own futures.
  • IDC: Mobile Enterprise Management Coming (1)September 28, 2012IDC predicts the merger of MDM and MAM into a unified mobile enterprise management platform. With this consolidation on the horizon, it's possible more pportunity exists in the enterprise mobility space than initially perceived.
  • Red Hat Pushes for Cloud Storage Maturation (0)September 27, 2012Red Hat pushes for the maturation of cloud storage with Red Hat Storage, while introducing guidelines for enterprise-ready cloud storage to ease the migration to public and hybrid cloud services.
  • Perimeter E-Security Makes Cloud MDM Push (0)September 27, 2012Perimeter E-Security has placed itself in a small but growing niche of vendors that have launched a cloud MDM solution. It's a move that could give partners a natural leg up over competitors in the space with an ability to offer increased visibility, rapid deployment and lowered costs among the many perks.
  • Dell Readies Advanced SonicWALL Certification (0)September 27, 2012Dell launches the new Certified SonicWall Security Professional certification as it seeks to educate IT admins, partners and service professionals on SonicWALL technology. Dell's focus on education is an ideal in preparing professions for a security and cloud-centric future.
  • EMC’s Secure Cloud Tiering Aims for Big Data (0)September 27, 2012EMC Corp. released the latest version of its Cloud Tiering Appliance, which touts a few security enhancements that could open up the cloud as a viable archiving repository and give partners a leg up on competition when addressing Big Data woes.
  • F5 Networks: Virtual Networking Hits Server 2012 (0)September 27, 2012F5 Networks is launching the F5 Network Virtualization Solution for Microsoft Windows Server 2012 with Hyper-V. This network virtualization platform should make both cloud migration and intra-cloud connectivity more streamlined and automated. Inundated MSPs may want to take a look.
  • New ProLiant Servers Build Budding Clouds (0)September 27, 2012HP launches two new four-socket servers, the HP ProLiant BL660c and DL560, designed as hardened server platforms for building out hybrid cloud deployments and helping organizations migrate to the cloud. Solution providers serving organizations with a private/hybird approach may find HP's baked-in automation well suited for a busy data center.
  • IBM Global MSP Initiative Targets Midmarket (0)September 26, 2012IBM's new global initiative ramps up enablement for MSPs in the training and marketing of cloud services. This positions IBM to better capitalize on the opportunity available in the SMB midmarket while driving IBM and its partners deeper into an evolving cloud ecosystem.
  • Cisco Expands Cloud Channel Program (0)September 26, 2012Cisco Systems is expanding on its cloud computing channel program by enhancing its Cloud Builder Specialization and launching its Cloud Partner Marketplace. The intent: to make it easier for solution providers to market to Cisco and end customers.
  • ScaleXtreme Enables Custom Cloud (0)September 26, 2012ScaleXtreme's customizable cloud portal makes it easier for MSPs and IT admins to provision and manage existing cloud infrastructure. With rapid cloud growth on the horizon, best practices for utilizing the cloud can manage complex cloud deployments while driving up productivity.
  • Aruba Instant Enterprise Streamlines WLAN (0)September 25, 2012The Aruba Instant Enterprise brings a range of automated features to wireless LAN infrastructure, streamlining the processes of management, control and optimization of an entire network infrastructure. MSPs and VARs that specialize in mobility may want to take a closer look.
  • Dell KACE K1000 Gets Compliance Update (0)September 25, 2012Dell expands the capabilities of its flagship Dell KACE K1000 management appliance, bringing Windows 8 and OS X Mountain Lion support alongside critical auditing and compliance detection capabilities for non-traditional Linux environments and BYOD scenarios.
  • AppDynamics Gives MSPs App Performance (0)September 25, 2012AppDynamics introduces a new MSP partner program, designed to help burgeoning MSPs leverage its application management-as-a-service to supercharge cloud apps and meet demanding uptime requests and SLAs.
  • Skype-Lync Integration Headed for Windows 8 (0)September 24, 2012Microsoft expands its UC prowess by enhancing the existing Lync platform, custom-tailoring it for the Windows 8 tablet experience and providing direct connectivity to the Skype platform, allowing a platform-agnostic communication solution geared for both the desktop and the mobile workplace. Partners keen on advancing UC and mobility may want to keep an eye on…
  • Sanbolic Brings SQL-to-Cloud Migration (0)September 24, 2012Cloud solution providers looking for a leg up in moving business apps into the cloud can now tap into Sanbolic's Melio AppCluster platform via the Amazon Web Services marketplace, streamlining the process of bringing on-premise business application up into the private cloud, for a hybrid-style solution.
  • Oracle Dragged by Sagging Server Demand (0)September 24, 2012Oracle missed revenue targets for its most recent quarter, mostly due to declining sales of its high-end SPARC servers. The server slump reflects one of the fundamental challenges facing vendors and solution providers in the cloud era: the decreasing demand for hardware.
  • Cloud Innovation Is Double-Edged Sword (0)September 24, 2012There's no doubt the cloud, cloud services and cloud applications are expanding, but are they expanding too quickly? Innovation can be good and bad, bringing diversity and complexity to the channel. This may help solution providers with specialization, but it could inundate partners and customers with a storm of uncertainty, something remediated only by education.
  • SMB 500: Examining the Top 20 VARs (0)September 23, 2012Distributor Ingram Micro and The 2112 Group’s effort to study SMB channel success reveals secrets of excellence among top-performing U.S. solution providers. Here’s a closer look at the top 20 VARs in Ingram’s customer network.
  • Gartner Predicts $109 Billion Cloud Market (3)September 21, 2012Gartner predicts the cloud services marketplace will grow nearly 20 percent by the end of 2012, making it a $109 billion worldwide industry. But where's the real opportunity? Solution providers may be surprised to find out what services are leading the cloud world.
  • Intronis CEO Plunkett Out, Interim Takes Charge (0)September 21, 2012Boston-based Intronis Inc. said Thursday its CEO is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities. Taking his place in the interim is vice president of engineering and development Jay Bolgatz.
  • GFI Acquires VizualMobile for MDM Prowess (0)September 21, 2012GFI Software acquires UK-based VizualMobile to add its MDM capabilities to the GFI Software portfolio. With SMBs frequent adopters of new mobility and cloud-based technologies, GFI's acquisition brings a wider breadth of solutions to its base of partners and MSPs.
  • Cisco Shrinks Latency With Nexus Algo Boost (0)September 20, 2012Cisco launches the Nexus 3548 switch, purpose-built to decrease latencies into nanoseconds, delivering high performance for the most pressing cloud environments and data centers that connect with financial institutions for real-time trading.
  • CipherCloud Launches Encryption Program (0)September 20, 2012Cloud encryption firm CipherCloud is establishing its place in the market with the launch of a specialized partner program. Among other things, the new cloud spin on encryption could open a few more markets, representing a bit of a revival in the the well-established niche.
  • Intermedia Cloud Server Delivers Custom Cloud (0)September 20, 2012Intermedia launches Cloud Server, a new platform leveraged by Intermedia and its partners to serve the SMB community with enterprise-grade solutions while providing a high level of reliability, customizability and customer support. Is this the cloud of the future?
  • EDS Woes Are the Latest HP Distraction (0)September 20, 2012Hewlett-Packard says it’s not and hasn’t tried to sell the EDS professional services unit, which is reportedly the source of much of the struggling vendor’s fiscal problems. EDS is fast becoming the immediate distraction to a company trying to make a turnaround.
  • SAP Delivers Custom Mobility App Design Center (0)September 19, 2012SAP, which has been busy sprucing up its wares and partner programs, is now laser-focused on an emerging target demographic: the mobile end-user. Will custom mobile apps as-a-service be the way of the future?
  • ZixCorp Aims for Growth With Channel Tweaks (0)September 19, 2012E-mail encryption firm ZixCorp is priming its channel for growth with a myriad of marketing enhancements and enablement tools. But what the program tweaks really indicate is an anticipated growth of the email encryption market, thanks to a groundswell of data breaches and regulatory compliance laws.
  • Salesforce Makes Chatterbox File Sharing Official (0)September 19, 2012Salesforce.com officially launches Chatterbox, the Dropbox of the enterprise, alongside a bevy of social-centric business collaboration tools for the Salesforce enterprise. Salesforce.com's push into a socialized future is likely the next trend to logically follow the mobile-frist moves, so solution providers should take note when building cloud partnerships and portfolios.
  • PSA Market Getting Hot and Crowded (0)September 19, 2012Professional services automation is evolving fast. Level Platforms is integrating with Salesforce.com. Autotask, ConnectWise and TigerPaw are rapidly expanding their operations. Promys is entering the market with a premium offering. And there are rumors of a new entry that could disrupt the entire market from below.
  • Cisco, Pentaho Ease the Big Data Rough Stuff (0)September 19, 2012The pair combines Pentaho’s open-source Big Data Analytics software tools served up on Cisco’s upstart and increasingly popular Unified Computing Systems servers and bundled with associated networking and storage services.
  • Value, Sketched on the Back of a Napkin (0)September 19, 2012At a conference littered with tchotchkes and conventional marketing brochures, telephony hosting firm Simple Signal stands out from the crowd by distributing napkins with diagram sketches of its services. The unique marketing collateral is effective because it’s memorable and shows the value of deviating from the norm in conveying value.
  • Westcon Group Readies Lync, HP Security Suite (0)September 19, 2012The Westcon Group adds Microsoft Lync and HP's Tipping Point and Fortify technologies to its solution provider offerings, enabling partners to capture the burgeoning market of unified communications and enterprise security.
  • Stoneware Acquisition Bolsters Lenovo Cloud (0)September 18, 2012Lenovo is in growth mode as it acquires Stoneware, a cloud solution provider that specializes in application and information ubiquity for the governmental and educational vertical. With Stoneware part of Lenovo's cloud portfolio, Lenovo will expand Stoneware's global cloud presence while leveraging its assets to build new cloud solutions.
  • VMTurbo Boosts Cloud Infrastructure Automation (0)September 18, 2012VMTurbo refines it cloud automation tools with VMTurbo Operations Manager 3.2. MSPs and budding solution providers managing increasingly heterogenous and disparate virtualized cloud environments may find the platform an ideal solution to meet customer demands and maintain SLAs.
  • Zetta.net Delivers Unified BDR MSP Program (0)September 18, 2012Zetta.net, which specializes in backup and disaster recovery options for SME, is now offering a new managed services platform set to deliver the same SME platform at a flat monthly rate based solely on storage capacity needs. Budding MSPs or MSPs with many small customers may want to leverage Zetta.net's offerings to amplify their storage…
  • Citrix Receiver for Windows 8 RT Arrives (0)September 17, 2012Citrix readies a Windows 8 RT / ARM version of its Citrix Receiver app as it paves the way for a business-centric tablet and virtualization future. Solution providers looking to leverage next-generation services may want to keep an eye on Citrix.
  • Microsoft Changes Forefront Roadmap (0)September 17, 2012Microsoft is giving the boot to a myriad of its well-respected Forefront security products, a move which could drive the channel to migrate customers to dedicated security rivals but also underscores the software company's increased focus on cloud, Office 365 and Windows 8.
  • Box Accelerator Brings 10X Speed Boost (1)September 17, 2012Box launches Box Accelerator, a new global network of servers that have been designed to improve upload speeds by up to 10 times. With cloud storage quickly evolving, faster upload speeds could be the added value that makes or breaks a sale. Can channel partners glean some strategy from this new technology?
  • Gartner Defines What Private Cloud Isn’t (0)September 14, 2012Gartner outlines 5 key points about the private cloud to differentiate between what the private cloud is and is not. Gartner hopes it will help all players in the IT landscape better "identify real value" across the fast-growing world of cloud computing solutions.
  • Whitman Calls HP Mobility Mulligan (2)September 14, 2012Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman says HP is continuing to work on a smartphone to capitalize on the growing momentum of mobility and mobile computing. After failure of Palm and webOS, can HP truly capitalize on mobility the second time around?
  • HDS Buy Shows Health Care IT Not Easy (0)September 14, 2012Athenahealth’s acquisition of Health Data Systems is a good example of the kinds of combined skills increasingly required from partners looking to crack the lucrative health care IT vertical.
  • VMware Floats in vCloud Suite 5.1 (0)September 14, 2012VMware officially launches vCloud Suite 5.1, complete with the removal of vRAM licensing fees. VMware's cloud automation and scalability focus with vCloud 5.1 shows VMWare is gearing up for a cloud-based world that may parlay into mobility.
  • Cisco Security Lineup Is Cloud-Ready (1)September 13, 2012Cisco continues its hardware-centric focus for the cloud world by providing a new security appliances, intrusion prevention systems and revamped security management software.
  • Comcast SMB Package Squeezing Out Channel (0)September 13, 2012Comcast launches a competitive IT support SMB offering across its regional footprints, competing directly with smaller MSPs and solution providers serving the same market community. The channel can fight back through specialization, customization and true customer service.
  • The Cloud E-mail Tipping Point Is Near (0)September 13, 2012Hosted Exchange partner Intermedia says it’s the first Microsoft cloud application syndication partner in the world to reach the 500,000 mailbox milestone. Intermedia’s growth isn’t exclusive, as other Microsoft partners report strong growth in e-mail and other hosted services. Is the tipping point near when all e-mail is in the cloud?
  • iPhone 5 Solidifies Mobile-First Future (0)September 13, 2012The iPhone 5's improvements continue to show the sophistication of mobile devices, setting the stage for a future where mobility and mobile computing are standardized platforms for everyday use.
  • Amazon’s Instance Marketplace Resells Cloud (0)September 12, 2012Amazon launches the Amazon Reserved Instance Marketplace, giving Amazon Web Services customers the ability to buy and sell Amazon EC2 instances at hourly rates with no long-term commitments. MSPs can leverage this marketplace to better build out their own services, or better serve existing customers.
  • Salesforce ‘Chatterbox’ is Enterprise File Sharing (0)September 12, 2012Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff pre-announces 'Chatterbox,' an enterprise-ready file sharing solution designed to take on rivals like Box, among other cloud storage rivals. Will Salesforce.com create a splash in enterprise cloud storage, and more importantly, can the channel capitalize?
  • Cisco’s Big Moves to Secure Data Center (0)September 12, 2012Cisco has unveiled a new data-center grade intrusion prevention system along with several security enhancements to existing wares all aimed at strengthening the defenses of high-capacity consolidated and virtualized computing environments.
  • Trustwave Builds New Partner Program (0)September 12, 2012Cloud security company Trustwave melds its resources the acquisition of M86 Security to build a new partner program and offer a refreshed portfolio with robust cloud-ready security solutions. Trustwave has updated its managed services offering, gearing up for the service-oriented future of the channel.
  • Podcast: GTDC’s Curran on State of Distribution (0)September 11, 2012GTDC's Tim Curran sits down with Channelnomics to discuss IT distribution hot topics on the eve of the organization's annual vendor summit.
  • Dell Delivers ERP With Ramco Systems Alliance (0)September 11, 2012Dell has teamed up with Ramco Systems, an ERP-company in India, to proliferate Ramco System's corporate cloud computing platform while Dell seeks to bolster its SaaS portfolio and strengthen its cloud strategy.
  • Citrix Eyes App-Centric Cloud With CumuLogic (0)September 11, 2012Citrix's investment into CumuLogic reveals the virtualization company is actively developing an app-centric focus to help fuel the growth of platform agnostic SaaS and tablet computing. Partners focusing on the future may find Citrix is heavy on the pulse of tomorrow.
  • Splunk Eases PCI Duties for MSPs (0)September 11, 2012Splunk is going after retailers and the MSPs who serve them with a new PCI app for businesses that want to accept credit cards, but don’t want the hassle of a full-blown SIEM tool.
  • Few Worries as HP Layoff Tally Climbs to 29,000 (0)September 11, 2012Hewlett-Packard amended its restructuring plans, with the total number of employees scheduled to lose their jobs climbing to 29,000 over the next two years. Here’s why solution providers shouldn’t fret over the bad news.
  • Cisco Outlines Wireless Infrastructure Challenges (0)September 11, 2012Cisco outlines four steps to building a robust wireless infrastructure for BYOD and MDM, identifying common hurdles that can hamper a successful wireless network. These pain points, however, are exactly where the channel can uncover true opportunity in the WLAN space.
  • Sophos Pushes MDM to the Cloud (0)September 10, 2012Sophos is taking its MDM solutions to the cloud with a hosted version of Sophos Mobile Control. The move is ideal for partners looking to quickly capitalize on MDM services, especially for limited infrastructure and budget-strapped organizations – but providers will still need value-add to be profitable.
  • Riverbed Readies Whitewater for Cloud Storage (0)September 10, 2012Riverbed launches the Whitewater 3010 cloud storage appliance, designed to make the management of cloud storage services a more streamlined and secure process. With cloud storage costs dropping as it slowly matures, Riverbed's efforts could be well suited for MSPs with demanding SLAs.
  • Microsoft Looks to Convert Lotus Users to Office (2)September 10, 2012Microsoft has licensed a migration tool from Binary Tree to make it easier for IBM Lotus customers to leap into cloud-based Office 365. The effort shows that Microsoft recognizes Office 365 as a growth catalyst and is looking for market share wherever it can find it.
  • Capitalizing as Cloud Storage Climbs (0)September 10, 2012Cloud storage continues its ascent despite being a nascent market with a sea of small players. A new report suggests that, despite the rise in cloud storage services, there’s little revenue to be generated from pure-play cloud storage solutions. What should channel partners look for in building powerful storage options with room for value-add?
  • HP Taps Ex-Microsoft Exec to Head Autonomy (1)September 8, 2012The vendor took a major step toward calming partner and customer angst over the direction of its Autonomy software unit by naming a former Microsoft exec to head the information management software business.
  • Tech Data Forms TDCloud Business Unit (0)September 7, 2012Tech Data renews the TDCloud program by creating the TDCloud business unit to improve partner perks and the StreamOne platform while broadening the support and capabilities of the partner program.
  • Google’s Chromebook-as-a-Service Hints at Future (0)September 6, 2012Google launches a new Chromebook rental program, effectively rolling out Chromebook-as-a-Service with no contract obligations, starting at $30 per Chromebook per month. The channel could tangentially capitalize on this platform, but Google's moves unveil a bigger change coming to the IT industry.
  • Schneider Electric Powers Energy Management (0)September 6, 2012Schneider Electric launches a specialized partner program that provides the tools and resources to track and monitor energy usage in a data center. Combined with best practices and unique software to detect wasteful use of electricity, any data center can become a new opportunity for channel partners.
  • Axway Secures Collaboration in E-mail Gateway (0)September 6, 2012Axway has launched a new e-mail security gateway that leverages security risks around cloud collaboration services by encrypting and securing cloud file-sharing. That's good news for partners: It plays up an ROI that prevents hefty fines and the loss of customer brand associated with the strong likelihood of a data breach.
  • IDC Says Verticals Boosting WLAN Demand (0)September 6, 2012IDC research suggests the wireless LAN marketplace is growing exponentially, with major verticals buying wireless infrastructure for BYOD implementations. Channel partners have an opportunity to capitalize and carve out mobility infrastructure niches to support the education, government and health care verticals.
  • Polycom and IBM Refine Video-as-a-Service (0)September 5, 2012Polycom and IBM team up to develop VaaS technology for Polycom's RealPresence platform. The duo hopes to build out a new standard in interoperable video conferencing, allowing disparate devices to easily connect while giving solution providers an on-ramp to deliver video conferencing technology in cloud packages.
  • Citrix Gets BYOD Ready With Podio on iPad (0)September 5, 2012Citrix revamps the Podio for iPad, bringing native social collaboration, custom apps and productivity tools to the iPad. Will Citrix's tablet ambitions spark the first of many mobile-first approaches to BYOD and tablet-based productivity?
  • Bitdefender Launches Virtualized Security Service (2)September 5, 2012Bitdefender launches a new cloud-based security service for virtualized environments, giving partners more ways to address security concerns while providing services that ease the way to virtualization for customers.
  • ‘On-Premise’ IT Isn’t What You Think (0)September 5, 2012Pick through any IT or mainstream media reports – including those on Channelnomics – and you’ll find copious references to “on-premise” verses cloud infrastructure. We know what it’s supposed to mean, but you’ll be surprised to find that its meaning is actually wrong.
  • AlgoSec Delivers Firewall Channel Opportunity (0)September 5, 2012AlgoSec Security Management Suite 6.3 arrives with application and appliance controls for the data center. Amid a relatively young market, AlgoSec sees new channel opportunities for MSPs and VARS in the management, consultation, consolidation and centralization of security technology.
  • Windows Server 2012: A Cloud OS (0)September 4, 2012Microsoft launches Windows Server 2012 with deep linkage to Windows Azure, creating a "Cloud OS" built uniquely for private clouds and connectivity to new cloud services. But how will the new "Cloud OS" affect the IT channel landscape?
  • Quest, Bocada Take vpConnect to NetVault (0)September 4, 2012Quest Software Inc. teams up with Bocada, bringing Bocada's vpConnect to the NetVault backup platform, improving visibility into physical and virtual backup environments. MSPs and VARs can leverage the technology to better meet SLAs and manage NOCs, but the real winner may be Dell.
  • Splunk Bringing Big Data to the Masses (0)September 4, 2012The vendor is one of the few pure-play players in the Big Data space and has found significant success of late with its hyper-focus on tools to corral and analyze streams of machine data from servers, networks, Web transactions, mobile devices and the like.
  • Sophos Appoints New CEO Hagerman (3)September 4, 2012Sophos has appointed Kris Hagerman as its new CEO, replacing Steve Munford, who has officially resigned. While potentially destabilizing for partners, the leadership change may lead to greater efforts around marketing and branding, which will be key to gaining market share as the company's marches forward in the mobility, cloud encryption and network security arenas.
  • Dell Paves Way for Lenovo Evolution (0)September 4, 2012Lenovo isn’t just on the verge of becoming the world’s largest PC maker, it’s also eyeing a rapid expansion into other enterprise and consumer technologies, mostly through an acquisition strategy. The future of its channel may rest with lessons gained from rival Dell.
  • SaaS and Hybrid Security Demands Rising (1)September 4, 2012Research company Infonetics has uncovered key findings across the network security landscape, revealing that SaaS and integrated security solutions are fast out-pacing hardware appliances while the enterprise continues to adopt hybrid solutions.
  • Can Managed Print Save the Printer Market? (6)September 4, 2012Lexmark is waving a paper white flag and surrendering its once market-leading inkjet printer business, saying it’s pivoting to focus more on managed print services. Lexmark isn’t alone as interest continues to increase in the print services segment and revenue climbs into the billions.
  • EMC Main Investor In Zscaler $38M Windfall (0)September 4, 2012EMC is reportedly the lead investor in Zscaler's $38 million windfall, a move that promises cloud security alliances for the storage firm as it continues to blaze trails in new technology markets.
  • Mobility Isn’t Mobile Without Infrastructure (1)August 31, 2012A recent survey suggests that -- although hardware sales are in decline -- wireless LAN technology is not. With enterprise demand for wireless infrastructure rising 26 percent year-over-year, can the channel continue to capitalize by specializing hardware sales with BYOD/MDM packages?
  • The HP Metltdown: One Year Later (1)August 31, 2012It’s been one year since the wheels appeared to be coming off one of the great American technology companies. Here is a look back at the events of one year ago, a vital timeline in understanding the HP of today.
  • No Surprise: Server Sales Slowing (1)August 31, 2012IBM and Hewlett-Packard are virtually tied for market leadership in server sales and shipments, and Dell isn’t too far behind. But the real story is that overall server sales are slowing, as hosted infrastructure continues to steal share away from conventional on-premise deployments.
  • Dell Channel Chief: PC Slump is No Distraction (0)August 31, 2012Dell global channel chief Greg Davis tells Channelnomics that despite his company’s continued slide in PC market share, the emerging technologies segments – many brought in through recent acquisitions – are growing rapidly thanks to partner support.
  • Oracle Pushes PaaS Standard for Management (1)August 31, 2012Oracle is part of a growing list of vendors looking to support a new PaaS API standard that should allow for interoperable cloud and cloud app management. But if big-name vendors are looking to standardize the cloud, what can solution providers learn in adopting their own cloud strategy?
  • Softer Cisco Offers Software-Only UC Licensing (0)August 30, 2012Cisco is removing the hardware-attached restriction to its UC licenses, allowing any software endpoint to be attached to the license. This opens the doors for wider, less expensive UC deployments that complement the flexibility inherent in the cloud era.
  • Study: Data Security Biggest Cloud Inhibitor (0)August 30, 2012With an acceleration in cloud adoption comes an anticipated rise in fears and issues around the security of that data stored in the cloud. Enterprises wish providers took more of a hands on approach to security--but that's where the channel can pick up some of the slack.
  • ADTRAN Gives MSPs Wireless Cloud Advantage (0)August 30, 2012ADTRAN seeks to make MSPs's lives easier with Bluesocket virtual wireless LAN access points. Without the need for an on-premise gateway, Bluesocket technology links a NOC to a company network, giving MSPs the power of on-demand provisioning and a simple way to migrate customers into cloud services.
  • VDI Growth Directly Linked to BYOD (0)August 30, 2012VMware, Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Citrix are placing big bets on the continued growth in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). The driver of this classic enterprise solution is none other than the leading consumerization trend, BYOD.
  • Cloud Providers Need Long-Term Plan (0)August 30, 2012As the cloud market matures, the number of cloud players will start to shrink, so much so that by 2015, IDC predicts almost 30 percent of cloud market suppliers will be out of business. But can the channel uncover strategies from IDC's cautionary advice to cloud customers?
  • RSA Offers Guide for Virtual PCI Compliance (0)August 29, 2012RSA, the security division of EMC, is giving organizations one less objection to cloud migration by publishing a guide that spells out PCI compliance for organizations considering virtual infrastructure.
  • Riverbed Optimizes Virtual Experience (1)August 29, 2012Riverbed is emerging with a three-fold launch that aims to optimize performance of everything from software defined networks to cloud based applications for users. That bodes well for partners bulking up troubleshooting service practices to help organizations address unforeseen challenges with the adoption of virtual infrastructure.
  • Dell, VMware Ready VDI For Channel Delivery (1)August 29, 2012Dell continues its virtualization push with vStart for VDI, a set of pre-packaged and interoperable virtualization solutions built around VMware View, exclusively aimed at the SMB market. Even in the cloud world, virtualization is on the rise and Dell wants its channel partners to deliver it.
  • If Big Data Is So Great, Why Aren’t We Using It? (0)August 29, 2012Few solution providers, particularly those hoping to capitalize on the Big Data trend, have their own initiatives in place. Perhaps it’s time to start. Here's how.
  • Mountford Out, Changes Continue at Cisco (1)August 29, 2012Paul Mountford, Cisco's senior vice president for global enterprise, has left the company – marking yet another departure from Cisco's leadership team. With layoffs ahead and stalling sales, Cisco's execs may simply be jumping ship.
  • Trend Micro Launches New Cloud Program (0)August 29, 2012Trend Micro is aiming to keep its competitive edge in the cloud security space with the launch of a new service provider program and the latest version of its cloud and virtualization security solution. The Tokyo-based security company is working harder these days as other players nip at its heels.
  • Lenovo Pops Low-end Rack Servers for SMBs (0)August 28, 2012The vendor, more often associated with tablets and consumer-grade laptops, is expanding its lineup of hearty little rack servers aimed squarely at SMB workloads. That's good news for partners coveting Lenovo's big, new incentives for SMB sales.
  • Tier 3 Readies Revamped Cloud Management (0)August 28, 2012Tier 3 launches enhancements to its cloud management platform, making it easier to automate and control server clusters with large populations of virtual machines. Combined with its existing solution set, Tier 3 makes itself attractive to growing MSPs and large enterprises alike, even amid cloud giants like Amazon and Rackspace.
  • Rackspace Nails Mailgun To Services Cloud (0)August 28, 2012Rackspace picks up programable e-mail company Mailgun, bringing new developer APIs to its cloud portfolio. With e-mail management, metrics and analytics under its belt, Rackspace is positioned to continually expand its cloud offerings.
  • Four Ways To Manage a Mobile Workforce (0)August 28, 2012Mobility in the workplace isn't a singular issue with a singular solution. Understanding different mobility technologies should help partners and customers choose an ideal solution for the workplace – whether it's a light-handed touch with BYOD, or fully-implemented solution with integrated VDI.
  • IBM’s HR Venture Portents Back Office Future (0)August 28, 2012IBM is the latest vendor to either buy or develop new back office software applications through its $1.3 billion acquisition of human resources software specialist Kenexa. The deal is among the many omens of the software future, in which back office automation and outcome-based IT sales will transform the market and channel.
  • Intel, VMware Create CPU-Based Cloud Security (1)August 28, 2012Intel and VMware partner up to provide on-chip security via vSphere 5.1 running on Xeon processors baked with Intel Trusted Execution Technology. Together, this hardware and software relationship should help build super-secure cloud servers that eliminate the apprehension about multi-tenant cloud environments.
  • Sprint Continues SaaS Push With BYOD (0)August 27, 2012Sprint expands its SaaS offerings with a new turnkey BYOD Management suite. While Sprint looks to conglomerate its mobile resources to attack the business world, the channel still has a very real opportunity to do the same.
  • The Changing Face of Vendors and Frienemies (1)August 27, 2012Cisco, VMware and EMC are rapidly reshaping their technologies and value propositions to become more competitive, which is turning these three collaborators into rivals. They not the only set of allies turned frienemy. The technology industry is replete with examples of changing allegiances that ultimately affect reseller channels.
  • Unisys Woos Channel With New Cloud Tools (0)August 27, 2012Unisys Corp. today updated its Secure Private Cloud Solution and made the offering available to channel partners as part of an effort to gain traction in vertical markets.
  • Zenith Infotech Hit With Another Lawsuit (0)August 27, 2012Details are emerging that embattled cloud computing provider Zenith Infotech is facing another legal challenge, this time brought by a supplier of technology used in the company’s popular backup storage systems.
  • MDM Market Still Maturing Amid AT&T SMB Push (0)August 27, 2012AT&T makes a bid for the mobile device management market with a new SMB-focused MDM solution. These moves indicate major vendors are seeking to define and capitalize on the space, but will the real maturation of MDM come from the channel?
  • Channelnomics Weekend Top 5 +1 (0)August 25, 2012A look back at our top five stories for the week gone by, plus one thing we're gearing up for your Monday morning.
  • Rackspace Cloud Monitoring On-Ramp To Future (0)August 24, 2012Rackspace launches the Rackspace Cloud Monitoring platform, uniquely designed to rope in all cloud services from any vendor in any location and provide a singular console to manage and provision. Is Rackspace's management technology a precursor for the coming wave of zero-infrastructure cloud solution providers?
  • Virtualization, Mobility Represent Opportunity (0)August 24, 2012A new Information Week survey reveals that, while businesses are eagerly adopting virtualization and mobility strategies, there's still uncertainty and complexity in the implementation. Could the channel find new opportunities in refining existing IT infrastructure?
  • VMworld 2012: Proving Ground For The VCE (0)August 23, 2012The VCE will focus on its converged infrastructure agenda at VMworld, but can the VCE convince everyone that hardware and software together still represent a relevant process in the cloud world?
  • Focusing on Cloud Only Is a Bad Plan (1)August 23, 2012Systems integrators are rapidly looking to the cloud for new sales and revenue opportunities as the market shifts away from conventional hardware infrastructure. But many are making a costly mistake by focusing too much of their sales efforts on a singular cloud capability or professional service rather than a portfolio of managed IT services.
  • Dell’s New Cloud Offers Private Infrastructure (0)August 23, 2012Dell launches Dell Cloud Dedicated, a private-cloud IaaS platform that can be easily provisioned and deployed from a Web portal. Dell PartnerDirect partners will also have access to leverage Dell's cloud and build out their own service offerings.
  • Road to Cloud Office Apps Goes through SLED (0)August 23, 2012Microsoft is crowing about its latest big Office 365 win after Santa Clara County signed a multi-year, multimillion-dollar contract to convert to the cloud-based productivity suite. Microsoft and Google are gradually picking up more cloud users for Office and Google Apps, but the big deals are almost exclusively in the state, local and education market.
  • Mobile-First Will Reshape Reseller Priorities (0)August 23, 2012Gartner's outlook for 2015 predicts mobile application development will outpace PC application development 4 to 1. With such a shift in a relatively short amount of time, how will the channel adapt to meet the influx of mobile computing?
  • MokaFive Readies Reseller Partner Program (0)August 22, 2012MokaFive launches its reseller partner program, bringing BYOD, Mac-based desktop management and cross-platform virtual desktop infrastructure to the channel. VARs and MSPs can mix and match MokaFive's services, delivering right-sized packages for the SMB and enterprise.
  • New M&A Trend: Sell Assets, Not Businesses (1)August 22, 2012Data center operator and hosting company ViaWest is buying the Las Vegas data center assets of CoreLink to bolster its presence in the desert gambling capital. The deal raises the possibility that physical assets in strategic locations could be more valuable than solution provider businesses themselves.
  • Amazon Glacier Gives Data Big Freeze (0)August 22, 2012Amazon's new Glacier provides a cost-effective way to create long-term data archives in the cloud. Amazon seeks to replace tape-based backups by with a near-100-percent data integrity promise with free data uploads.
  • Reseller Ranks Swell, Profits Fizzle at Dell (3)August 21, 2012To live up to its transformation promises, Dell will need a cadre of evolved resellers well-versed in complex business solutions that combine enterprise-class hardware, software and services. Is the crown prince of channel conflict ready for that?
  • VMware to End vRAM Tyranny at VMworld (1)August 21, 2012VMware will drop vRAM lisecning requirements in vSphere 5.1, which is set to debut at VMware VMworld 2012. VMware's moves show a desire to adapt to the cloud world while it caters to customer and partner demands.
  • Time to Make the Cloud Less Scary (2)August 21, 2012If cloud computing were a car, it would be a Toyota Celica with a rocket engine and handlebars with no seat belts and bicycle brakes. It's time for service providers to step up with better offerings and better messaging to improve end-user comfort with the technology.
  • Sprint Brings Carefree Cloud to Office 365 (0)August 21, 2012Sprint launches "white-glove" migration services as part of its Microsoft Office 365 package. Sprint's direction underscores key trends in adding value to "as-a-service" technology.
  • Quest Software Debuts Data Governance (0)August 21, 2012Quest Software launches the Quest One Identity Manager Data Governance Edition, which takes unstructured data from locations like SharePoint and automatically regulates the approval and denial of access based on user history. Technology like this could help make cloud data security a more streamlined process.
  • HP Focuses on Virtualization Amid Earnings Drop (0)August 21, 2012HP seeks to capitalize on enterprise virtualization with a set of powerful zero clients, but HP faces an uphill battle in competition that expands beyond the virtualization market.
  • CommVault, Nimble Team in Backup Launch (0)August 20, 2012Data protection and information management firm CommVault has teamed with Nimble Storage to offer a solution that ups the ante in the backup and recovery space, a move that will allow CommVault to hold its own against an onslaught of similar competitive partnerships.
  • IndependenceIT Debuts Cloud Partner Program (0)August 20, 2012independenceIT is launching a three-level cloud-based partner program designed to streamline the process of cloud provisioning, deployment and management for VARs, MSPs and ISVs. Leveraging Veddio technology, independenceIT can now provide a complete cloud package to resell.
  • ConnectWise Morphs Into Reflexion Reseller (1)August 20, 2012ConnectWise is already a focal point in the managed services market, with many complementary vendors marketing into the IT Nation network. Now, ConnectWise is venturing into the facilitation of partner services sales with a new alignment with managed security service provider Reflexion.
  • VMware to Focus on Education at VMworld (1)August 20, 2012VMware partners will have access to discounted exams, expert-led breakout sessions and a hands-on lab at the annual show.
  • Four Things You Won’t Hear at VMworld (2)August 20, 2012Amid all the hoopla and rah-rah in San Francisco later this month, here are a few things that will remain unaddressed, but should be of interest to VMware’s partners and customers.
  • The Cloud Circa 2017: Services, Apps, Mobility (0)August 17, 2012Amazon, Google and Rackspace are but a few of the major players reshaping expectations for cloud providers and, subsequently, their partner communities over the next five years.
  • 10 Software Companies Cisco Should Fear (0)August 16, 2012Cisco Systems may be the big dog in the data center today, but sluggish sales are a source of concern as a new breed of software makers develop tools to handle network traffic more efficiently, reducing the need for old-school switches and routers. Here are some of the lesser known threats to Cisco’s hardware-centric data…
  • VMware Lets Users Test Drive The Cloud (1)August 16, 2012VMware has turned to the "free sample" model with a new service that literally allows users to test drive its VMware vCloud platform, a move that takes aim at undecided customers holding out on a cloud migration.
  • Cisco’s Big Challenge: The Software Switch (2)August 16, 2012Cisco Systems has done well for three decades as the provider of the pipes that make up the enterprise network and the broader Internet. In the modern era, it’s a pioneer in cloud infrastructure and virtualized data centers. And through it all, it’s been a hardware-based strategy – and that’s the challenge it must overcome.
  • Google Transitioning Postini Security to Apps (2)August 16, 2012Google is accelerating a year-long effort to complete the integration of Postini’s security, archiving and compliance services into the Google App’s portfolio. By the end of 2013, all Postini customers will be transitioned to Google Apps, as will their resellers.
  • CA, Logicalis Address Cloud Hurdles (0)August 15, 2012The partnership between vendor and MSP aims to deliver automated cloud management , underscoring an opportunity for partners that addresses challenges organizations face in keeping their hybrid environment under control.
  • EMC Helps Disties Pre-build VSPEX Systems (1)August 15, 2012EMC took a big step toward alleviating solution providers' some-assembly-required problem with its multi-vendor VSPEX Proven Infrastructure solution.
  • Rackspace Rolls Out Private Cloud Tool (0)August 15, 2012The hosting company makes the cloud a little more personal with new OpenStack-based software for those who want to give the cloud a spin from the safety and comfort of their own data center.
  • Perimeter Puts Office 365 E-mail Anywhere (0)August 15, 2012Perimeter launches the Archive Anywhere solution set for Office 365, bringing entire inbox archives to users from any device, even if it's not connected to the Internet. Microsoft's reinvigoration of the Office 365 platform has really set the stage for value-added cloud services.
  • Dell Wyse Spies Cloud With New Thin Client (0)August 14, 2012Dell Wyse launches new thin clients geared for the complex needs of the cloud and sophisticated virtualization deployments. These clients align Dell to offer true end-to-end desktop virtualization services. Will Dell's WIndows 8 thin client arrive at VMware VMworld?
  • Axway Launches MSP Partner Program (0)August 14, 2012Managed file transfer vendor Axway is giving its partners new means to expand their portfolio with the launch of an MSP program. The move serves as a logical, if not inevitable, next step as the company faces increasingly stiff competition in the rapidly growing MFT market.
  • Salesforce.com Takes New Social Approach (0)August 14, 2012Salesforce.com teases its latest collaboration platform, Salesforce Communities. Built to be a social media and communication hub that connects customers, enterprise and partners, Salesforce.com could reshape the paradigm of business-centric social networking.
  • CA Offers Cash for Swapping Backup Tools (2)August 14, 2012CA Technologies Inc. is turning to the channel to help turn up the heat on competitors in the torrid backup and data recovery space. Through the end of the year, the Islandia, N.Y., vendor will pay users to ditch other DR products in favor of CA’s ARCserve.
  • Will Outlook.com Security Defeat Google? (1)August 14, 2012Microsoft is touting beefed up security in its refreshed Web mail service Outlook.com. But it's not likely that security will be enough of a differentiator for Microsoft as its struggles to maintain its lead against Google, as the number of Gmail users continues to climb.
  • HP Targets Cloud, Virtualization Migration Needs (0)August 14, 2012HP launches a new fleet of cloud solutions designed to ease the migration of virtual machines, associated data and network configurations. HP's moves are indicative of a budding trend in cloud migration services.
  • Sage Spies SMB But Partners See Paltry Pay (0)August 13, 2012Sage focuses on the SMB sector by involving its partners in a direct referral program for the Sage One SaaS platform. But can Sage capitalize on the SMB market with a limited partner engagement?
  • Hot Middle East IT Market Woos Channel Players (0)August 13, 2012Ingram Micro's purchase of Dubai-based disty Aptec is just the latest in a raft of IT business moves in the oil-rich, technology hungry region.
  • Red Hat Eyes Enterprise OpenStack Maturation (0)August 13, 2012Red Hat launches an initial technology release of the OpenStack platform for enterprise businesses. The company's push to mature and develop the platform for mainstream use should help position OpenStack as a true rival to competing platforms like Amazon Web Services.
  • Speed Will Make ‘Local’ Cloud the New Normal (0)August 13, 2012Despite increased spending on outsourced IT services, there’s still trepidation about the cloud. But will gigabit Internet speeds alleviate cloud concerns as owning instant and ubiquitous access to information becomes more valuable?
  • Beware: Looming Security Crisis in the Cloud (2)August 10, 2012A new survey shows even organizations that should know better are playing fast and loose with their data in the cloud and fumbling fundamental tenets of data integrity.
  • When Will the Channel Die? (5)August 10, 2012Solution providers are fed a steady diet of “Transform or die, nay the cloud shalt kill you.” It has many wondering just how much time they have until the channel is completely disrupted by cloud computing and services. The answer: Thursday.
  • LockPath Channel Growth Bodes Well for GRC (0)August 10, 2012GRC firm LockPath is reaping the rewards of strong growth and an expanded channel. But the firm's market success may be indicative of a brighter future for GRC, thanks in part to the accelerated adoption of the cloud and an increasingly compliance-driven IT environment.
  • Office 365: The Next Cloud Catalyst (0)August 9, 2012Verizon Wireless and Dell are now offering Office 365, and the number of partners offering syndicated versions of the productivity platform is growing. While solution providers don’t necessarily see how they will capitalize on Office 365, they're seeing it as a driver for broader cloud adoption, especially in the SMB segment.
  • BYOD Challenge: Separate Personal, Biz Clouds (0)August 9, 2012As desktop and mobile operating systems become more intertwined with the cloud, solution providers have a unique opportunity to provide protection and compliance capabilities to ensure sensitive corporate data never escapes users' personal cloud spaces.
  • Verizon, Office 365 and Cloud Commoditization (0)August 8, 2012Verizon Wireless is now offering Microsoft’s Office 365 as part of its Small Business Essentials portfolio, offering the cloud suite to potentially millions of customers already serviced by the local solution providers. It’s a sign of growing competition and commoditization in the rapidly expanding cloud application market.
  • Hosted CRM Trumps On-Premise Apps (3)August 8, 2012A new survey shows SMBs are down with the cloud and ripe for migration. Are they prepared, though, to differentiate and deliver on the promise of hosted business apps?
  • Trend Micro Equips SPN With Big Data Tools (1)August 7, 2012Trend Micro is joining the ranks of Big Data launches with a slew of analytics and intelligence-based tools added to its Smart Protection Network. The move will enable partners to beef up their portfolio with a myriad of high-margin services, while allowing them to keep pace with competitors as the Big Data land grab unfolds.
  • No One Needs Go It Alone in the Cloud (0)August 7, 2012The cloud computing market is expected to double within the next three years. Because this rapid growth will undoubtedly lead to both high and rapidly evolving expectations for enterprises and other businesses seeking to leverage cloud services, solution providers will soon find themselves challenged in matching their services offerings to market demands. As such, the…
  • NCR Branches into Channel-Driven SaaS (0)August 7, 2012NCR, the company best known for bank ATMs and airport kiosks, introduces new marketing and retailing software-as-a-service offerings, which offer solution provider partners recurring revenue opportunities while opening a new class of technology to smaller businesses.
  • Dell Pushes Cloud With Partner Program Launch (0)August 7, 2012Dell is pushing increasingly harder into the cloud space with the launch of a comprehensive cloud partner program, a move that will no doubt give partners a competitive advantage when going head-to-head against hardware rivals HP and IBM.
  • CharTec Standardizes on Sophos Security (0)August 6, 2012Hardware-as-a-service provider CharTec and its sister company, master managed service provider ARRC Technology, are standardizing on Sophos security software and hardware products, giving the security vendor a much-needed boost in the managed services channel.
  • Virtualization Anxiety Spells Channel Opportunity (0)August 6, 2012Although hosted services are quickly sweeping through SMBs and the enterprise, there remains pent-up demand for virtualization. A new survey shows the channel still has many ways to capitalize on the droves of businesses looking for a path to the virtualized data center.
  • Wisdom of Woz in the Cloud (2)August 6, 2012Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak is stirring up controversy with remarks over the weekend foreseeing “big problems” in coming years with cloud computing. The soothsayer of first PC era doesn’t see a problem with the technology, but rather the ownership of intellectual property.
  • New Google Apps MDM Alludes Convergence (1)August 3, 2012Google has updated its free MDM offering with Google Apps, giving Google Apps Resellers a bit more value-add to the hosted productivity suite. Does Google's refinement of MDM under the Google Apps program signal a convergence of MDM with major technology suites?
  • Time to Raise Prices of On-Prem Solutions (0)August 3, 2012Solution providers continue to express frustration in their inability to make money in cloud computing and other services. Verizon Wireless’ channel chief Janet Schjins has an interesting idea: Start raising prices of on-premise solutions.
  • Tech Data: Intermedia Integration, New VP (0)August 3, 2012Tech Data appoints William Brooks as vice president of sales and technical services, and expands its StreamOne cloud store with hosted Exchange packages from Intermedia.
  • Sprint’s Office 365 Offering Could Feature UC (0)August 2, 2012Sprint joins Dell in offering Microsoft's new Office 365. With Sprint potentially mixing unified communications with its delivery, solution providers everywhere should gear up for a hotbed of Office 365 competition.
  • Amazon’s Provisioned IOPS Supercharges Cloud (0)August 1, 2012Amazon Web Services introduces Amazon Elastic Block Store Provisioned IOPS, a new way for users to build efficient database back-ends to supercharge cloud applications.
  • Cloud Storage Still Needs Maturation (1)August 1, 2012Box.net finds another round of funding to focus on the enterprise, while Dropbox cleans up after another security breach. The world is poised to adopt cloud solutions wherever it can, but are all of them ready for prime time?
  • Five Ways to NOT Be Like the Postal Service (0)August 1, 2012In some ways, the post office is the original channel partner. Here's a look at the lessons solution providers can take away from the storied service's looming demise.
  • DataCore Joins VirtualSharp for DR (0)August 1, 2012DataCore teams up with VirtualSharp to provide an automated, instant, redundant backup and recovery platform ideal for enterprise environments where downtime is unacceptable and multiple off-site backups are needed.
  • Tarmin Pushes Data Storage (0)July 31, 2012Cloud storage firm Tarmin is making a concerted push into the industry with the launch of a channel program that focuses on core partners to drive growth and make inroads capitalizing on Big Data trends.
  • Continuum Offers 24×7 Help Desk as-a-Service (0)July 31, 2012Continuum provides a 24x7 help desk service for its MSPs, allowing MSPs to grow and take on more customers while still providing robust support for high-level service issues and low-end desktop quirks. MSPs can also also white-label Continuum's service and have Continuum support custom applications.
  • Bahr Back to Lead Cisco’s Americas Partners (0)July 31, 2012The channel veteran will once again lead the networking giant's partner efforts in the U.S. and Canada, this time around adding Latin America to her responsibilities.
  • Eversync Drives Cloud With Partner Program (0)July 31, 2012Cloud data protection startup Eversync is establishing itself with the launch of a comprehensive channel program. This will allow partners to target SMB markets and leverage cloud trends compete with larger – but slower – storage and backup players.
  • Dell’s Windows 8 Thin Clients Could Be Tablets (0)July 31, 2012Dell gears up for Windows 8 with Metro by suggesting its new thin clients are "finely tuned" for the touch-based experience of Windows 8. With Wyse under its belt, Dell could be building a thin client tablet made for the Windows 8 world.
  • Unisys VCE Bump Provides Mutual Benefit (0)July 30, 2012Unisys's new Unisys Secure Private Cloud Solution earns the Vblock-ready seal of approval from the VCE. Can the VCE leverage Unisys' size to earn more industry clout?
  • Oracle Taps Xsigo for Virtualized Networking (0)July 30, 2012Oracle buys virtualization networking company Xsigo to help expand its cloud infrastructure capabilities. Is Xsigo the missing piece for the Oracle Cloud infrastructure?
  • SAP Mobile Apps Program Seeks Partners (1)July 30, 2012The SAP Mobile Apps Partner program is designed to help partners capitalize on the need for mobile apps in the enterprise. These new moves provide incentives, tools and developmental resources to make cross-platform business apps easy to build, deploy and sell. But can SAP make inroads in the US market?
  • Big Data Challenges, Opportunities Growing (1)July 30, 2012Making sense of the massive mix of structured and unstructured data bombarding modern businesses is an engine of competitive advantage and innovation.
  • SaaSMAX Delivers, But Will Have to Compete (2)July 27, 2012SaasMAX launches the Channel Marketplace as a one-stop shop to help VARs and solutions providers mix and match SaaS apps and manage customer relationships. But can SaaSMAX compete with the old guard of distribution giants already pushing this style of platform?
  • Synnex Earnings Flat, Avnet Tackles Complexity (0)July 27, 2012Synnex's nearly flat year-over-year growth may indicate an economic slowdown in the tech sector, along with the dwindling influence of distributors. Meanwhile, Avnet ramps up its education for IBM partners, slipstreaming training at Compass 2012.
  • Parallels: Automation Spurs Hosted Email Growth (0)July 27, 2012Parallels says its automation software makes it easier for solution providers to adopt and deliver Microsoft Hosted Exchange services. Its current crop of users is reporting a 47 percent increase in Exchange business.
  • Atos Shows Not All Is Bad in Europe (0)July 27, 2012The Eurozone is getting a bad rap from tech vendors who blame it for dragging down their quarterly earnings and profits. However, French integrator Atos is showing that not all is bad in Europe, and growth can come from international markets.
  • Google Fiber: What To Do With a Gigabit (0)July 27, 2012Now that Google Fiber is here, what can a gigabit do for the channel? Ultra-high speed connections mark the beginning of more sophisticated and advanced cloud services which can deliver massive amounts of information and still operate close to real time.
  • Google Fiber Disrupts Traditional ISPs (1)July 26, 2012Google unveils Google Fiber, offering a gigabit fiber connection in addition to a complete Internet television service. With no data caps or limitations, free cloud storage and near-instant download speeds, Google is simultaneously disrupting the cable provider market and the traditional model for ISPs.
  • BMC Infuses Cost Accounting into Clouds (2)July 26, 2012Businesses are migrating more mission-critical applications and resources into public and private cloud environments to save money and increase productivity. BMC Software is introducing a new application to account for costs and facilitate chargebacks. Here’s why you should care about cloud accounting.
  • Report: Cloud Driving Multidimensional Channels (0)July 26, 2012A new Cloud & Technology Transformation Alliance (CTTA) special report details how the growing cloud evolution is driving the creation of multidimentional, interdependent channels that deliver holistic services to market.
  • What Went Wrong and What’s Next at Symantec (0)July 26, 2012Symantec surprised many in the market and channel with yesterday’s sudden ouster of longtime chief Enrique Salem. While Symantec is tight-lipped about the significance of this change, telltale signs point to what’s happening at the security and storage company, as well as what may come next.
  • Google Launches PaaS Partner Program (0)July 25, 2012Google launches its Cloud Platform Partner Program, providing Google cloud opportunities, tools and training for service and technology partners. Google's partner invitation sets the stage for more advanced Google cloud solutions to come.
  • Dimension Data Unveils Cloud Program (0)July 25, 2012IT management and infrastructure firm Dimension Data unveils a cloud partner program that will likely allow partners to expand their practices, accelerate their time to market and make new inroads in niche cloud infrastructure services.
  • Symantec Shakeup Ousts Salem for Bennett (0)July 25, 2012Amid the race to the cloud, Symantec replaces CEO Enrique Salem with Steve Bennett to reallocate resources and push a cloud-centric, service-oriented, partner-friendly future for the security company.
  • IBM Building a Different Managed Services Model (0)July 25, 2012In the last two years, IBM has reversed its midmarket fortunes based almost exclusively on penetrating the managed services segment. But the way IBM defines managed services is vastly different than the rest of the market and a reflection of where managed services are going.
  • Juniper-Riverbed Deal New Thorn in Cisco’s Side (1)July 25, 2012The networking specialists join forces to deliver a set of WAN optimization technologies aimed at improving both traditional and mobile applications delivery.
  • ManageEngine Shines With Ruby on Rails (0)July 25, 2012ManageEngine introduces Ruby on Rails support, making it easier for IT admins and MSPs to peer inside Rails apps and uncover valuable metrics for improving application performance.
  • F5 Networks, Westcon Group Ink Global Deal (0)July 24, 2012F5 Networks inks a global distribution deal with the Westcon Group, allowing F5 Networks to tap into new partner opportunities and provide its technology for new and emerging areas of cloud development.
  • Nicira Acquisition Bolsters VMware Prowess (0)July 24, 2012VMware's acquisition of software-defined networking company Nicira expands its virtualization capabilities for evolving cloud technologies, raising the stakes for competitors like Cisco and Juniper.
  • Unified Communications is Mobility Glue (0)July 24, 2012As mobile device management and BYOD steal the spotlight, there's one important factor that will truly make a mobile workforce more productive: unified communications. Without the UC 'glue' to keep it all together, mobility will never reach its true potential.
  • Cisco Slashes 1,300 Jobs in Agility Attempt (0)July 23, 2012Cisco cuts 1,300 jobs in an ongoing attempt to streamline the company and redouble its engineering efforts on emerging cloud and hosted technologies.
  • HP CMS 10 Aims to Automate (0)July 23, 2012HP launches the HP Configuration Management System 10, a solution platform designed to give large enterprises, government organizations and managed service providers better asset management and discover for evolving complexity of IT environments.
  • 10 Essential Services Key Performance Indicators (3)July 23, 2012Managed and cloud services are no longer a choice for solution providers. Here are 10 key performance indicators for solution providers looking to transform their businesses to capitalize on the services evolution.
  • Is Age of the Printing Over? (2)July 23, 2012Xerox and Lexmark reported less-than-stellar quarterly earnings under pressure of international exchange rates. The difference between the two companies: Xerox has IT services, which is holding up its performance. The evidence is mounting that the age of printing is nearly over.
  • Privacy a Selling Point for Solution Providers (0)July 23, 2012A new survey from MIcrosoft has revealed that SMBs are ready and willing to adopt the latest cloud technologies, so long as their privacy and compliance policies are met. Solution providers should gear up and take on another emerging SMB opportunity.
  • Confidence Wanes Among IT Execs (0)July 20, 2012The dismal results of CompTIA's latest Industry Business Confidence Index point to fiscal pessimism and continued sluggishness in the IT business world.
  • 5 Solution Providers Making Winning Moves (0)July 20, 2012Success doesn’t come easy. It requires strategic planning and focused execution. Here are five solution providers that exemplify the benefits of strategic decision-making, comprehensive strategies, business planning and focused execution.
  • SMB Confusion is a Channel Opportunity (2)July 20, 2012A new survey reveals that SMBs are having a harder time adopting the latest IT trends, finding the complexity of new solutions overwhelming. This complexity represents opportunity for the channel, where VARs and solutions providers can embody the 'trusted advisor' role and better target their services.
  • Dell Aims for $5 Billion Software Sales (0)July 20, 2012When Dell closes its acquisition of Quest Software, its software sales will surge past $2 billion annually. That’s nothing compared to Dell’s $5 billion software ambition, which will be built on strategic acquisitions and organic growth, says the company’s software chief. There’s a lot of channel potential and challenge in that goal.
  • Good Channel News in Microsoft Earnings (0)July 20, 2012Microsoft took a massive write-off related to its online advertising business, which caused its first quarterly loss as a public company. Nevertheless, there’s lots of good news in the rest of the business, and that reflects the power and potential of the Microsoft channel network.
  • What the ARM Race Means for the Channel (0)July 20, 2012ARM CPUs are finding their way into servers instead of smartphones. If the new use of ARM CPUs takes off, what will the channel’s responsibility be in supporting this new architecture?
  • ExchangeDefender’s CloudShare Backup Is Free (1)July 19, 2012ExchangeDefender's new CloudShare solution gives businesses a Dropbox-esque synchronization and backup platform with the business-centric features SMBs need. As a free add-on to the ExchangeDefender platform, partners have access to low-hanging fruit that can add much value.
  • After a Year, VCE Finally Gets a New CEO (0)July 19, 2012After nearly a year of operating with the CEO office vacant, the virtualization joint venture of Cisco, EMC and VMware has appointed a new chief executive, Praveen Akkiraju, who comes from the ranks of Cisco’s networking services group. The appointment may indicate VCE sees a sustained future in private clouds.
  • Google Urges Professional Help in Apps Adoption (0)July 19, 2012In a recent blog post, Google touts the growing legions of Google Apps consultants as a benefit to end users, as they are skilled and experience in implementing the cloud-based suite. Microsoft, too, is urging partners to engage with Office 365. Another interpretation: cloud productivity apps aren’t self-service and require professional support.
  • Blue Coat Brings App Control For BYOD (1)July 19, 2012Blue Coat expands its security offerings with the Blue Coat mobile application control platform. Via an appliance or the cloud, Blue Coat can provide granular control over application network access, eliminating the risk of data leaks or inappropriate network behavior.
  • SAP’s Big Data Puts Intelligence Everywhere (0)July 18, 2012SAP launches BusinessObjects 4.0, complete with five key "pillars" of business intelligence, designed to make big data information accessible and collaborative for the SME environment.
  • Rackspace Launches Apps Market, With Help (0)July 18, 2012Rackspace is steadily expanding from a hosting to a cloud services company. The addition of the Cloud Tools Marketplace, powered by AppDirect, will provide Rackspace customers with access to software to run on hosted and managed assets. The alliance is part of a growing trend for not just apps, but app stores.
  • Intermedia Sees Value in White Clouds (0)July 18, 2012Intermedia is one of a handful of hosting companies selected by Microsoft for its hosted Exchange 2013 beta program. For Intermedia, though, the program is another step in a broader plan to provide hosted, managed cloud offerings to solution providers as a white labeled service.
  • BetterCloud FlashPanel Hits Google Marketplace (0)July 18, 2012BetterCloud's FlashPanel exits private beta mode, bringing enhanced and improved features specifically built for Google Apps administrators that need more robust control than what Google offers out of the box.
  • Cisco Taps Virtuata for VM Security (0)July 17, 2012Cisco picks up cloud and virtualization security company Virtuata to expand its infrastructure, security and networking capabilities amid impending competition from rivals like HP and Dell.
  • Avaya IP Office 8.1 Brings SME Focus (0)July 17, 2012Avaya debuts IP Office 8.1, with a focus on the SME community. Avaya has also sought to capitalize on the BYOD trend by expanding its mobile UC offerings to the SME space.
  • Office 2013: A Catalyst for Microsoft’s Revival (4)July 17, 2012The forthcoming Windows 8 OS may be a game changer that propels Microsoft into the tablet and mobile market, but it’s the new Office that has stronger strategic value: expanding Microsoft’s footprint and dragging other product sales.
  • The New Office: Microsoft Aims Sky-High (0)July 16, 2012Microsoft completely revamps its Office ecosystem, introducing a new version of Office 365 for the consumer world and Windows 8 versions of Office that exploit the benefits of the tablet form-factor. The new Office also includes collaboration hooks for Skype, Lync and Web-based applications.
  • Huawei Plans Storage-Offering Boost (1)July 16, 2012China's Huawei says it plans to bulk up its storage offerings to create an end-to-end data solution as it prepares to go toe-to-toe with bigger rivals following the Symantec buyout.
  • Kaseya Provides ‘Foundation’ for IT Pros (0)July 16, 2012Kaseya launches Kaseya Foundation, a basic SaaS automation package designed to give IT admins and solution provides just the right amount control for basic break-fix needs. Foundation also comes with a new porta, allowing a customizable mix-and-match approach for more advanced automation modules.
  • Peak 10 Launches Enhanced Channel Program (0)July 13, 2012Data center and cloud provider Peak 10 is opening new doors for partners with the launch of an enhanced channel program, indicating the growing demand for specialized high-margin channel services dedicated to the SMB.
  • Survey: AV, Management Lacking In SMB (1)July 13, 2012A survey released by security and IT management firm GFI indicated that SMB IT administrators have gaping holes in their AV practices, indicating wide swaths of opportunity for the channel to address glaring security issues with remote services and best practices consulting.
  • ElasticHosts Delivers White-Label Cloud Platform (0)July 13, 2012ElasticHosts offers a unique pay-as-you-go white-label cloud provisioning platform built with the channel in mind. Resellers can brand and resell ElasticHosts cloud portal to customers that need to provision and customize their own cloud servers. Everything else, including billing and revenue, is completely automated. Is this the cloud style of the future?
  • Axcient, NetEnrich Deliver Uptime Management (0)July 12, 2012Axcient and NetEnrich combine forces to deliver a complete backup, recovery and continuity solution that can be easily managed, allowing Axcient and NetEnrich partners to expand their capabilities and potentially their customer base.
  • HP ExpertOne Fast Tracks EMC, NetApp Training (1)July 12, 2012HP introduces the ExpertOne Fast Track training program designed to help partners with pre-existing EMC and NetApp certifications speed through HP Storage specializations and accelerate growth within the PartnerOne program.
  • GFI Launches New Cloud Platform (0)July 12, 2012Security and IT management firm GFI launched a new console that enables the channel to offer a host of cloud services, allowing partners to carve out new niches and make greater dents in the SMB space.
  • Microsoft Bolsters Incentives, Field Support (0)July 12, 2012Microsoft believes the release of Windows 8 and other products this fall will cause a surge in IT spending, but it’s not taking any chances. To ensure success, Microsoft is flooding the channel with incentives and support.
  • Polycom Consolidates Partner Network (0)July 11, 2012Polycom reworks its partner program and consolidates all partners into seven specific partner designations. Polycom believes this will streamline intra-partner collaboration, spurring new app development and solution portfolios and fulfilling the "video everywhere" ideology.
  • Trend Micro Revamps Cloud, MSP Channel (1)July 11, 2012Trend Micro is breathing new life into its cloud channel with a revamped channel program, MSP capabilities and a slew of new certifications and enablement tools. Among other things, the launch aims to reinvigorate its channel community, as the security vendor facing increasingly stiff competition from industry players in the cloud space.
  • IT Spending To Top $3.6T by End of 2012 (0)July 11, 2012A new Gartner report pegs global business IT spending at $3.6 trillion, with the fastest growing segment in cloud services and telecommunications equipment. This shows the resiliency of the IT industry, which saw sales plunge to $2.6 trillion at the bottom of the recession in 2009.
  • Why Microsoft was Right to Kill SBS (9)July 11, 2012Microsoft’s decision to discontinue Small Business Server, a highly popular product in the channel, has rankled many solution providers who believe the replacement, Windows Server 2012, and cloud options aren’t always appropriate for small businesses. However, there’s logic behind Microsoft’s decision, and it will ultimately benefit the channel.
  • Symantec Makes Cloud Push With MSP Console (1)July 10, 2012Symantec is forging ahead full force on its stated cloud strategy with the release of a MSP management console and the launch of a new licensing program. The push will likely serve to fill gaps in partners' cloud portfolios but might fall short of giving them a leg up on cloud competitors.
  • Performance is Paramount in EMC NetWorker 8.0 (0)July 10, 2012EMC launches NetWorker 8.0, a robust upgrade to EMC's backup software, featuring up to 50 percent faster backup performance, new Microsoft software integration capabilities and enhanced cloud service delivery capabilities.
  • N-central 9 Brings Next-Level Automation (0)July 10, 2012N-able launches N-central 9.0, the successor to the transitional N-central 8.2 release. N-central 9.0 brings with it a redesigned automation manager and streamlined tools to turn MSPs into RMM powerhouses.
  • Microsoft Opens Office 365 to Partner Billing (0)July 10, 2012Microsoft is now allowing partners to bill and administer Office 365 accounts. The change ends five years of dispute between Microsoft and partners over account controls, but the new program could have some unintended consequences.
  • Convergence Trending Amid Westcon VCE Deal (0)July 9, 2012Westcon Group signs a distribution deal with the VCE, bringing converged infrastructure to a much wider, global audience. But is this a sign of an emerging trend in converged infrastructure?
  • Quest Expands Channel Amid Dell Acquisition (0)July 9, 2012Quest Software is expanding its global partner program to be more inclusive of service providers and carriers, a reflection of how its software is being used as a transformation agent in cloud computing. Quest is making these changes ahead of integration with Dell PartnerDirect program.
  • Mobile Strategies Come First In The Future (0)July 9, 2012In the future, the acceptance of tablets as standard computing platforms will force a shift in the channel, turning solution providers into mobile-first cloud brokers that will outfit organizations with the software and tools needed to host a mobile-first environment.
  • Cisco Encourages Cloud Differentiation (1)July 6, 2012Selling or serving the cloud isn't just about delivering the same SaaS under a new name -- to truly capitalize partners must differentiate. A Cisco guest blog featuring Surinder Barar details four unique steps which mix common sense with partner dedication.
  • ManageEngine Amps Tools with Service Catalog (0)July 6, 2012ManagedEngine is enhancing its ServiceDesk Plus-MSP with a new service catalog, a tool that will enable managed service providers to administer applications across multiple accounts on behalf of their customers. Service catalogs are the bridge between managed services and cloud computing in the channel.
  • SMB Hosters See Cloud Land Grab (1)July 6, 2012SMBs are frequently turning to major hosting companies for cloud needs. Does this spell disaster for MSPs or should MSPs be forming alliances with major hosting companies to add value within packaged cloud solutions?
  • Tablets to Reign Supreme in 2017 (0)July 4, 2012By 2017, tablets will officially outpace notebooks in sales and market share, according to estimates. With this continued growth, what fate befalls the venerable notebook computer?
  • VMware’s Value Play with DynamicOps (0)July 3, 2012As it seeks to add more value to its portfolio, VMware picks up cloud automation and management company DynamicOps. Cloud focus is turning away from the infrastructure and into apps and services, allowing VMware to leverage DynamicOps and give customers management of "heterogenous" cloud environments.
  • Systems America Acquires SAP Partner Mile5 (0)July 3, 2012Systems America acquires Mile5 Solutions, an SAP partner that specializes in ERP for the SME. Together, Mile5's resources will help Systems America reach a wider enterprise audience.
  • HP Goes Intel-First on Windows 8 Tablets (0)July 2, 2012Reports confirm HP's first Windows 8 tablet will be x86-based and focused around the business user. Could this help super-charge HP partners and resellers looking to build-out specialized Windows 8 portfolios?
  • Countdown to Microsoft WPC Toronto (0)July 2, 2012Microsoft’s annual channel confab, the Worldwide Partner Conference, is in Toronto in just one week. Microsoft says it’s the biggest WPC in its channel history – and it’s probably the most important gathering of Microsoft partners in years.
  • Ingram Micro Invests in Computing Infrastructure (0)July 2, 2012Ingram Micro builds out a new line of high-performance computing solutions specifically for the channel. Ingram hopes to fast-track system builders and enterprise-focused VARs into deploying the infrastructure needed for Big Data and private cloud computing clusters.
  • Amazon Cloud 0, Real Clouds 1 (0)July 2, 2012Powerful storms over the weekend wreaked havoc across the Mid-Atlantic states, causing widespread power outages. One of the infrastructure casualties was none other than an Amazon EC2 facility, which took several popular social services down with it. The incident is a dramatic demonstration of the need for cloud disaster recovery.
  • StorageCraft Ups Cloud Services, Training (0)June 29, 2012StorageCraft launches a cloud backup program plus new virtualized training options for upcoming partners. The moves reflect the coming rush of cloud-based backup solutions.
  • Symantec, Red Hat Align For Data Recovery (0)June 28, 2012Symantec and Red Hat join forces to provide robust disaster recovery and storage capabilities through Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Symantec's advanced file storage capabilities. Are Symantec and Red Hat preemptively teaming up as enterprises seek new cloud backup capabilities?
  • RSA Captures IAM Market Lead (0)June 28, 2012RSA appears to have captured the market lead in the area Identity and Access Management, according to IDC, boding well for channel partners recovering from the fallout of last year's epic SecureID breach.
  • independenceIT Taps Veddio for Cloud Union (0)June 28, 2012independenceIT acquires Veddio in an effort to combine complementary cloud services and create a true end-to-end solution for the small business community. Will IaaS and cloud management coalesce to create the cloud of the future?
  • Time to Get ‘Time to Value’ (0)June 28, 2012The channel’s race to the cloud is often framed as the adoption of infrastructure and application services. Midmarket and enterprise companies want more than just commodity clouds; they want services that will increase their productivity and improve their time to value.
  • Windows 8 RT Signals End of NT Era (0)June 28, 2012With Windows 8 RT arriving shortly, it's only a matter of time before this new platform supplants the legacy of Windows NT. As the transition sweeps the IT world, the channel is uniquely poised to capitalize -- if it knows where to look.
  • Level Platforms Boosts MDM Security (0)June 27, 2012Level Platforms enhances its MDM offering for MSPs leveraging its RMM platform. With these new updates, MSPs will have access to new security, automation and management capabilities to streamline multiple customer environments.
  • Eucalyptus Brings Consulting, Education Training (1)June 27, 2012Eucalyptus launches two new partner certifications that focus on partner education and consulting specializations. On the heals of the Eucalyptus 3.1 platform launch, the company makes another move to invest in its own ecosystem and partner community.
  • Survey: Rogue Cloud Purchases Are Prevalent (0)June 27, 2012A new Rackspace survey finds businesses have a generally favorable opinion of cloud computing and see the benefits it can provide. Not surprising, though: Nearly half say they know of rogue cloud purchases outside IT, showing how the traditional buyer isn’t always in control of the IT purchase.
  • Pano Logic Gets Virtual with Chrome (0)June 27, 2012Pano Logic launches Pano System for Cloud, a new virtualization solution that leverages a private cloud to push the Google Chrome browser to specialized zero clients. Is this the next wave of virtualization and cloud computing?
  • Tech Data Delivers Complete Oracle Lineup (0)June 26, 2012Oracle announces a new distribution agreement with Tech Data to globally distribute its entire portfolio of technology, software and hardware. Amid Oracle's facts and figures about a growing channel community, there's still no talk of the channel in the Oracle Cloud.
  • Vaultive Expands with Channel Program Launch (0)June 26, 2012Cloud data encryption vendor Vaultive is branching out with the launch of a channel program and the appointment of a channel chief – a move that speaks of a growing need for specialized data protection services in the cloud.
  • ConnectWise Cloud Gets Akamai Optimization (2)June 26, 2012ConnectWise teams up with Akamai to make ConnectWise Cloud a highly optimized IT automation platform for customers and partners alike. But the relationship with Akamai also represents ConnectWise's plan to drive sales through the roof.
  • Oracle Launches Health Sciences Network (1)June 26, 2012Oracle launches the Oracle Health Sciences Network, initially offering a trio of applications to make health care research and collaboration between medical professionals and health care companies a more streamlined process. Can the channel cash in?
  • CA Partners Deliver Mainframe Modernization (0)June 25, 2012CA Technologies launches the Mainframe Modernization partner program solution portfolio, designed to capitalize on CA's growing partner momentum and give customers more efficient and cost-effective IT management tools.
  • Rackspace Raises Spector of ‘Cloud Lock-In’ (0)June 25, 2012Rackspace CEO Lew Moorman spent much of last week talking up the dangers of ‘cloud lock-in,’ in which the future cloud-based world would be beholden to one model proffered by Amazon Web Services. The chatter comes amid fresh speculation that Rackspace could be a takeover target.
  • Logitech’s Sorrentino Signals Peripheral Plan (1)June 22, 2012Logitech appoints Joseph Sorrentino as the director of sales and marketing for the Americas. WIll Sorrentino's new role simultaneously propel Logitech's vendor-agnostic peripheral agenda while working towards reshaping Logitech's 2013 fiscal goals?
  • Motorola Envisions Integrated Retail Systems (0)June 22, 2012Motorola Solutions released its vision for the retail IT system of the future, in which retailers and merchants use integrated mobility, wireless and business analytics to create more efficient operations and better consumer experiences. The channel opportunities in hardware, software and services are boundless.
  • The New Microsoft: Windows Phone 8 (2)June 22, 2012Rumor has it that Microsoft is building its own phone for Windows Phone 8, right alongside its new Surface Tablet. What does that mean for Nokia and the rest of the industry? Is Microsoft going crazy or has it finally found its way?
  • Red Hat JBoss 6 Brings Fast App Deployment (0)June 22, 2012Red Hat Launches JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 6, designed to make cloud app development and deployment a more streamlined experience for both user and developer alike.
  • LANDesk Scoops Wavelink for MDM (0)June 21, 2012LANDesk could be emerging as a key player in end-to-end enterprise management solutions as it picks up company Wavelink for it's wireless infrastructure and MDM capabilities.
  • Bit9 Demand Triggers Partner Growth (0)June 21, 2012Bit9 expands its channel program amid customer and partner growth. Unlike other security vendors, Bit9 is claiming its wares complement -- not replace -- existing security infrastructure, which should make Bit9 appealing its target customer base of vertical industries and the enterprise.
  • The Big Deal Behind Big Data (1)June 21, 2012Business intelligence, data warehouses and deep analytics were once reserved exclusive for large enterprises. The proliferation of cloud computing and the lowering of costs for business intelligence applications is making Big Data more accessible to all. And it’s a trend few companies can afford to miss.
  • Carbonite Looks to Channel for SMB Sales (1)June 21, 2012Carbonite made a name for itself in selling cloud-based file and application backup services to consumers and small business users. The company is now appealing to solution providers with a channel program that targets SMB accounts.
  • HP Turns to Ingram to Bolster Integrity Sales (0)June 21, 2012A casualty of the Hewlett-Packard legal battle with Oracle over the Itanium platform’s future has been sales of Business Critical Systems and high-end Integrity servers. HP is turning to Ingram Micro to recruit and promote sales of Integrity servers even as its processor’s future hangs in the balance.
  • Eucalyptus 3.1 Boosts Open-Source Clouds (0)June 20, 2012Eucalyptus launches version 3.1 of its IaaS platform, involving the open-source community more closely by moving to Github, expanding solution provider capabilities with fast deployment options and increasing virtualization support for hybrid cloud environments.
  • Cisco Launches WebEx Social (1)June 19, 2012Cisco extended social collaboration with WebEx Social and a corresponding cloud client, a move that could fill in a valuable mobility piece for partners and create inroads in the SMB and lower markets.
  • Datto Academy Brings Training to Partners (1)June 19, 2012Datto launches online and on-site training designed to help partners understand and sell the company's SIRIS backup and recovery solutions. With zero cost to sign up and train, Datto is hoping to build an army of well-educated backup partners.
  • Samsung CEO: It’s All about the Apps (2)June 19, 2012New Samsung CEO Kwon Oh-hyun wants the hardware giant to step up efforts to develop software and applications for its myriad devices. Not only is he right, but he’s preaching a lesson that channel needs to learn, too.
  • Microsoft Surface Tablet Marks the End of an Era (2)June 19, 2012Microsoft's foray into vertical integration marks the end of the software-centric company. As Microsoft plots a course to new computing paradigms, will it inadvertently set the stage for more vertically integrated platforms?
  • 10 Big Cloud Spending Numbers (2)June 19, 2012Cloud computing is the big trend that promises huge riches to vendors and solution providers alike. Just how big the cloud is – or will be – isn’t easy to calculate. Analysts just can’t agree. Channelnomics looks at the disagreeing estimates of the total addressable cloud market.
  • Ingram’s New Summit Is a Federal Event (1)June 18, 2012Ingram Micro suits up for the federal IT world by launching the first Public Sector Federal Summit. Designed to give partners a deep-dive into federal IT needs, it may help propel the channel into profitability with Uncle Sam.
  • Riverbed Zaps Web Apps with Stingray (0)June 18, 2012Riverbed launches the Stingray Traffic Manager 9.0 and the software-based Stingray Aptimizer, which together bring application delivery control and Web optimization to cloud providers by compressing bandwidth and speeding content delivery.
  • Court Orders Zenith Infotech to Reassess Value (1)June 18, 2012In the ongoing dispute over its defaulted debt, Zenith Infotech was ordered by an India court to reassess its value. At issue is whether the company can pay its $85 million debt to U.S. leaders – or face liquidation.
  • Hardware Services Will Become End-to-End (1)June 18, 2012Hardware sales are becoming more about the services, and services are becoming more intertwined with hardware – these are signs of bigger things to come, including the widespread proliferation of end-to-end solutions. Can pre-packaged end-to-end solutions reshape the channel and IT landscape?
  • Massachusetts Deems Some Clouds as Taxable (0)June 15, 2012Recent rulings by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue deem certain cloud services subject to sales tax. What makes a cloud taxable is a matter of use and intent.
  • Oracle Optimizes Cloud with SPARC, Solaris (0)June 15, 2012Oracle offers a slew of optimizations and updates to SPARC/Solaris server combinations, in addition to a few other private-cloud goodies, all under the Oracle Optimized Solution for Enterprise Cloud Infrastructure program.
  • 10 Tough Truisms about the Channel’s Future (24)June 14, 2012The IT market and the channel are going through one of the most disruptive transformations in the industry’s history. For many solution providers, this transformation tests assumptions and creates big challenges. The bad news: It’s worse than many think – or are willing to acknowledge.
  • Microsoft Promotes Updated Windows Intune (0)June 14, 2012Microsoft isn’t letting chatter about the Windows 8 launch drown out other products, especially the endpoint management console Windows Intune. It’s a clear sign Microsoft will pursue a two-pronged approach to market, bridging the new OS and legacy Windows 7.
  • Apple’s New MacBooks Target Ultrabooks (0)June 14, 2012Apple's MacBook refinements at WWDC show a competitive attitude amid the throng of ultrabooks coming later in 2012. Is Apple's plan to dominate the market with the MacBook Air and an iPhone 5 this fall?
  • Cisco Crafts Corporate Cloud Connections (0)June 13, 2012Cisco launches a host of new solutions to upgrade aging networking infrastructure for the cloud world. Cisco's Cloud Connectors and Services Router are just some of the ways to connect more customers with its hardware and emerging service solutions.
  • Autotask, ConnectWise Race for $100M Mark (0)June 13, 2012Autotask is mirroring the revenue goal of its rival ConnectWise, stating it foresees a day when it will generate more than $100 million in annual sales. While the two professional services automation vendors are pursuing the same objective, they’re taking very different approaches.
  • Study: SMB Struggles To Stay Secure (1)June 12, 2012A Sophos study finds that a significant portion of SMB data is protected by five-year-old firewalls and other outdated infrastructure, leaving a wide-open playing field for partners to help lower-market customers find creative approaches to security and compliance.
  • Cloupia Update Taps Converged Infrastructure (0)June 12, 2012Cloupia continues to expand and enhance its data center management software with the Cloupia Unified Infrastructure Controller, mobile-based remote management tools with a wide range of vendor support for heterogeneous environments.
  • VMware Launches Pro-Services Partner Program (0)June 12, 2012The virtualization leader sees big opportunities in the development and implementation of private clouds. It’s new Consulting and Integration Partner Program is designed to enable and reward partners who drive private cloud adoption.
  • Microsoft Continues Azure Refinements (0)June 12, 2012Microsoft continues to refine and develop the services built around the Windows cloud platform, including Windows Intune and Windows Azure's developmental capabilities with HTML5-friendly LightSwitch.
  • Dell Debuts New EqualLogic Blade Array (0)June 12, 2012At the Dell Storage Forum, the company has unleashed a new blade-style unit for the EqualLogic platform, converging data, storage and networking into a singular blade chassis. Dell sees this as a the emergence of a true “end-to-end” data center solution and the shape of storage solutions to come.
  • Study: Customers Lean Toward Private Cloud (0)June 11, 2012Service providers say more than 50 percent of their customers are leaning toward private clouds, an option that provides organizations some control over their data while alleviating security concerns, which remain the top challenge to cloud adoption.
  • Cisco, NetApp Push FlexPod Into Channel (0)June 11, 2012Cisco and NetApp continue to develop the FlexPod platform, encouraging partner development and growth by introducing the "elite" FlexPod Premium Partner network. While FlexPod has been successful, can Cisco and NetApp boost adoption numbers through the channel?
  • The New Cloud Fractal: Migration (1)June 11, 2012In the not-too-distant future, large end-to-end clouds like those from Oracle and Microsoft may create the need for cloud migrations services that move data from one cloud silo over to another. Will the channel find this cloud opportunity profitable? Can the cloud continue to provide for the channel?
  • ConnectWise Sees Uptick In API Usage (0)June 8, 2012ConnectWise spotlights its developer community and vendor integrations, with over 800 vendors now contributing to the ConnectWise Developer Network, leveraging ConnectWise's APIs for automated managed services and devices.
  • Delivering Solutions After Cloud Peak (2)June 8, 2012Cloud computing is a term on everyone’s lips – nothing in the IT world is launched without having “cloud” attached to it in some form. Yet, there’s some evidence that general cloud interest has peaked. Has it in the channel?
  • Windows Azure Goes Hybrid (0)June 8, 2012Microsoft unleashes a new set of enhancements to the Windows Azure cloud platform, bringing increased flexibility and mobility in hybrid-cloud environments.
  • CA Launches Search for Next CEO (0)June 7, 2012The McCracken era at CA Technologies is nearly over. The software and cloud company is looking for a replacement CEO Bill McCracken, who is expected to depart when his contract expires next year.
  • CloudOne Brings SaaS to Public Sector (0)June 7, 2012CloudOne is delivering IBM's SmartCloud for Government Infrastructure with the IBM Rational portfolio inside an SaaS model – all specifically tailored to meet the compliance, security and cost-based needs of government development and testing operations.
  • EMC, Terremark Team Up on Cloud Storage (0)June 7, 2012The storage and infrastructure leader and the cloud services division of Verizon Communications are working to develop and expand cloud offerings, particularly in storage and backup options. The partnership is more likely about simplifying cloud solutions than creating new clouds.
  • Ellison: Oracle Cloud ‘Long Time Coming’ (0)June 7, 2012Larry Ellison unveils the Oracle Cloud, replete with a comprehensive set of services, applications and enterprise-ready social networking.
  • Tech Data Adds Mac Management with Casper (0)June 6, 2012As Apple's devices invade the enterprise, Tech Data teams up with JAMF Software to bring Mac OS X and iOS management to the channel with Casper Suite.
  • Salesforce.com, Amazon Embrace the Channel (0)June 6, 2012Salesforce.com and Amazon Web Service are now being resold through Ingram Micro’s services division, a clear sign solution providers retain a critical piece of value in the cloud go-to-market strategy.
  • Ingram Adds Advanced Apps to Cloud Portfolio (1)June 5, 2012Ingram Micro Services is expanding its cloud and service portfolio with 16 new vendors, including Salesforce.com, Amazon Web Services and CA Technologies. Of the more than six dozen new solutions, the standouts are those in advanced business applications and infrastructure management.
  • IBM Streamlines Cloud App Development (0)June 5, 2012IBM caters to its growing base of cloud and mobile software development companies with a new set of lifecycle development tools wrought from IBM's recent Worklight acquisition.
  • HP Bridges Storage and Autonomy (0)June 4, 2012HP's new deduplicaiton and backup technology has arrived, with HP StoreOnce Catalyst and HP Data Protector 7, now integrated with Autonomy IDOL 10. But can HP find success in the marketplace when only preliminary integration existis with Autonomy's channel program?
  • Ingram Cloud Summit is All About Sales (0)June 4, 2012The Ingram Cloud Summit opens today in the desert sands of Phoenix with an agenda packed with sessions on sales, pipeline development, market development and value propositions. The event content reflects how cloud in the channel is a business equation, not a technology solution.
  • Continuum Brings Mac Management to MSPs (0)June 1, 2012Continuum is delivering a fully-equipped Mac RMM amid rising demand for Macintosh computers and consumerization of IT. MSPs can offer the Mac RMM agent for free until the end of August.
  • IPv6 Is Here, But Still Doesn’t Matter (0)June 1, 2012The migration from IPv4 to IPv6 has been simultaneously hyped up and ignored, but what's the real deal? According to Enterasys' Dan Dulac, a true migration to IPv6 may not happen until there's a sudden precipitous change that demands it.
  • Avnet Teams With Savvis For Cloud Solutions (0)May 31, 2012Avnet teams up to bring Savvis' enterprise cloud capabilities to partners via the Avnet Cloud Solutions program. Will this exclusive agreement offer a competitive edge to a new wave of cloud-centric partners?
  • Cisco Bets on Preemptive Managed Services (0)May 31, 2012Cisco believes the future is hybrid clouds managed by its services division and its legions of partners. What’s different about Cisco’s hybrid vision is the connection of managed services, in which it and partners identify and correct software defects before they become problems.
  • CompanionLink Promises Zero-Cloud Sync (1)May 31, 2012CompanionLink offers DejaSync and DejaConnect as cloud-free alternatives to ensuring mobile CRM data is synchronized securely and encrypted without a byte of data existing on a cloud server.
  • VenyuCloud Brings VMware vCloud to MSPs (1)May 30, 2012Venyu brings the VenyuCloud to the channel as it looks to streamline and increase the adoption and deployment of cloud and virtualized data center environments.
  • Study: IT Trends Spur Channel Shakeouts (0)May 30, 2012A study by CompTIA finds that cloud computing and the consumerization of IT will prompt a major channel shift that will likely result in overhauled revenue streams and product delivery models for partners.
  • Lead Generation Sucks! Now What? (6)May 30, 2012Lead generation and sales conversions are the hardest part of the services business. Too many solution providers think sales are too hard because of the difficulty and expense of uncovering new customers. Perhaps you should look to existing customers for new sales opportunities.
  • BMC: The Next Big Acquisition Target? (3)May 30, 2012The fate of BMC hangs in the balance as Elliot Management seeks a suitor for acquisition. Could BMC's acquisition by Cisco, Oracle or Dell have the potential to shake up the market?
  • Newer, Sportier Chromebooks Target Workforce (1)May 30, 2012Google's new fleet of Chromebooks and the Chrombox may be consumer-centric on the surface, but thay're packed with business-savvy features that set the stage for Chrome OS to be widely used in the workplace.
  • DeviceLock Launches DLP Partner Alliance (0)May 29, 2012DeviceLock launches a new partner program built around the DeviceLock DLP Endpoint suite. The company is banking on specialized security VARs to adopt the Active Directory-integrated software to bring DLP to BYOD and social-enabled workplaces.
  • Dell Buying Quest Good for Managed Services? (0)May 29, 2012Reports state Dell is in talks to buy Quest Software, makers of the PacketTrap RMM and PSA tools. If the deal happens, it will put Dell in a new league in the managed services market. The question is whether this deal is good for managed services? Ultimately, the answer is yes.
  • Salesforce Adds Intel Cloud SSO (1)May 25, 2012Intel’s Cloud Single Sign On is now delivered on SalesForce’s social enterprise platform, a move that could instil confidence with end users and help channel partners ease customers into further cloud adoption.
  • Spiceworks New Cloud Discovery Service (0)May 25, 2012Spiceworks launches a free cloud detection services to all users of the Spiceworks 6.0 platform, helping IT admins automatically detect, monitor and evaluate the cloud services that are knowingly (or unknowingly)I running on the network.
  • Wyse, Rise Set Stage For End-To-End Services (0)May 25, 2012Wyse partners with UK company Rise to deliver end-to-end desktop virtualization and cloud solutions. Could the trend towards end-to-end services reshape the way channel partners deliver cloud and virutalization?
  • Avnet Launches EMC VSPEX Partner Program (0)May 24, 2012Avnet teams up with EMC to provide a streamlined way for partners to customize and deploy VSPEX backup solutions in the SME environment.
  • Cloud Acquisitions: Oracle, SAP, VMware (0)May 24, 2012Oracle, SAP and VMware are set to acquire Virtue, Ariba and Wanova, respectively. These acquisitions serve to strengthen each company's core portfolio while helping them expand into the cloud.
  • BT Focuses on U.S. Channel Expansion (0)May 24, 2012British Telecom is pushing to expand its U.S. presence through the channel, with a goal to double revenues inside the next three years.
  • New Alcatel-Lucent Routers Target Cloud, Video (0)May 23, 2012Alcatel-Lucent is attempting to challenge competitors with Internet core routers aimed at better addressing increasing network complexity and traffic volumes created with the cloud and mobile devices. Questions remain as to whether the offering will be seen as a viable alternative for the channel.
  • The Real Reason Chrome Surpassed IE (2)May 23, 2012The real reason Chrome has surpassed Internet Explorer isn't just popularity, it's about Chrome's dominance as a platform.
  • Oracle Shows Partner Love With New Training (1)May 23, 2012Oracle launches a new specialization focused on the Oracle Fusion Application program to encourage partner development as it looks to expand its footprint into the SaaS and cloud world.
  • EMC Helps Ease New Verticals To Cloud (0)May 22, 2012During EMC World, the storage giant announced new capabilities to its hybrid cloud deployment platform that allow partners to facilitate an easier transition customers in key vertical into a cloud environment.
  • EMC: Spotlight On Partners, Software Solutions (1)May 22, 2012EMC honors 45 partners with the EMC Certified Solutions tag, while it focuses on providing streamlined web-based management software with the VCE Vblock Unified Infrastructure Manager.
  • Microsoft Excludes Competitors from WPC (1)May 22, 2012Microsoft is specifically banning representatives of four major competitors from its annual Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto. The point isn’t keeping them away from information, but from partners and customers. It’s a pretty strong tell.
  • Lenovo Will Overtake HP in PCs (0)May 22, 2012China-based Lenovo will overtake Hewlett-Packard in the global PC market sometime in the second half of 2012, and it won’t matter for the most part. HP’s transformations show the power of relevancy to core markets and customers will reign supreme.
  • SAP May Tap MobileIron For Mobile Apps (0)May 22, 2012Reports suggest SAP has informally spoken to MDM company MobileIron in an effort to bring mobile apps and mobile device management into one neat package for the entire IT market.
  • Cisco, Bright House Team on Managed Services (0)May 21, 2012Cisco's latest partnership with cable operator Bright House Networks brings Cisco's white-labled "Smart Operate Services" security offering to over 200 schools. But is this managed security collaboration a sign of things to come from the networking vendor?
  • Bringing the Cloud Down to Earth (0)May 21, 2012Cloud computing offers many options for reducing the costs and complexity of infrastructure and applications. The challenge is making the right choices that achieve the operational and fiscal goals of your business.
  • EMC Helps Position Partners for Cloud (0)May 21, 2012At EMC World 2012, EMC launches new practices and cooperative engagements with its partners to spread the cloud storage gospel and streamline the deployment of new technologies.
  • HP Reorg, Layoffs Will Benefit the Channel (5)May 21, 2012Indications are growing that Hewlett-Packard will trim its workforce by as many as 30,000 employees in coming weeks in an effort to save money and invest in sales channels. Though painful, a sweeping reorganization will likely benefit channel partners. It worked for Cisco – it can work for HP.
  • Oracle Releases Cloud Service, VM Server 3.1 (0)May 18, 2012Oracle has hit the virtualization and cloud arenas with the launch of a new cloud service, a move that could provide new service paths for partners, along with latest release of its VM Server v. 3.1, pitting it as a viable contender against its biggest virtualization competitor VMware.
  • Junosphere Bolstered With Platform Tweaks (0)May 17, 2012Juniper equipped its Junosphere cloud offering with added partnerships and a few platform enhancements, all aimed at facilitating greater ease of use for partners and accelerating adoption of cloud and virtual infrastructure for customers.
  • Services May Unlock Unified Comm’s Potential (0)May 17, 2012Unified communications – the integration of various forms of digital messaging in a single platform – remains of high interest among businesses, but adoption is still relatively low. A new CompTIA study finds the attachment of cloud and managed services may open the door for greater unified communications adoption.
  • CA Process Automation 4 Arrives (0)May 16, 2012CA Technologies launches CA Process Automation 4, bringing a unified network automation platform for physical, virtual and cloud environments.
  • Reports: Enterprises Embracing BYOD Trend (0)May 16, 2012Enterprise organizations have moved well past the acceptance phase to embrace the BYOD trend, creating swaths of opportunity for the channel to create holistic and scalable mobile security policies and management services for their customers.
  • Insider: Cloud, Not Recession, Haunts Cisco (0)May 16, 2012Cisco is planning to roll out more cloud products, including its new Cloud Connect in June, to capitalize on this ever-expanding opportunity. However, its recently pessimistic outlook, says one insider, has more to do with cloud disruptions to its core networking business than global economics. It’s a rationale, noteworthy counterargument.
  • NetSuite Launches Commerce-as-a-Service (0)May 16, 2012NetSuite launches the commerce-as-a-service platform "NetSuite SuiteCommerce," enabling both retail and corporate sales outfits to enhance customer service and customer experiences through a fully integrated ERP/CRM solution.
  • Nvidia Brings GPU To The Cloud (0)May 16, 2012Nvidia launches the Nvidia VGX platform, a cloud-based GPU that can deliver real-time 3D rendering and highly responsive graphic applications to virtualized environments and the cloud. Cloud-based GPUs could turn thin clients into powerhouses and reshape what MSPs can provide their customers.
  • SSDs: A Hidden Channel Opportunity (0)May 15, 2012Solid state storage is a hidden opportunity in the channel, especially as SSD prices are set to drop inside 2012. Partners can reach out to old and new customers by offering huge performance gains from application severs to storage devices.
  • Microsoft Study Says Cloud Brings Security (0)May 15, 2012A new Microsoft study shows a correlation between cloud adoption and enhanced security measures. The channel has yet another opportunity to capitalize on the ever-expanding world of cloud services.
  • Intel’s New Xeons Spark Server Surge (0)May 14, 2012Intel launches three new series of Xeon CPUs designed to bring super-high performance computing to severs everywhere and provide powerful 'green' CPUs ideal for workstation environments.
  • Cloud EMRs Entice Healthcare Providers (0)May 14, 2012A study finds SaaS EMRs are increasingly attractive offerings for healthcare organizations because of their ease of use and cost-effectiveness. This opens opportunities for partners to expand practices in healthcare security arenas.
  • Amazon Welcomes SQL, .NET ISVs to AWS (0)May 11, 2012Amazon launches support for SQL Server and ASP .NET to Amazon Web Services, inviting a world of Windows developers to take advantage of Amazon's cloud capabilities.
  • Revisiting the Chasm, Again and Again (4)May 11, 2012For all the talk about market development, technology maturation and selling technology into verticals, too few solution providers truly understand this lifecycle or how to use it to their advantage. The starting point hasn’t changed in two decades: Pickup “Crossing the Chasm.”
  • McAfee Targets SMBs with Cloud Services (0)May 11, 2012McAfee is looking to bolster its midmarket fortunes with new products and services tailored specifically for the SMB market. Likewise, it’s offering channel partners new incentives and support for attacking and capturing more SMB opportunities.
  • Axcient Cancels Out Cloud Downtime (0)May 11, 2012Axcient's Cloud Continuity platform can instantly and seamless transfer an SMB to a cloud continuity server in the event of data center failure. Axcient's in-house backup technology is proving itself a key differentiator in the channel.
  • The HP Cloud Arrives For Open Beta (0)May 10, 2012HP finally unleashes the HP Cloud, a public beta of its cloud infrastructure platform to compete with the likes of Amazon and Rackspace. How will HP's public and open beta help build success for the budding cloud platform?
  • 6fusion Moves Closer To Hypervisor Agnosticism (0)May 10, 20126fusion introduces open-source Xen and Citrix Xen support to the UC6 cloud management platform, allowing IT admins and MSPs to mitigate the headaches associated with multiple hypervisor environments and obviate vendor lock-in.
  • How Wyse’s New Moves Benefit Dell (0)May 10, 2012Wyse's new thin client and MDM solutions will provide a considerable bump to Dell, giving it a new competitive edge in the virtualization and enterprise space. Will Dell ultimately compete at the same level as HP, IBM and Oracle?
  • Cisco Study: Companies Fear Cloud Migration (0)May 9, 2012A Cisco cloud migration study found that a significant number of IT decision-makers are stymied to overcome infrastructure hurdles when embarking on cloud migration projects, leaving a wide-open gap for the channel to address an anticipated slew of networking, security and configuration challenges.
  • Citrix Urges Rethinking of IT Assumptions (0)May 9, 2012Citrix believes a root cause of the problems in building, managing and securing cloud and mobile systems is solution providers and enterprises continue to apply conventional and dated assumptions about the IT operating environment. Citrix is encouraging partners and customers to do is change their thinking and assume everything is cloud and mobile.
  • Motorola Launches WLAN Cloud Service (0)May 9, 2012Motorola Solutions is looking to empower partners with new tools for optimizing and securing business wireless networks with a new cloud-based service. The service is intended to insure businesses increasingly dependent upon cloud and mobile device have quality wireless network connectivity.
  • Dell, Red Hat Build Open Source Workstations (0)May 8, 2012Dell and Red Hat team up to ship Red Hat Enterprise Linux on Dell Precision Workstations and PowerEdge hardware. But is Red Hat the real winner in this open source partnership?
  • F5 Networks Offers SPDY Application Delivery (0)May 8, 2012F5 Networks introduces the SPDY Gateway, an appliance designed to optimize the Web and Web-based applications via Google's SPDY protocol. F5 networks is also leveraging SPDY as an effective way to optimize Web apps for mobile use, and for browsers that don't natively support SPDY.
  • Unisys Unveils Security Suite, Partner Program (0)May 7, 2012Unisys is making a bit of an about face by bulking up its channel team that paves the way for launch of its new partner program and expansion of its customer base for the release of its new Stealth Solution security suite.
  • Skype Stunting Microsoft, Nokia Turnaround (7)May 7, 2012Nokia is blaming Microsoft’s ownership of Skype as the reason many carriers don’t want to carry the new Lumia smartphone powered by Windows Phone 7. There’s some truth to this excuse, but it’s more a reflection of what’s happening across the technology landscape in terms of allies becoming frienemies and competitors.
  • Zenith Infotech Barred from Selling Cloud Assets (0)May 7, 2012An India court issued an injunction against the cloud and backup company after determining a previously submitted assessment of its asset value is incomplete. The ruling comes amid speculation that Zenith Infotech was getting ready to shed more assets.
  • Rethinking Differentiation Among VARs (1)May 7, 2012The onset of new technologies is opening vast new opportunities for solution providers, managed service providers and systems integrators. The opportunity goes beyond just cloud computing. It's about building portfolios of services, products and values that provide a new level of differentiation from the conventional VAR of yesteryear.
  • Riverbed Offers Cost-Effective WAN Optimization (1)May 4, 2012Riverbed launches the Steelhead 150 as a cost-effective physical or virtual WAN optimization appliance for small branch offices and the SMB. Cloud service providers may start adopting more optimization appliances, especially amid Riverbed's vCloud Connector partnership with VMware.
  • Access One, Stratosphere Bridge Channel Divide (0)May 4, 2012Telecom provider Access One is teaming with solution provider Stratosphere, aligning their mutual capabilities to meet market demands for telephony and IT solutions. The partnership is a great example of how IT and telephony solution providers can cross the channel divide to amplify their market potential.
  • GFI Brings MSPs Managed Backup (0)May 4, 2012GFI MAX Managed Online Backup is designed to provide MSPs with a 'business-class' backup solution that is easy to deploy and manage. Dr. Alistair Forbes discusses GFI's channel focus.
  • Sprint Picks Zenprise for MDM Service (0)May 4, 2012Sprint’s selection of Zenprise MobileManager for its new mobile device management service offering reflects the growing need and demand for enterprise-class management and security of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. It’s another sign the channel needs to step up MDM adoption.
  • Cloud Services Can Eliminate IT Staff Risks (0)May 3, 2012The Wall Street Journal suggest big companies are scrutinizing IT staff to weed out would-be hackers and data thieves. But a simple fix is already available: By outsourcing IT to the channel, the threat of rogue IT admins can be eliminated.
  • VMware View 5.1 Ready For Mobile Workforce (0)May 3, 2012VMware View 5.1 arrives with new optimization features alongside the VMware Project Octopus Beta storage platform. With virtualization, cloud and storage capabilities under its belt, VMware readies itself for the mobile enterprise.
  • theCloud, ScaleXtreme Launch vCloud Partnership (0)May 3, 2012ScaleXtreme's cloud automation services joins up with theCloud's hosting services, signalling that collaborations between cloud companies may become more commonplace in the not-to-distant future.
  • ShoreTel Reorganizes Channel Leadership (0)May 2, 2012ShoreTel reorganizes its channel leadership as it looks to broaden its UC reach across the globe and accelerate the move to the cloud.
  • Google, Onix Finally Win Fed Cloud Contract (2)May 2, 2012After a protracted legal and competitive battle between Microsoft and Google over the future of the federal cloud, the Department of the Interior decided to convert its 88,000 users to Gmail rather than Office 365. The win opens the door for cloud newcomers to challenge incumbents for federal business.
  • Report: Trend Micro is Cloud Security ‘Leader’ (2)May 1, 2012Trend Micro is among those leading the charge in the global cloud security software market, according to TechNavio’s Global Cloud Security Software Market report.
  • Quest Software Boasts Robust Migration Services (0)May 1, 2012Quest Software announces itself as a leading provider of Microsoft Office 365 migration. Are Quest Software's moves indicative of a recent change from public to private company or a company moving to cloud services? Or both?
  • Axcient Shows What It Takes to Build a Business (0)May 1, 2012Cloud backup vendor Axcient expands management team with industry veterans. The additions are part of a master plan by founder Justin Moore for building a billion-dollar business. It’s a model that any channel business can – and should – follow.
  • Ingram Micro Cloud Summit: Focus On Services (0)May 1, 2012Ingram Micro launches their third annual Cloud Summit. This year, Ingram Micro will focus heavily on how cloud technologies can help MSPs build their services up and out.
  • Zenith Infotech Launches Low-Cost Private Cloud (1)April 30, 2012Embattled Zenith Infotech launches a new cloud infrastructure and backup service built on Intel and Microsoft technology that reportedly costs 70 percent less than comparable offerings. The new service is the result of a $38 million development project and comes as the company battles creditors over a $85 million debt default.
  • HP Slate 8: A Future Mobile Accessory (0)April 30, 2012The designs and specifications of the forthcoming Hewlett-Packard Slate 8 tablet powered by Windows 8 were leaked over the weekend. On the surface, this tablet looks impressive as a business and consumer device. It may also be a part of the next-generation of computing devices as accessories.
  • ePlus Expands into Video Managed Services (0)April 27, 2012ePlus Technology, an integration and services company, is expanding its portfolio to include video managed services for collaboration and conferencing. It’s a good example of a solution provider filling the skills gaps in the marketplace.
  • Why Jabber Is All About Mobile Enterprise (0)April 27, 2012Cisco's ambitions with Jabber may be to build a de-facto UC platform for the upcoming wave of mobile devices in the enterprise.
  • IBM’s Big Appetite For Big Data (0)April 27, 2012IBM is buying up all the big data technology it can in an effort to become an arbiter of all things big data.
  • OS33 Introduces MSP Cloud Initiative (0)April 26, 2012In an effort to bring more MSPs into the cloud services fold, OS33 has opened up the ability for "Master MSPs" to resell services and infrastructure to smaller MSPs, in an effort to generate additional revenue and expand the reach of cloud services.
  • OKI Data Expands Total Managed Print to Canada (0)April 26, 2012OKI Data expands its cloud-based managed print services offering, Total Managed Print portal, into the Canadian marketplace. As managed print grows in the cloud, will it become part of larger cloud stacks?
  • NetSuite Touts Growing Midmarket Channel (0)April 26, 2012The cloud-based ERP market leader announced the addition of four major midmarket solution providers to its channel program, reflecting the growing market demand for cloud resources. It may really be an indication of the market’s desire for cloud options.
  • Google Drive Is Really About Entanglement (0)April 26, 2012The arrival of Google Drive has the IT world comparing and contrasting cloud storage offerings. But Google Drive isn't about cloud data, it's about encouraging user entanglement.
  • CloudOpen Event Spreads Open-Source Gospel (1)April 25, 2012The open-source gospel will be read at the inaugural CloudOpen event. Spun on by The Linux Foundation, CloudOpen will exist as a "parallel" conference alongside LinuxCon, in order to best spread the good news of open source.
  • Avnet Boosts IBM Partners With New Services (0)April 24, 2012Avnet puts IBM partners on the fast track for deploying automation tools, social networking cloud platforms and new health care management portals, all thanks to the acquisition of Ascendant Technology.
  • QlikTech Partners Build On Business Intelligence (0)April 23, 2012QlikTech brings business intelligence to the market with QlikView, uniquely offered through specialized software integration with OEM channel partners.
  • CA ARCserve Hits Amazon Marketplace (0)April 23, 2012CA Technologies brings CA ARCserve Backup and D2D solutions to Amazon's Web Services marketplace.
  • ‘Managed Services’ Has Different Cloud Meaning (1)April 23, 2012IT vendors and cloud service providers are talking up managed services as their preferred partnership model going forward in the cloud. This may sound like good news to the legions of MSPs in the channel. Trouble is, they’re not talking about that kind of managed services.
  • SAP Recruiting Partners To Expand Reach (0)April 23, 2012SAP is focused heavily on expanding its partner program into key areas like mobility and data analytics as it looks to decrease direct sales involvement and expand market reach.
  • Earnings Quick Look: IBM, Intel and Microsoft (0)April 20, 2012IBM, Intel and Microsoft post their quarterly earnings. What can we glean from the facts and figures and where are these companies headed?
  • Microsoft Extending Windows Intune’s Tentacles (0)April 20, 2012At this week’s Microsoft Management Summit, the software company announced the next version of Windows Intune will include mobile device management capabilities including support for rival Android and Apple tablets and smartphones. Is this surrender or strategic genius?
  • The 21st Century Malware Malady (1)April 20, 2012The ever-evolving threats of the 21st century require us to change the way we look at security. The channel has the potential to keep the entire world on lock down.
  • Amazon Doubles Down In The Cloud With APN (0)April 20, 2012Amazon's new Partner Network Beta and Amazon Web Services Marketplace puts Amazon in the position to reach into the cloud marketplace using a two-pronged attack, both direct and with partners.
  • Cisco Exploring Brokering Intra-Channel Teams (0)April 19, 2012Cloud service providers are looking to extend their sales reach through resellers. The problem: Resellers have trust issues. Cisco, the common party between the two sides, is looking to play the role of peacemaker by brokering trusted relationships.
  • CA Brings All Partners under Unified Program (0)April 18, 2012CA Technologies, a vendor undergoing a channel renaissance through its expanding cloud portfolio, is bringing its diverse network of partners under a single global program to better distribute development resources and ensure consistency in channel operations.
  • TCI Building Network to Complement Porfolio (0)April 17, 2012Technology Capital Investors is augmenting its portfolio of managed services and integrators with a network of complementary service providers across the country. The collaborative partner network could form a farm league of potential acquisitions for the private equity firm.
  • Is A Condensed Cloud the End of Backup? (0)April 17, 2012Storage and backup has become so incredibly ubiquitous, it may be time to ask a particularly prickly question: has the expansion of backup solutions reached a critical mass? It's not unlikely that a massive resizing of available solutions may happen in the very near future.
  • DataMotion Launches Compliance-Ready PaaS (0)April 16, 2012DataMotion's new PaaS offering brings pay-as-you-go compliance to a wide range of data center systems. Will compliance needs soon become de facto check-box features?
  • Citrix Acquisition Of Podio Signals SaaS Shift (0)April 16, 2012Citrix's acquisition of Podio may signal a larger shift in the SaaS productivity world. Will the SaaS market start competing on levels of integration and differentiation?
  • The OpenStack Foundation Is Formed (0)April 13, 2012The OpenStack Foundation is formed as major industry vendors sign on to help spur the adoption and development of one of the major open-source cloud infrastructure platforms.
  • VCE, vBlock Future in Question (11)April 13, 2012EMC and its manufacturing partners made a big deal of the launch of VSPEX, the new virtualization reference framework that allows for customized deployments. The launch does have many forecasting the future of not just vBlock, but the VCE joint venture designed to support the virtualized data center in a box.
  • Gartner: iPad Still King in 2016 (0)April 13, 2012A recent Gartner projection places Apple's iPad as the leading tablet well into 2016. But what does that say about other tablet contenders?
  • EMC Intends VSPEX for Data Center Flexibility (1)April 12, 2012Unlike its existing vBlock fixed virtualization solutions, EMC says VSPEX – designed and delivered entirely by the channel – will give partners and customers the option of building virtualization solutions that meet their specific infrastructure and optional needs.
  • Synnex Pads CLOUDSolv With SoftLayer (0)April 12, 2012Synnex and SoftLayer team up to bring SoftLayer's instant-on cloud technology for VARs looking to provision their own clouds, without investing in the infrastructure.
  • Microsoft Realigns Cloud Certifications (0)April 11, 2012Microsoft launches three new of cloud certifications designed to focus on "real-world" solutions for the cloud. Microsoft believes they can spur smarter and more advanced cloud adoption.
  • Cisco, NetApp Expand FlexPod to Midmarket (0)April 11, 2012Cisco and NetApp are making their storage and data center FlexPod virtualization solutions available to companies with 100 to 500 users. The move comes on the eve of EMC’s expansion of its virtualization framework, signally increased competition on all levels in the data center.
  • IBM Introduces PureSystems Family (0)April 11, 2012IBM launches the PureSystems Family, converging virtualization, cloud services, storage and networking into one unit. IBM's Mark Hennessy discusses the new systems and channel implications.
  • 1/3 of IT Budgets Spent on Cloud Computing (0)April 11, 2012A new IDG report finds businesses are spending one-third of their IT budgets on cloud computing, mostly in storage and private cloud solutions. While cloud adoption is accelerating, solution providers still report trouble finding their way to the clouds.
  • HP Offers Converged Cloud For Enterprise (0)April 11, 2012HP launches a huge conglomerated portfolio of managed cloud services dubbed HP Converged Cloud. It's aimed specifically at growing enterprise businesses, but will the channel come out and play?
  • Google’s Cloud Empire Could Unite Everything (0)April 10, 2012Could a hypothetical Google Unified reshape the relationship consumers, channel partners and vendors have with each other? Will cloud service integrators supplant traditional VARs and MSPs?
  • Open Data Center Alliance Simplifies the Cloud (0)April 9, 2012The Open Data Center Alliance offers guidelines and tools for the long-term development of cloud technology, focusing on security, scalability, identity management and more. But can the ODCA pull it off?
  • CA Brings Backup to Ingram Micro Cloud (0)April 6, 2012CA Technologies brings MSP licensing models and ARCserve D2D On Demand to the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace. Will distribution companies become arbiters of all cloud services?
  • Google Taps MSPexcellence for Enablement  (0)April 5, 2012Google Apps partners with MSPexcellence for the Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) program, designed to help Google Apps resellers and MSPs become CPSs, with Google Apps driving the heart of business revenue.
  • A Word about M&A in the Channel (1)April 5, 2012Nary a day goes by when a headline doesn’t pop up of some solution provider buying a peer or a vendor buying another vendor – and there’s no signs of the deals abating. Since the beginning of the year, more than $10 billion has been spent on M&A activity. But not all M&A deals are…
  • Google Drive to Disrupt Box.net, Dropbox (2)April 5, 2012With the advent of Google Drive around the corner, what will happen to the paradigm of the cloud-based data world if Google undercuts the entire cloud storage market with free solutions?
  • Cisco, EMC Double-Down on Cloud Education (0)April 4, 2012Cisco and EMC team up to educate the IT world about building out the cloud. Can individual training help spur continued cloud growth?
  • Citrix CloudStack Floats Into Apache Territory (0)April 4, 2012Citrix looks to bring CloudStack to the Apache Software Foundation, making it a certified and open-source platform. Can CloudStack gain the same level of success and momentum as Hadoop before it?
  • 6fusion Continues To Fuse Cloud With Channel (0)April 3, 20126fusion looks to capture a larger segment of the enterprise with a new VAR-centric cloud program, in addition to a new MSP program designed to streamline MSP implementation of public and hybrid IaaS services.
  • N-able N-sists N-central 8.2 Is Best Yet (0)April 3, 2012N-Able launches N-central 8.2, promising simple and enhanced functionality, plus new backup and remote management capabilities. N-able is calling 8.2 a "partner-lead" release, but does it deliver?
  • Best Buy’s Geek Squad Evolving into Integrator (2)April 3, 2012Revel Systems is leaning on Best Buy’s Geek Squad to install its mobile point-of-sales systems in restaurants across the U.S. The partnership, along with Geek Squad’s new channel program, shows how the services arm is evolving into an integrator and contract services company. It’s another clue as to where Best Buy is going, too.
  • OS33 Looks to Unify Cloud Management (0)April 3, 2012OS33 introduces a new "Webtop" unified portal for the consumption, reporting and billing of multi-vendor cloud solutions, making it easier for MSPs to manage their customers' resources while handling the onslaught of SaaS.
  • Dell+Wyse Focus on End-To-End Solutions (0)April 2, 2012Dell acquires Wyse as it looks to capture the growing demand for thin clients and cloud computing, but can Dell's desire for end-to-end infrastructure solutions capture the real cloud opportunity?
  • 3 Meetings Too Long to Explain Cloud (1)April 2, 2012Cloud computing is everywhere. Unfortunately, the marketing and hype isn’t translating to understanding in the market. New research shows it takes service providers three meetings to explain cloud computing to customers – a process that takes weeks and delays sales.
  • Dell Buying Thin-Client Vendor Wyse Technology (0)April 2, 2012Dell will announce later this morning its intent to buy Wyse Technology, a leader in thin-client software and hardware solutions. The deal is another in a string of strategic acquisitions transforming Dell into an enterprise portfolio IT supplier.
  • Cloud Gaining Ground In SMB: Study (0)March 30, 2012A Microsoft study indicates cloud business will continue to gain traction in SMBs over the next five years, suggesting channel partners and cloud providers could have opportunities to expand their practice into lower market segments.
  • CenturyLink Consolidates Channel Programs (0)March 30, 2012Telecom provider CenturyLink is reshaping its channel programs for growth and a better reflection of operational reorganization just shy of the one-year mark of its acquisitions of Qwest Communications and Savvis.
  • Red Hat Revenue Soars With Cloud Push (0)March 29, 2012Red Hat is reaping the benefits of record sales revenues for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year, driven in part by rising demand for cloud and open-source architectures.
  • Dell Unveils New Cloud Certification (0)March 29, 2012Dell is giving its service providers the opportunity to expand their own practices and leverage customer trust with its new Cloud Services and Solutions Certification, which enables partners to combine their services with Dell's technology.
  • 10 Surprising Cloud Channel Stats (1)March 29, 2012The Cloud & Technology Transformation Alliance’s annual State of the Channel Cloud report has some startling data about the rate of cloud adoption among solution providers and where the channel is going next. Here are 10 surprising cloud channel stats from this research.
  • Box Launch Addresses Mobile Collaboration (0)March 28, 2012Box's OneCloud launch could give channel partners a way to enhance their mobile management portfolio with a slew of iOS apps dedicated to secure cloud collaboration on the iPhone and iPad.
  • Cloud Channel Poised for Rapid Expansion (1)March 28, 2012The Cloud & Technology Transformation Alliance (CTTA) released the results of its second annual State of the Cloud Channel study, finding that IT solution providers and telephony agents continue to slowly build cloud computing practices and are poised for rapid growth over the next 12 months.
  • Study: Telecom-Channel Partnerships Profitable (0)March 27, 2012The telecom world is increasingly relying on channel partnerships to stay competitive, acquire new customers and create new revenue streams, driven in part by the emergence of cloud computing and a greater demand for services.
  • HotLink Recruiting Virtualization VARs (0)March 22, 2012Seven months after its official launch, virtual platform provider HotLink is looking to recruit channel partners with a new program featuring incentives and training for VARs that can deliver tiered virtualization solutions to VMware customers.
  • Zenith Infotech Begins Selling Telepresence (0)March 21, 2012Zenith Infotech has said it shed its managed services business to focus on cloud and backup services. However, it’s quietly started selling the video conferencing and telepresence products of its sister company, Vu Technologies. The cross-selling comes as the company is fighting to stave off liquidation in an India court battle.
  • Riverbed Floats More Resources to Partners (0)March 20, 2012Riverbed Technology is optimizing its channel program by focusing on specialties around its core products, more partner enablement resources and a holistic view of the market. What it’s aiming at is a $10 billion opportunity that's contingent on satisfying business value.
  • Office 365 Price Cuts a Cloud Harbinger (0)March 19, 2012Solution providers reacted with surprise last week when Microsoft lowered the price of Office 365 by 20 percent as a means to lure more businesses to the cloud-based application suite. The initial price cut isn’t as bad as what it signifies for the future cloud in the channel.
  • CA, ScaleMatrix Team Up on Backup (0)March 19, 2012Just about a month after introducing its first channel partner program, cloud hosting provider ScaleMatrix has signed a deal with CA Technologies aimed at expanding backup offerings for service providers.
  • Axcient Accentuates Image to Reflect Ambition (0)March 16, 2012Axcient, a backup and recovery service provider, is a small, young company with high ambitious. It just completed a 10-city roadshow with Hewlett-Packard, attracting hundreds of would-be partners across the country. But a more significant sign of its ambition is a big billboard on a California highway. It’s a sign of where Axcient is going.
  • M5 Adds Biz Intelligence to Hosted VoIP (0)March 16, 2012Hosted unified communications provider M5 Networks is partnering with InsightSquared to deliver a new SMB-focused analytics solution aimed at making it easier for partners to manage and utilize data. It’s another notch in a growing solutions and partner portfolio for M5.
  • Panda Security on Partner Recruitment Drive (0)March 15, 2012Panda Security is touting “simplicity, power and control” tools, as well as new partnerships with the likes of Microsoft, to attract channel partners as it builds market momentum in a competitive year for security software dollars.
  • Channel Cloud Development, Maturation Lagging (0)March 14, 2012Cloud computing in the channel is lagging behind the greater IT market. While IT vendors and enterprises continue to develop new cloud products and services at a blistering pace, solution providers and telephony agents are slow to pick up on cloud opportunities.
  • HP Building Mega Cloud Service to Rival Amazon (0)March 12, 2012Hewlett-Packard will launch a new cloud service that melds the qualities of platform-, infrastructure- and software-as-a-service into a single offering to rival market-leader Amazon Web Services and lock out would-be contenders IBM and Oracle.
  • iPad HD Bad News for Business Networks (0)March 9, 2012The big selling point of the new Apple iPad is its high-resolution screen. The bandwidth required to support its video and display improvements could crush many corporate network’s bandwidth. That’s the downside. The upside: Businesses need to upgrade their networks anyway.
  • Siemens Offers OpenScape UC as a Service (0)March 9, 2012In a deal with Ingram Micro Services, Siemens Communications will start offering its OpenScape unified communications platform as a service to be resold through the channel. The service offering aims to tap into the growing demand for hosted VoIP, communications and collaboration services.
  • iPad’s Origins Weren’t With Apple (1)March 8, 2012Apple chief Tim Cook says the new iPad is redefining the tablet category created by the iconic brand. Truth be told, Apple wasn’t the first IT company to field tablet with a touchscreen interface, nor was Apple first with the concept of a wireless tablet. Those honors go to two other companies who had these…
  • SAP Brings Practical Business Apps to the Cloud (0)March 8, 2012Business software and analytics powerhouse SAP is pushing more practical business applications to the cloud design to increase the productivity of mobile sales and logistics professionals. The new offerings show how business applications are migrating to the cloud.
  • EarthLink Evolves Cloud Workspace Services (0)March 7, 2012The addition of independenceIT’s cloud workspace to Earthlink’s IT Services is another nod in favor of the transition away from traditional IT to the cloud. For Earthlink channel partners, the deal means new cloud SMB desktop services.
  • Sage Pricing Changes Concern Partners (2)March 7, 2012The ERP and CRM software vendor is changing its licensing scheme to user-based pricing and giving customers the option to pay on a recurring monthly plan. Sage says this will increase partner yields, while solution providers see it eating into their profitability. The conflict is a reflection of the cloud transition challenges facing the channel.
  • Cloud Sherpas Makes Monster Merger (0)March 6, 2012The Google premier reseller has nabbed $20 million in fresh funding and is merging with GlobalOne, a Saleforce.com platinum business consulting firm. The new firm will have extended capabilities and global reach in cloud professional and application services. This could be the blueprint for the solution provider of the future.
  • NetEnrich Focuses on Mid-market Opportunities (0)March 6, 2012Seeing capacity and capabilities gaps in the mid-market segment of the channel and end-user markets, NetEnrich crafted a new Mission Critical Operations package that provides infrastructure, applications and professional services as a remotely delivered and managed service.
  • Google Partners Evolve to Carve Cloud Territory (0)March 6, 2012A variety of strengthened channel partnerships is adding competitive market muscle to the already partner-popular and expanding cloud world of Google Apps. CloudLock is one of the most recent, with expanded features to its cloud-based security software built specifically for Google Apps.
  • VMware Rounds Up Cloud Security Partners (0)March 5, 2012VMware continues to expand its arsenal of vendor partnerships. This round focuses on integrated security and compliance solutions aimed at delivering secure infrastructures for the cloud to a variety of solutions providers to help spur adoption.
  • Diskeeper Resets under Condusiv Brand (0)March 5, 2012New CEO Jerry Baldwin is changing the name of his company from Diskeeper to Condusiv Technologies, a branding that better reflects the company’s future direction in virtualization optimization and endpoint performance management. It’s a bold move for a company with a rich legacy.
  • Google Leads Service Providers in Cloud (0)March 2, 2012In the Cloud & Technology Transformation Alliance’s State of the Cloud Channel report, Google leads the pack of hosting companies, carriers and service providers as best to partner with. Others ranking high in partnership ratings include Rackspace, CenturyLink and AT&T.
  • Axcient Gears Up for Channel Expansion (0)February 29, 2012With a revamped partner program and an alliance with Hewlett-Packard, cloud backup specialist Axcient is looking to expand its channel beyond a core managed service provider base and attract larger, more traditional VARs to its ranks.
  • IBM Partners in a Cloud State of Mind (0)February 29, 2012IBM has a lot to talk about this week, and much of it relates to Big Blue’s promise of cloud computing. Partnerships with interesting results, more focused partner resources and targeted incentives expand and better organize IBM’s increasingly comprehensive cloud infrastructure.
  • Study: On-Premise IT Targeted More Than Cloud (0)February 27, 2012A new study conducted by managed security service provider Alert Logic finds cloud environments attract a fair amount of hacker activity and security threats, but not at the same level or frequency as on-premise environments. The conclusion: Cloud security concerns may be misplaced.
  • Creditors Want Zenith Infotech to Liquidate (0)February 27, 2012Bondholders suing Zenith Infotech want the cloud and backup company liquidated to pay off nearly $85 million in defaulted debt payments. The India-based company, with its substantial U.S. partner network, maintains that it wants to renegotiate the debt.
  • Continuum Hits the Road, Inks Deal with LogMeIn (0)February 24, 2012Continuum is charting a clearer market path this week via an exclusive deal with LogMeIn, and in-person partner meetings offering introductory trials on existing solutions and a sneak peak at what’s next.
  • Zscaler Takes Web Security to the Cloud (2)February 22, 2012Looking to challenge conventional secure Web gateways and Web-filtering vendors, Zscaler unveiled a new channel program built around the delivery of Web content security via the cloud. The intent is making Zscaler and its partner ecosystem the equivalent of Salesforce.com in cloud security providers.
  • Top 5 Distributors for Cloud Enablement (0)February 21, 2012Solution providers give Ingram Micro top marks in cloud partnerships among distributors by a wide margin. However, the distribution preference reveals a big gap in distribution cloud cover.
  • GreenPages Leads CA’s Cloud Partner Pack (0)February 17, 2012CA’s newest cloud “accelerator” solution holds infrastructure-as-a-service opportunities for solution providers. GreenPages Technology Solutions is CA’s first U.S. partner out of the gate with it.
  • HP Can Declare ‘Mission Accomplished’ (0)February 16, 2012Hewlett-Packard figuratively limped into Las Vegas for its Global Partner Conference, still suffering from the hangover of the 2011 management debacle. CEO Meg Whitman, her management team and a raft of new products and channel initiatives have lifted the dark cloud hanging over the vaunted vendor.
  • Parallels Targets Burgeoning SMB Cloud (0)February 16, 2012Parallels unleashed a string of new software, services capabilities and technology partnerships this week with the aim of enabling service providers with ammunition to capture a growing $2.4 billion SMB cloud opportunity.
  • VMware: The Intersection of the Channel (0)February 14, 2012At the VMware Partner Exchange in Las Vegas, vendors across all technology segments are craning to showcase how their hardware and software support or enhance VMware’s virtualization tools. The goal is acceleration and expansion of channel programs and penetration of existing accounts.
  • Microsoft Leads Vendors in Cloud Partnership (0)February 14, 2012In new exclusive research by the Cloud & Technology Transformation Alliance, Microsoft leads the pack of IT vendors when it comes to forming productive partnerships in cloud computing with solution providers.
  • HP Making Big Moves to Penetrate Clouds (0)February 13, 2012At its Global Partner Conference, Hewlett-Packard is unveiling a host of new programs and initiatives designed to stimulate cloud product and service adoption. Referral incentives between resellers and service providers is a bold move to accelerate cloud adoption; and it has a real chance of succeeding.
  • FBI Stands Solid on Cloud Security Standard (1)February 10, 2012In the wake of the Los Angeles Police Department’s aborted adoption of Google Apps, the FBI has issued a clear clarification on the cloud service security requirements of all law enforcement agencies. The standard will make it hard for solution providers to sell cloud to law enforcement.
  • Resellers See IDM as Security Woes Solution (2)February 6, 2012As security breaches and the cost of data compromises reach new highs, solution providers are looking for new technologies to counter security risks. According to a SafeNet survey, that solution may be identity management and authentication.
  • Xerox Unveils IaaS, Backup SMB Cloud Services (0)February 3, 2012Move over copiers. Standby printers. Xerox is getting into the SMB cloud in a big way by offering infrastructure and data backup services through channel partners. The new offering is a significant step in the company’s effort to diversify from its document management legacy.
  • January Channel Sales Explode (0)February 2, 2012While hard to quantify, reports are streaming into Channelnomics from solution providers experiencing unusually high sales and request for quotes in what’s normally a low period of the year. The sudden surge is a good omen for 2012.
  • ShoreTel Expands Hosted UC with M5 Deal (1)February 2, 2012ShoreTel’s acquisition of hosted UC solution provider M5 gives partners a new choice between on-premise or cloud-based solutions. And its expansion to the cloud continues a growth streak that's turning heads in a red-hot hosted VoIP market.
  • Cloud Heating Up Security Competition (1)January 30, 2012McAfee is emphatically denying rival Symantec’s claims of winning over several large enterprise customers in the last quarter. The truth is that security vendors and their partners are constantly trading customers in a tit-for-tat competitive game that's only getting more intense as the battleground shifts to the cloud.
  • 6Fusion Exemplifies Benefits for Cloud Metering (0)January 26, 2012Cost savings and efficiency are qualities commonly attributed to cloud computing. 6Fusion’s new UC6 Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) federation platform demonstrates these benefits are near-impossible without the ability to meter cloud utilization and performance.
  • Move over MS Word, Cloud Apps are Charging (1)January 25, 2012Smartsheets, a cloud-based spreadsheet vendor, and IBM with its new Docs word processor are challenging Microsoft in office productivity software. There’s more to these challenges than meets the eye, and the volume of competitive launches to MS Office is signaling a potential sea change in the market.
  • Avnet Helping VARs Reach the Data Center (0)January 24, 2012Avnet’s new SolutionsPath Engagement Services is a business planning and execution program designed to augment solution providers’ capabilities and resources in developing, selling and supporting cloud and data center services.
  • IT Buyers No Longer Looking at Tech in Isolation (0)January 23, 2012Business analytics is the technology most on the minds of CIOs recently surveyed by Gartner. Along with mobility, cloud and social business, the survey reveals a shift in IT organizations newly focused on combining these forces to change the way a business interacts externally.
  • Webroot Exiting Email Security, Archiving (8)January 19, 2012Webroot is getting out of the email security and archiving business, telling partners it will now focus on providing endpoint anti-malware software. The move is jarring to some partners who are coping with the shift in providers and places them in the stream of the already crowded endpoint security market.
  • Google, Partner Win Another Big State Contract (0)January 18, 2012Utah is the latest state to adopt cloud-based email and collaboration, and the choice of Google Apps for Government through partner Tempus Nova is a reversal from a string of setbacks suffered by the service. Google and its partners are showing they can compete and win government deals against the likes of Microsoft and IBM.
  • Report: SaaS Vendors Need Local Partners (4)January 13, 2012Global Industry Analysts reports businesses are rapidly increasing investments in Web-based applications, and the market will hit $26 billion by 2015. Multinationals are aligning directly with vendors, where SMBs are working with local partners. That means the cloud must go through the channel.
  • Reach for the Cloud, Get a Kindle Fire (0)January 12, 2012The Cloud & Technology Transformation Alliance – a project of The 2112 Group and Channel Partners magazine – is looking to gauge the state of cloud computing in the channel. Our research is coming to a close, but there’s still time to take our survey and earn a chance to win a Kindle Fire.
  • BT, Microsoft Launch Hosted Lync Pilot (0)January 9, 2012Microsoft’s partnership with British Telecom to offer Lync Voice to BT’s U.S. customers as a hosted cloud service is being view by industry watchers as yet another sign that unified communications, and managed cloud services, are attracting the attention of small to mid-sized businesses.
  • Acer, Lenovo Launching Cloud Synch Services (1)January 9, 2012Looking to meet the growing demand for greater access to data from multiple and mobile devices, Acer and Lenovo are launching versions of their own cloud-based file synchronization services. These services are fast becoming as essential to computing devices as hard drives once were.
  • Oracle Building Channel Empire on HP Talent (0)January 6, 2012Tom LaRocca is the latest high-profile Hewlett-Packard channel executive to defect to Oracle. It’s a significant loss, but may speak more about Oracle’s long-term market and channel ambitions. The lawsuits should start any minute.
  • Channelnomics 2011 Influencers Awards: Part 3 (1)January 5, 2012The influencer awards continue to roll out with winners today in Systems, Security, Managed Services and Cloud Computing. Winners in these categories are doing more than just influencing the channel, but the industry as a whole, making this installment significant in the march to the unveiling of the Influencer of the Year.
  • Channelnomics 2011 Influencers Awards: Part 2 (9)January 4, 2012Channelnomics continues conferring its inaugural 2011 Influencers of the Year awards by unveiling winners in four categories: Distribution, Europe, Voice/Data Networking and Channel Business.
  • MSP M&A Surge Driven by Taxes, Not Market (1)January 4, 2012Several managed services mergers and acquisitions have heralded in the new year, perhaps signaling a surge in deals and buyouts. The reality is these deals were signed in December and are part of an annual rite of cashing out and buying up before the end of the tax year.
  • GoDaddy, SOPA and the Cloud Portability Need (1)December 27, 2011The domain registrar withdrew support for the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), but not before thousands of accounts canceled. Customers say GoDaddy is making it hard for them to change providers. The episode is an example of the need and value of portability in cloud computing.
  • How Does the Cloud Impact the Channel? (1)December 21, 2011The Cloud & Technology Transformation Alliance wants to know how the cloud is changing the channel and solution provider business models. Our first “State of the Cloud Channel” study will reveal cloud adoption trends, impact on business models and revenue expectations.
  • 2112, Channel Partners Expand Cloud Program (1)December 20, 2011The newly rebranded Cloud & Technology Transformation Alliance will study the evolution of cloud computing, mobility and other emerging technologies in the channel to provide strategic guidance on developing sound, profitable business partnerships and practices.
  • FishNet Buys IDM Specialist Logic Trends (0)December 20, 2011Leading security integrator FishNet Security is buying into the identity management market in a big way through the acquisition of Logic Trends. The combined company will extend FishNet’s security product and services capabilities and propel it past the $500 million mark.
  • Google’s LA Story: A Folly for Cloud Computing (0)December 19, 2011The city of Los Angeles is getting a bargain in its adoption of Google Apps, after Google and CSC agreed to reduce rates and pay for legacy systems to ensure compliance with federal regulations. The experience shows the need for due diligence in cloud adoption and how compliance can derail even the best-intended systems.
  • In 2012: Cloud No Longer Optional for Software (0)December 16, 2011Progress Software is forecasting demand for business process improvement next year via “cloud, collaboration and control.” Digging a little deeper, the enterprise software provider singles out hosting, integration, efficiency, collaboration, mobility and security as solutions expected to be most in demand as cloud-based organizational adoption shifts from trial runs to deployment.
  • New Cloud Cert Reflects Growing Need (1)December 14, 2011CompTIA has launched new certification to test and credential IT professionals' cloud computing awareness of business and technical issues. The certification reflects the growing need for cloud-savvy practitioners at solution providers and end-user organizations.
  • Cisco Enters Managed Services with OnPlus (0)December 13, 2011Cisco calls its OnPlus an enhancing program that gives managed services a greater ability to manage network infrastructure. The reality is that OnPlus is Cisco’s foray into the remote monitoring and management segment, potentially competing against longtime alliance partners.
  • Zenith RMM No More; Now ‘Continuum’ (0)December 12, 2011The managed services company formerly known as Zenith RMM is doing more than establishing an identity fully separate from its t, Zenith Infotech; it’s also going into competition with its former parent through a partnership with Datto.
  • Survey: Businesses Need Better Staff Controls (1)December 12, 2011A survey of a surprisingly candid group of 300 IT professionals reveals an urgent enterprise need for solutions providers to help manage IT folks who can’t seem to control their curiosity.
  • Intermedia Milestone Reflects Cloud Migration (0)December 9, 2011Weather service Earth Networks opened the 400,000th email account through Intermedia, the world’s largest Microsoft Exchange hosting provider. The continued growth of this partner- and cloud-enabler reflects the continued migration from on-premise to cloud email, as well as the value of add-on services.
  • CA Goes Consumption-Based Pricing for Backup (1)December 8, 2011Looking to tap into the growing demand for data backup delivered by managed service providers, CA Technologies has launched a capacity-based pricing system that makes adoption by providers more economical. The general “pay-as-you-go” trend reflects true partnership in the services era.
  • Google Piloting Chromebooks Channel Sales (0)December 7, 2011Nearly six months after launching Chromebook through retail channels, Google business partners are getting a crack as selling the subscription-based devices through a pilot program. Already some solution providers are touting their ability to integrate Chromebooks with existing infrastructure.
  • Creditors: Zenith Infotech Avoiding Bond Payment (1)December 7, 2011Legal arguments are underway in India over Zenith Infotech’s default on a $33 million bond payment. In court this week, creditors charged the cloud and backup vendor is purposely avoiding paying its debts, and alleged fraud in its handling of proceeds from the sale of its managed services division.
  • Gartner’s IT Predictions Hold Channel Promise (1)December 2, 2011It’s December, so it’s time for the prognosticators at Gartner to publish their annual list of things-to-come in IT. This year’s forecast is heavy in predictions for cloud computing, mobility, security and managed services. While some of the list may seem daunting, it’s full of great possibilities for the channel.
  • Level Platforms Release Reflects RMM Evolution (3)December 2, 2011Level Platforms earlier this week announced the release of Managed Workplace 2011 R3, which includes new features for managing printers and power management systems. Much has been made of the managed print options, but is the real story the evolution of RMM to business control panels?
  • Retainer vs. Subscription: How to Charge? (4)December 1, 2011In managed and cloud services, providers charge customers recurring fees in exchange for ongoing service delivery. Some companies call it a subscription. Some think this should be called a retainer to reflect the professional nature of the service. Which is best?
  • An End to Email as We Know It (1)December 1, 2011Alternative tools such as social media, instant messaging and Web collaboration are putting pressure on email. The day may come when business email is a thing of the past. One big tech company has already implemented a "zero email" policy.
  • Salesforce: Shared Risk, Trust are Cloud Drivers (1)November 30, 2011Salesforce.com is pushing more cloud services, development resources and mobile applications through the channel. Its model is one in which trust is paramount and shared risk is the path to profitability.
  • RIM Offers to Manage iOS, Android Devices (0)November 29, 2011Research in Motion, the company behind BlackBerry, is expected to launch its Mobile Fusion platform that will extend management to iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. The new product is designed to stem customer defections. It’s also a sign of the increasing need for broad mobile device management.
  • Zenith Infotech Posts Loss, Revealing Earnings (0)November 22, 2011Besieged Zenith Infotech posted its first quarterly earnings report since defaulting on its huge bond payment in September. The report reveals more than just a quarterly loss, but some of the reason behind its financial troubles and, perhaps, what it earned from the sale of its managed services business.
  • Nimsoft: MSPs Morphing from Chore to Core (0)November 18, 2011Cloud computing is disrupting staid IT operations and changing customer expectations for the delivery of greater value. Nimsoft CEO Chris O’Malley believes the future of managed services isn’t in ‘chore’ break/fix services, but rather ‘core’ services that deliver greater business functionality and benefits.
  • IBM, CA on a Cloud Collision Course (0)November 16, 2011The major vendors are reaching for the clouds, but perhaps no two are on a more spectacular collision course than IBM and CA Technologies. And where this clash of the titans will happen is most likely in the channel as each vies for the same type of partners to take their offerings to market.
  • CA Evolving IDM to Managed Services (1)November 15, 2011CA Technologies unveiled two new cloud-based identity management products that will allow enterprises to better manage access hosted and on-premise resources. Eventually, these products will be made available to managed service providers, potentially breaking the enterprise IDM barrier.
  • Zenith Infotech Won’t Sell More Assets (0)November 15, 2011At a court hearing yesterday, Zenith Infotech pledges not to sell its cloud computing or other assets while it appeals an order to disclose details of the sale of its managed services business.
  • CA CEO: Now’s the Time to Change the Rules (0)November 14, 2011CA Technologies kicked off its annual CA World conference in Las Vegas with CEO Bill McCracken setting the tone of increasing speed to market and enabling faster business transformation in the cloud computing era.
  • Former U.S. CIO: Cloud Will Disrupt Pro Services (0)November 14, 2011Speaking at CA World, Vivek Kundra told the audience of 5,000 solution providers and end users that the cloud will be so disruptive to the procurement and delivery of technology that it will erode professional services opportunities.
  • Zenith Infotech Appeals Disclosure Order (0)November 11, 2011Reports out of India indicate Summit Partners is willing to disclose the terms of its acquisition that lead to the formation of Zenith RMM. However, Zenith Infotech is appealing a court order to disclose the sale of its managed services assets, hoping to keep the details confidential as it tries restructuring its debt.
  • The Gravity of ConnectWise IT Nation (2)November 9, 2011A sold-out crowd is gathered in Florida for the seventh annual ConnectWise IT Nation. What started out as a user group event has evolved into a center of gravity in the channel and managed services community, as evidenced by the number of attendees and significant announcements.
  • CharTec Supports Backup to Legacy Boxes (1)November 9, 2011End users have invested money in legacy backup and disaster recovery servers that they don’t want to sacrifice even when presented with a cost-saving service. CharTec is providing a solution for those customers by decoupling its BDR software while still selling it as a service.
  • Bradford Networks Introduces Cloud-Based NAC (0)November 7, 2011Bradford Networks may not be a household name in the channel, but it’s planning to make its presence known with a new cloud-based network access control (NAC) solution that makes the administration of what attaches to the network simpler and cost effective. And the route to market: managed service providers.
  • GM Hits the Road with Google Apps (0)November 4, 2011General Motors isn’t confirming, but reports indicate the automotive giant is getting ready to ditch Microsoft in favor of Google Apps for email and collaboration for 100,000 of its users. If the reports prove true, the GM deal will be a huge win for Google and cloud computing.
  • File Synch Services Open New Opportunities (1)November 3, 2011Backup is good for preserving and restoring data, but it’s not much of a mechanism for sharing files between devices and users. A growing number of file synchronization services including Dropbox, Box.net and YouSendIt are looking to the channel to grow their subscriber base and break out of their consumer roots.
  • Zenith RMM Chief: We’re Moving On (3)November 3, 2011Zenith Infotech remains embroiled in a debt and legal crisis, but its spinoff company – Zenith RMM – sees its involvement in the controversy coming to an end now that India courts have ordered the disclosure of its acquisition.
  • Microsoft: Cloud for Gold Mandate Overstated (0)November 3, 2011Microsoft says statements made by channel leaders about requiring partners to sell cloud services to maintain their gold status were misinterpreted and overstated. However, the software giant says cloud requirements may happen in time.
  • IBM Looks to Redefine ‘Managed Services’ (0)November 2, 2011Big Blue is finding traction in the midmarket through “next-generation business partners” who not only deliver conventional managed services but also application and business services. Midmarket general manager Andy Monshaw believes it’s the next stage in channel evolution.
  • Axcient Brings Cloud Backup to SMB Channel (0)November 1, 2011Axcient is addressing the data backup and business continuity needs of small and midsized businesses while creating another managed services opportunity for solution providers with its new Cloud Continuity offering.
  • Oracle, RightNow Deal about Cloud Options (0)October 25, 2011Oracle is making its first cloud acquisition with RightNow Technologies for $1.5 billion. The software-as-a-service company gives Oracle a competitive weapon against rival Salesforce.com, but this deal is more about choice and options than the transition to cloud computing.
  • Managed Services Pricing Under Pressure (0)October 20, 2011Managed service providers and the vendors that support them are seeing explosive growth opportunities over the next few years as more businesses look to outsource more IT functions. The problem is customers are pushing back on pricing, defying classic supply-side economics. Here’s why.
  • Zenith RMM Insulates Self from Zenith Infotech (1)October 19, 2011Zenith Infotech remains silent on its bond default, but its spinoff company Zenith RMM is moving to distance itself from the distressed managed services vendor by developing alternative cloud offerings for partners and rebranding the company. Another Zenith company reports no problems or questions about its standing.
  • Intel Explains to Partners Why It Bought McAfee (0)October 18, 2011Renee James, senior vice president of Intel’s Software and Solutions Group, told partners attending the Focus conference in Las Vegas that the processor giant has no plans to assimilate, disrupt or change McAfee’s operations and channel. Instead, the two companies will collaborate on transforming security for the future.
  • Symantec Opens Managed Security to Partners (0)October 13, 2011Through a new specialization program, Symantec is enabling its partners to resell its managed security services. The specialization and referral program is a step toward greater enablement of channel-driven managed services.
  • Cisco, Citrix Enhance VDI Experience (1)October 12, 2011Cisco has long said video would drive future networking and data center technology adoption. The barrier is bandwidth, so it’s partnering with Citrix to leverage virtualization in making unified communications and video less bandwidth-intensive in virtual desktop implementations.
  • IBM Wants Partners to Get Cloud Smart (0)October 12, 2011Big Blue has unveiled an arsenal of products, services and support programs designed to bring independent software vendors, integrators and resellers into the cloud era. It’s almost too much to digest. The “SmartCloud” could be a reflection of slow adoption rather than high channel demand.
  • Box.net Closes $81 Million for Development (1)October 11, 2011The file-sharing and storage company closed a long-anticipated venture funding round with more than double the cash it initially announced in August. Now it has the fuel to build out the business, potentially with channel partners. But is there hockey-stick growth in this service segment?
  • OS33 Bridges Clouds for Unified File Systems (0)October 11, 2011The cloud-enablement platform that’s making it easier for managed service providers to deliver cloud-based services is now bridging the gap between cloud storage providers. Its new Cloud Drive enables MSPs and end users to provision, manage and access data hosted by different storage providers.
  • The McDonald’s Rule of Cloud Computing (0)October 10, 2011Everyone is talking about cloud computing as the wave of the future. The reality, though, is few end users are buying cloud services. The channel needs these offerings to give customers the option; just like McDonald’s offers salads but still sells mostly fries.
  • Cloud Paradox: Margins and Compensation (2)October 6, 2011Cloud computing promises sustained profitability, but building a business around the cloud is proving challenging to channel partners. Two issues they struggle with: margins and compensation. The Cloud Convergence Council’s new report details how channel partners feel about margins and compensation, and offers some solutions to overcome these challenges.
  • Equus, Symform Team Up for Flat-Rate Backup (0)October 4, 2011Equus MSP Solutions is teaming up with cloud storage service provider Symform and backup software vendor StorageCraft to create a new hardware-as-a-service storage offering with unlimited capacity for a flat monthly rate.
  • Zenith Infotech Spins Off RMM Division (0)September 28, 2011Zenith InfoTech, a pioneer in remote backup and hosted managed services, is spinning off its remote monitoring and management products into a separate company called Zenith RMM. The new company will focus on continued development of RMM tools and work closely with its sister company in enabling channel partners.
  • Security Services Growth Continues Unabated (0)September 28, 2011Ceaseless threats, increased risk with mobility and the migration to the cloud are driving businesses on all levels to adopt security services to augment or replace their data protection, according to a new market forecast. For the channel, it’s not necessarily good news, especially as one profitable segment of security services is expected to tumble.
  • Google Drops Lawsuit for Government Cloud (0)September 27, 2011Google and its reseller partner have formally ended their legal quest to undo the Microsoft-only cloud email contract awarded by the Department of the Interior. The lawsuit may signal a shift in the battle for the federal cloud.
  • Cloud Salaries Rich for Those Who Get Paid (0)September 26, 2011Selling cloud computing comes with a certain safety net, as the average salary is above or in line with average sales professional salaries. What’s surprising is the number of solution providers who offer no base salary to their cloud salespeople.
  • IBM Marries Smart Commerce, Cloud Services (0)September 21, 2011Big Blue has long been a proponent of enabling holistic customer experiences. IBM is launching a new cloud program to make it easier for partners to deliver cloud services in support of commerce activities. It’s also a means for getting partners to standardize on IBM cloud tools.
  • Cloud Service Depot Becoming Cloud’s Center (0)September 20, 2011Cloud Services Depot, the regional aggregator of cloud services for resale by channel partners, is fast transforming itself into an enabler of cloud and hosted services through its ability to integrate service providers with solution providers' existing management tools. The latest example: supporting 6Fusion.
  • Ingram Launches Transformation Alliance (0)September 19, 2011Ingram Micro’s European division spearheaded the development of the Channel Transformation Alliance, a program designed to bring vendors together to develop materials, training and support for solution providers entering the cloud marketplace. If successful, the program could go global.
  • Cloud Email: A Two-Horse Race? (1)September 19, 2011Email is one of the more pervasive service offerings in cloud computing that’s dominated by a handful of suppliers. A new Gartner report suggests cloud email is actually a race between Google and Microsoft, with all others – including IBM and VMware – falling by the wayside.
  • Cloud Leads to Deeper Customer Engagements (0)September 15, 2011A new report by AMI-Partners finds solution providers who adopt cloud services quickly expand their footprint within customer organizations with additional services. Sound familiar? It should. It’s the same trajectory as managed services.
  • TCI Pursues Channel Investment Strategy (0)September 12, 2011Technology Capital Investors acquired a stake in Bravura Networks, adding another managed service provider to its portfolio of channel companies. It’s part of an overarching strategy to develop regional IT companies, and possibly a template for accelerating channel growth.
  • IBM Offers SMBs $1 Billion in IT Financing (0)September 8, 2011Big Blue unveiled an ambitious and large $1 billion financing pool to help small and midsized businesses adopt advanced technologies such as analytics and cloud services. It’s yet another IBM push beyond enterprise. Will this time be different?
  • Clarification on Google Web Security (0)September 7, 2011While Google is shutting down its Web Security service, its Postini services continue unaffected. Here’s the update.
  • Cloud is No Channel Bonanza, Yet (6)September 7, 2011Conflicting surveys by CompTIA and the Cloud Convergence Council find wide ranges of cloud value and revenue performance among solution providers. The reality is that the cloud is transforming the way the channel delivers IT services, but it’s not the revenue gold mine producing vast fortunes at wildly accelerated rates.
  • Google’s Federal Cloud Protest Moves Forward (0)September 2, 2011A federal court is expected to issue a ruling next week ordering the Department of the Interior to hire an independent expert to determine if Google Apps meets the government’s cloud security requirements. The decision is a blow to Microsoft’s dominance in the federal IT market.
  • VMworld: Ground Zero for ‘Cloud’ Backlash (0)August 29, 2011The virtualization faithful are gathering in Las Vegas this week, and scores of tech companies are using the event as an opportunity to talk about their latest offerings, partner strategies and services offerings. The word everyone may try to avoid: “Cloud.”
  • NetEnrich Enables SMB Cloud Services (0)August 29, 2011The cloud services provider to the channel launches a new program design to make it easier for solution providers to adopt and manage hosted infrastructure on behalf of their SMB customers.
  • Cisco Gets Small with New WebEx Offering (1)August 23, 2011Cisco is pushing a lightweight version of its online collaboration platform that targets small businesses. The catch: It’s a direct sale only.
  • Box.net Raises $35m for Expansion (0)August 18, 2011The content and collaboration cloud service takes in another $35 million to fuel its growth, including the development of new alliance and channel partners. The investment reflects increasing opportunity in cloud-based file sharing and data synchronization.
  • Google-Moto: A Catalyst for Convergence (0)August 16, 2011Google is gambling on Motorola Mobility giving it the ability to create holistic mobile solutions and patents to fend off rivals. Google may be building a bridge between the IT and telephony channels to create a new converged world.
  • Value of Managed Services Lost on SMBs (1)August 16, 2011Managed services has the power of reducing the cost and labor burden of IT on business operations. But a new study reveals many managed service providers continue to struggle in conveying the value of their offerings to small and midsized businesses. The saving grace: cloud computing, perhaps.
  • Shocker: Google Buys Motorola Mobility (1)August 15, 2011The search giant is making a big bet on mobility by paying $12.5 billion for handset maker Motorola Mobility. The deal has the potential of reshaping the mobile market.
  • Stephen Colbert Explains ‘The Cloud’ (0)August 12, 2011In his unique way, comedian Stephen Colbert aptly explains what cloud computing is, as well as some of its pitfalls. This should be required viewing.
  • Looming Cloud Storage Price Wars (5)August 11, 2011Barracuda Networks recently doubled the capacity of its backup storage service while keeping prices steady. Other cloud storage services are wrestling with what customers are willing to pay and the cost of operations. Will this add up to a cloud storage price war?
  • Ingram Expands Services with Security, RMM (0)August 8, 2011The Ingram Micro Services Division is bolstering its portfolio with new cloud security and remote monitoring and management tools from Symantec, Trend Micro and N-Able. The expansion reflects a larger trend of solution providers wanting more services support from distributors.
  • More Than One Cloud for Making Money (0)August 8, 2011Everyone talks about ‘the cloud’ as if it rains cash from a single source. In the cloud computing era, there’s more than one way to make money in cloud services and more than one cloud to sell.
  • Symform Launches Freemium Cloud Storage (1)July 27, 2011The cloud storage vendor is looking to disrupt the market with a 100-gigabyte freemium offering to partners and customers. The intent is to show price disparities and reveal channel opportunities in this service.
  • Ecosystem Developing Around Google Apps (1)July 27, 2011Defining the size of the Google Apps market is exceedingly difficult. But the growing number of Google Apps specialists and add-on resources is a strong indicator that the online productivity suite is increasingly becoming a significant platform.
  • Report: RMM Users are More Profitable (2)July 27, 2011Managed service advocates tout their model as being more profitable than conventional break/fix VARs. A new report by The 2112 Group and Corelytics finds that users of remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools are more profitable than their non-user counterparts. And the RMM benefits aren’t exclusive to managed service providers.
  • Cloud Security Starts at the Endpoint (0)July 26, 2011Security concerns remain the chief obstacle in cloud adoption. End users don’t trust the security of cloud providers, but that shouldn’t be their only concern. Perhaps cloud security starts with the end user and their ubiquitous endpoints.
  • Buy Google Apps, Get a Tablet Free (2)July 22, 2011Excel Micro, a Google Apps integrator, is enticing new customers to adopt the search engine giant’s business-class service with add-on security features and productivity customizations. The added incentive is a free tablet. The catch: It’s not an iPad2.
  • Channel Struggles with Cloud Commissions (1)July 20, 2011The preliminary results of a new study by the Cloud Convergence Council found more than half the channel wrestles with making cloud compensations worthwhile for salespeople.
  • LifeSize Launches Cloud Video Conferencing (4)July 20, 2011LifeSize, a division of Logitech, is acquiring new assets and launching cloud-based infrastructure to expand the availability and make high-definition video conferencing more affordable. But will help make video conferencing more relevant to businesses?
  • Microsoft is Right on Cloud Billing (1)July 18, 2011Partners have long complained about Microsoft not allowing them to bill independently for cloud services. Microsoft is actually doing the channel a service by providing stability and consistency in cloud pricing. Here’s why solution providers should embrace Microsoft’s cloud billing policies.
  • Chromebooks Sell Well, But Not to Businesses (1)July 18, 2011Early indications are the Google Chromebooks produced by Acer and Samsung are selling well enough to stave off the “flop” label. But all sales are flowing through retail. Just when Chromebooks are coming to the channel for business sales is anyone’s guess, including Google’s manufacturing partners.
  • 8 Things to Watch for at Microsoft WPC (0)July 11, 2011Microsoft opens its annual Worldwide Partner Conference in Los Angeles, where as many as 15,000 solution providers will gather to hear about products and strategy. Channelnomics is monitoring the confab and has eight things it’s looking forward to hearing about.
  • webOS and the Future of Mobility (0)July 8, 2011Hewlett-Packard isn’t shrugging off bad reviews of its TouchPad tablet and underlying operating system. Instead, it’s using those reviews to improve its products – and that shows HP’s ambitions to be an operating system company and the true future of computing.
  • Microsoft Willing to Pay for Office 365 Users (0)July 6, 2011Microsoft is pinning much of its cloud hopes on Office 365 – the Web-based alternative of its multibillion-dollar productivity software suite. A new report reveals Microsoft is willing to pay customers to choose Office 365 over rival Google Apps. And there’s good news for partners in this program.
  • Dimension Data Extends Cloud Capabilities with OpSource Buy (0)July 1, 2011Dimension Data, the global systems integrator owned by NTT Communications, bought OpSource for an undisclosed sum. Some analysts say it's part of the cloud consolidation trend. In reality, the deal is more about extending capabilities and value propositions.
  • Box.net Channelizes Cloud Collaboration (0)June 29, 2011The cloud-based content and collaboration services company launched a new channel program enabling partners to sell and support its solutions. The program is an example of the increasing importance of the cloud in data and user mobility.
  • Microsoft Goes to the Cloud with Office 365 (0)June 28, 2011The cloud-based version of the Office productivity suite becomes generally available today, giving partners and businesses an alternative to the on-premise software version. Is Office 365 enough to bolster Microsoft’s cloud fortunes?
  • Wyoming Officially First State on Google Apps (0)June 24, 2011The “Equality State” is famous for its firsts. It was the first to give women the right to vote. It’s home to the first national park in the world. And it’s now officially the first state on Google Apps. It’s the latest big win for Google in its cloud ambitions.
  • Cloud Spending: The Numbers are Big, Irrelevant (1)June 23, 2011Analyst firms have released new projections on business spending on cloud services. These reports share three common characteristics: They’re all big numbers, they all focus on 2015 as the milestone year, and they all disagree. Do any of these forecasts really matter?
  • WPC: Why Should Microsoft Partners Attend (1)June 22, 2011Today is the deadline for partners to suggest themes and topics for Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s Worldwide Partner Conference keynote. While there are many issues facing Microsoft and its community channel partners, perhaps the biggest issue is “why attend WPC at all.”
  • Dell Simplifies Virtualization with vStart (0)June 16, 2011Dell aims to expand its foothold in virtualization and empower partners by offering plug-and-play virtualization hardware and software stacks purpose-built for enterprise deployments that will accelerate the speed of adoption and deployment of virtualization technologies.
  • 2112, Virgo Renew Cloud Partnership (0)June 16, 2011The 2112 Group, publisher of Channelnomics, and Virgo Publishing, publisher of Channel Partners magazine, have committed to continuing joint research and community development on the convergence of the IT and telephony channels in cloud computing.
  • Cloud is Changing Who Buys IT (1)June 15, 2011Businesses have always had ‘rogue’ IT spending by line of business managers. Cloud computing is making rogue IT spending easier by eliminating the need for physical support and not impacting capital budgets. This shift will change how solution providers approach customers and identify selling opportunities.
  • iCloud and the Art of Changing Expectations (0)June 8, 2011Solution providers are wondering whether Apple’s iCloud is a threat to their emerging opportunities in cloud computing. It’s likely not a threat, but could change the way businesses want to consume cloud services.
  • Fujitsu Launches Nuclear-Free Cloud (0)June 7, 2011Fujitsu recently launched a free beta of its global infrastructure-as-a-service offering. And, believe it or not, it’s a nuclear-free zone in the cloud. There’s a lesson here on how service providers should think about the use of their clouds.
  • Amid Hacking Swarm, Change Passwords Quick (1)June 7, 2011Hackers are targeting high-profile corporations, government agencies and public email services. One of the simplest ways to safeguard network assets and data is changing passwords. Isn’t it time you had a talk with your customers?
  • New Credentials Instill MSP Professionalism (5)June 3, 2011Through two different credentialing efforts, CompTIA and MSPAlliance are setting new standards for managed and cloud services performance and excellence. The respective credentials are intended to provide MSPs with standards and market differentiators. Here's a look at their benefits and shortcomings, and what they ultimately mean for the channel.
  • Distributors’ Cloud Strategy Turns to Facilitation (4)June 2, 2011Ingram Micro announces the new Cloud Marketplace at its first cloud computing summit. It's the latest in a string of distribution initiatives designed to make it easier and more effective for solution providers to build and sustain robust cloud computing practices.
  • Exploring Cloud Value and Compensation Models (0)June 1, 2011Cloud computing is attractive to end users because of its economics -- lower costs and affordability. Cloud computing is attractive to solution providers and vendors because of its predictable revenue model. But how do solution providers and vendors demonstrate the value behind the price of their cloud services? How do cloud companies compensate salespeople? And…
  • Cloud Sherpas: Exemplifying Google Partnership (0)May 27, 2011Google Apps is currently sold by conventional VARs and managed service providers. In the near future, success in the Google channel will require application development capabilities. Cloud Sherpa is an early example of this future channel state.
  • Linksys, WebEx for Sale, but Who’s Buying? (0)May 19, 2011Speculation continues to build that Cisco will sell off its Linksys and WebEx product links. As unfathomable as that sounds, it’s harder to come up with a short list of could be the buyers.
  • GTDC: Channel Health Continues to Improve (0)May 19, 2011The Global Technology Distribution Council reports steep increases in technology product sales through distribution and reseller channels, and it’s not just low-end products.
  • Auto-Renewals Preserve Cloud Value (1)May 17, 2011Managed services and cloud providers face pricing pressures every time a contract expires. NetEnrich’s Justin Crotty says “auto-renewing contracts” are the answer to services commoditization.
  • CA Jumping Out of Antivirus is No Surprise (0)May 16, 2011Venture capital firm Updata Partners will form a new company called “Total Defense,” making a run at the highly competitive antivirus market. CA isn’t exactly a leader in the security market, raising questions why it took so long to get out of the market and how well Total Defense will succeed in the new enterprise.
  • Google Chromebook: The Channel Outlook (0)May 12, 2011Google is clearly gunning for Microsoft’s vaunted Windows cash-cow with partner-built laptops powered by low-cost, easy to use, Web-integrated operating system. It may also take a dent out of Apple’s PC business, in the process. Here are a few thoughts about Google’s disruptive ambitions and what they mean to the channel.
  • Riverbed, Akamai Partner on WAN Optimization (0)May 11, 2011WAN Optimization appliance vendor Riverbed Technologies is teaming up with Internet acceleration service provider Akamai Technologies to speed application performance across private networks and public clouds.
  • Microsoft, Partners will Win with Skype (0)May 11, 2011Microsoft is shelling out $8.5 billion to acquire online communications company Skype and its global community of 650 million users. There are many reasons for this expensive acquisition, but stickiness with customers for all of Microsoft’s products is the ultimate justification. And that will eventually help Microsoft partners.
  • GFI Takes Aim at Barracuda, Google (0)May 10, 2011GFI Software is no longer content in operating in the periphery of the security marketplace, and it looking to pick a fight with two substantially larger rivals, Barracuda Networks and Google in the lucrative email security segment.
  • CA, VCE Team Up on Virtual Desktops (0)May 9, 2011The company built on mainframe management is steadily increasing its footprint in cloud and virtualization technologies. Its joining with VCE on virtual desktops is further proof of the software company’s intent to move away from its previous isolation and assert itself as a major player in the cloud era. What still needs work is its…
  • Interop Forecast: Cloudy with Chance of Rain (0)May 9, 2011The annual Interop confab in Las Vegas is replete with talks and exhibits about cloud computing. This undoubtedly means a lot of unnecessary marketing spin by vendors who want to stake a claim in the cloud. What’s needed is a reality check on the limits of cloud computing.
  • Amazon Outage, Sony Breach and Cloud Futures (0)May 4, 2011An Amazon Web Services failure knocked dozens of Web sites and businesses offline for hours. Sony is reeling from a massive security breach that compromised millions of user accounts. Many believe the rash of cloud computing incidents will slow services adoption. The more likely outcome is realistic cloud adoption, and that will create opportunities for…
  • 7 Machine-to-Machine Channel Opportunities (0)May 2, 2011The Internet will have more than 50 billion connected devices by 2020, but only a fraction will be human interfaces. Machine-to-machine connections are poised to skyrocket, opening new opportunities for products, software, professional services and cloud engagements.
  • Intacct Credits Channel for Growth (0)April 29, 2011The cloud-based financial intelligence platform added 20 new reseller partners in the first quarter, which helped push channel-driven business to a tenfold increase over the previous year. Is there a secret ingredient to this success?
  • Cisco’s Goes into ‘Mythbuster’ Mode (1)April 27, 2011Cisco is launching its “When Good Enough Is Not Good Enough” communications blitz to convince customers and partners that they shouldn’t buy or support lower-cost alternatives. Cisco’s figured out it’s fighting a war of perceptions, but may not have figured those perceptions are based on its core value.
  • CenturyLink Bolsters Its Cloud with Savvis Buy (0)April 27, 2011The newly minted third-largest U.S. teleco adds more hosting and managed cloud capacity to its portfolio through the $2.5 billion Savvis acquisition. Best bet is other large acquisitions will follow quickly.
  • Sprint-Clearwire Deal Reflects Cloud Mobility (0)April 20, 2011Over the next two years, Sprint Nextel will pay Clearwire more than $1 billion for access to its 4G network. The deal is as much about enabling the mobile cloud as it is about inter-carrier competition with AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Deals such as this may also accelerate cloud convergence.
  • Novell Completes ID Management Family (0)April 20, 2011Novell completed its Identity Management 4 family of products with the release of Standard Edition, a package that provides rich identity management functionality without expensive add-on modules. Standard Edition puts identity management in reach of midmarket companies and service providers.
  • Microsoft Office 365 Well Positioned for Channel (0)April 19, 2011The newly released beta-version of the online productivity suite isn’t easy to deploy and configure, and that means opportunity for solution providers. Here’s how Microsoft has done a good job of positioning Office 365 for the channel.
  • The PSA-Cloud Integration Imperative (5)April 13, 2011Professional services automation software such as Autotask, ConnectWise and TigerPaw made the administration of managed services businesses easier and more efficient. Now they’re fast becoming a prerequisite for emerging cloud platforms.
  • Feds Doubt Google Security Certification (1)April 12, 2011Google was dealt a setback in its bid to displace Microsoft as the provider of cloud-based email to the Department of the Interior when Justice officials disputed the cloud vendor’s claims of having an essential federal security certification. It’s another interesting turn in a legal case with serious ramifications for cloud computing and partner relationships.
  • Microsoft-Toyota Deal a Spark of Future Mobility (0)April 8, 2011Microsoft and Toyota announced a partnership to develop integrated systems for extending onboard and cloud-based applications to vehicles. The partnership has tremendous potential for building a new foundation of channel service and support opportunities.
  • Spiceworks Adds Cloud Management Features (0)April 8, 2011The provider of low-cost IT management tools gives its service providers and end users the ability to acquire and manage cloud services through Google and Rackspace. The new features could be a sign of new channel business models designed to support changing consumption trends.
  • Cisco Admits Problems, Partners Welcome Change (2)April 6, 2011Cisco partners are hopeful John Chambers’ memo admitting mistakes in market strategy and product execution haven't hurt the company – and, by extension, the channel. Many partners believe the acknowledgment of a problem is the first step in long awaited improvements.
  • Acquisition Threat Casts Pale over Cloud (0)April 4, 2011Rackspace CEO Lanham Napier declares the hosting company will remain independent amid buyout rumors. But every mid-tier hosting and cloud company is a potential target, and that will complicate cloud strategy and adoption among solution providers.
  • Four Biz Lessons from the Final Four (0)April 1, 2011The match-ups are set for the ultimate college hoops showdown. Here are four lessons from the Final Four for solution providers.
  • 7 Top Services Delivered Via Network Connections (1)April 1, 2011While many MSPs strive to be all things IT to their clients, the reality is that customers’ comfort level with handing the IT reins to an outsider can vary from task to task and business to business. So what managed services are getting the most attention? Here are 7 top services delivered over the network.
  • 5 Open Questions on HP’s Cloud Ambitions (0)March 30, 2011Hewlett-Packard used this week’s Americas Partner Conference to unveil its ambitious cloud-computing initiatives and channel support programs. While no one thinks HP will fail, several questions remain about how HP will succeed in the cloud.
  • HP’s Cloudy Future in Cloud Computing (0)March 30, 2011Hewlett-Packard unveiled its new channel cloud program this week at the Americas Partner Conference in Las Vegas. HP’s cloud goals are ambitious, but not revolutionary. Here’s a look at how HP is playing it safe.
  • 5 Considerations for MSPs When Crafting SLAs (0)March 28, 2011Carefully developing an SLA not only sets clear boundaries and responsibilities for service delivery, it can give an MSP a deeper understanding of the customer’s business and the impact IT services have on customer business processes. In order to get the most from your SLAs, be sure to consider these five factors when developing such…
  • Cloud is a Big Deal among Small Businesses (1)March 28, 2011A new study by Microsoft reveals small businesses are adopting cloud services at an accelerated rate. The numbers suggest a ripe opportunity for more than just cloud-based email – cloud-based voice, too.
  • Standardized IT Services: As IBM Goes, So Goes the World (0)March 24, 2011Technologies such as virtualization and cloud computing are making standardized platforms acceptable... even preferable. Enter IBM with new, pre-engineered delivery of like servers, storage, service-desk assets and more as a way to speed deployment and lower cost. Are you ready for this shift?
  • Conflicting Channel Structures, Capabilities Hinder IT and Telephony Convergence (0)March 16, 2011IT solution providers are increasingly offering voice services to customers. Telephony agents are also offering IT services with increasing regularity. But partnering with carriers isn’t as easy as with IT vendors, and that could hinder true convergence of these two channels.
  • More Than Clouds in the Channel Future (0)March 14, 2011Analysts project rapid revenue growth in cloud-computing services over the next five years. But even with this astronomical increase, cloud computing will remain just a fraction of total IT spending. This means cloud will be a piece of the IT puzzle, not the entire solution.
  • Prepare for Increased Customer Demands in Cloud Services Deals (0)March 9, 2011The cloud is serious business – and with that comes both opportunity and a new level of concern for cloud service providers trying to lure savvy-if-skittish CIOs. Are your contract cloud services enterprise-ready?
  • NetSuite ‘SuiteStart’ Reflects Channel Power (0)March 9, 2011Solution providers may think they're in danger of being rendered obsolete by the cloud, but NetSuite is clearly thinking differently. The Web-based ERP vendor is adding rich incentives to attract partners, showing the need for the channel to maintain cloud momentum.
  • 5 Reasons Managed Service Providers are Well Positioned for the Cloud (3)March 8, 2011Managed service providers and conventional solution providers are living in fear that cloud computing will render them obsolete. The cloud is disrupting the entire IT marketplace, but it’s not the end of the channel as we know it. Managed service providers are actually well positioned to adopt cloud products and drive Web-based services
  • Consultative Selling Critical to Cloud Success (0)March 7, 2011The IT channel was built on bits and bytes – businesses that not only understood the technology they were selling, but had the acumen to expand the capabilities of that technology with their organic know-how. The telephony channel, on the other hand, has a more sales-oriented business model in which the agents and resellers of…
  • Cisco Strikes Defensive Posture at Summit (0)March 2, 2011Cisco executive and channel leadership put on the hard sell to partners of the vendor’s legacy of leadership and ability to stay ahead of change. The tone and message are ones of defense against the rising tide of competitive and technology challenges.
  • Share Shifting in Managed Services (0)March 2, 2011A fundamental disconnect exists between vendors and managed service providers in the true potential of the market – and it’s the vendors’ fault. Vendors need to realize they represent only a small percentage of an MSP's business, and their job is to earn a greater share.
  • Cisco Assigns Partners Cloud Designations (0)March 1, 2011Cisco Systems kicked off its annual Partner Summit in New Orleans today with the launch of a new channel cloud-computing program through which solution providers at different stages of cloud development can earn credentials and support.
  • “As a Service” Has Lost its Luster (1)March 1, 2011Every vendor is announcing the latest delivery of applications and infrastructure “as a service,” as if it’s the greatest thing since slice bread or ice cream on a stick. Service models are no longer remarkable or a differentiator.
  • Why Some Businesses Will Never Adopt Clouds (1)March 1, 2011Vendor marketing would have you believe that everything IT is heading to the cloud, and on-premises resources such as data centers and desktop applications will disappear with some miraculous flip of a switch. A more realistic view is that of steady evolution over the next decade as businesses gradually adopt cloud-computing resources and integrate with…
  • Going to Cisco, Looking for Answers (2)February 28, 2011The once mighty Cisco Systems, seemingly indomitable in its core technologies and unstoppable in its ancillary ventures, is looking shaky. Shareholders are questioning strategy and rivals are gaining ground. What answers will Cisco have for solution providers at this week’s Partner Summit in New Orleans?
  • OS33 Enhances the Power of Integrated Clouds (0)February 25, 2011The cloud services company launched OS33 Grid, an infrastructure as a service offering integrated with its cloud application services that provides managed services and solution providers with a fully integrated platform for delivering comprehensive, branded hosted services to end users.
  • Intermedia Combines PBX with Hosted Email (1)February 24, 2011Another sign the IT and telephony channels are converging came with Intermedia’s announcement that it’s offering hosted PBX services integrated with hosted Microsoft Exchange for solution providers to deliver as a white-labeled cloud service.
  • Cisco Withdraws from Hosted Email Market (5)February 23, 2011A little more than a year after launching Cisco Mail via the Webex platform, Cisco Systems is discontinuing the hosted service citing customer demand for new, advanced collaborative tools. Between the lines, there is much more at play.
  • Cloud Forces Change, Obsolescence (0)February 23, 2011Solution providers in the IT and telephony channels are struggling to find their place in the cloud computing era. Without a doubt, the cloud is forcing change upon some solution providers, and may even render many obsolete.
  • End Users Drive IT, Telephony Convergence (0)February 17, 2011We can speculate about the many reasons for the IT and telephony channels converging in the cloud: The two have different strengths that will complement each other in cloud engagements; and communications and data applications are consolidating into holistic systems, which will bring the two channels together. But the real reason is most likely the…
  • IBM Cloud Specialties Reflect Complexity in Services Model and Channel’s Value (0)February 16, 2011Businesses are looking to cloud computing to simplify the cost and access to complex IT applications and resources. IBM’s new cloud specialties for channel partners reflect the skill sets needed to make complexity seem simple.
  • 5 Things We Learned Today – February 11 (0)February 11, 2011Here’s a look at some of the stories and trends that hit our radar screen that are relevant to the channel. My favorite: Microsoft tying up with Nokia in smartphones.
  • Wanted: Simplicity in Business Software, Systems (0)February 11, 2011IT budgets are continuing to grow stronger as businesses feel more confident in their health to invest in IT systems and applications. But one analyst believes businesses will continue to put pressure on routine, operational spending initiatives in search of greater efficiency and productivity. It’s good and bad news for solution providers.
  • 4 Things We Learned Today – February 10 (0)February 10, 2011Here’s a look at some of the stories and trends that hit our radar screen that are relevant to the channel. My favorite: Rackspace's quarterly earnings report.
  • Level Platforms Tour an Entry Point for Managed Services (0)February 10, 2011Level Platforms has garnered the support of 22 vendors for its North America road show. The tour is designed to showcase the evolution of remote monitoring and management tools, but it’s really more about the growing interest among big software vendors in the managed services market.
  • What to Call the Converged Cloud? (0)February 10, 2011What’s the difference between “Infrastructure as a Service" (IaaS) and “Platform as a Service" (PaaS)? There’s a substantial difference, but probably not for much longer. In fact, the arbitrary lines drawn between many cloud-computing services is quickly blurring as service providers consolidate and simplify services.
  • New Riverbed Tools Details ROI, Performance (0)February 7, 2011Riverbed is adding executive-level reporting tools to its WAN optimization portfolio, giving partners the ability to demonstrate ROI and plan for future needs.
  • Big Cloud Acquisitions Are Not a Channel Threat (0)February 4, 2011First came the massive buyout of managed hosting company Terremark Worldwide by Verizon Communications for $1.4 billion. Days later, media conglomerate and cable company Time Warner paid $230 million for managed application service provider Navisite. Suddenly, every large hosting company on the market is up for a land-grab in the cloud. Is this a game…
  • Cloud Changing ‘Service Provider’ Definition (0)February 2, 2011Utter the term “service provider” to 10 people in the channel 10 years ago and you probably would have received concurrence in definition: a carrier or telecommunications company such as AT&T or Verizon that provides connectivity and bandwidth services. Today that definition is balkanized, first by the shift to managed services and now by the…
  • Cloud Performance Tools Hasten SLA Model Shift (1)January 31, 2011Cloud enthusiasts last week watch the Amazon launch of Beanstalk with fascination, as the master-platform-as-a-service blurred the lines with infrastructure by providing tools to make it easier for software developers to deploy applications on the sprawling cloud network. Yet, if you believe in the importance of data and resource availability, the much-overlooked CloudWatch announcement earlier…
  • Top 5 Cloud Services in the Channel Today (0)January 28, 2011The Cloud Convergence Council, a joint venture of Channel Partners Magazine and The 2112 Group, recently conducted a survey of telephony and IT solution providers about the cloud services they currently offer. The most common cloud service in both channels is surprising.
  • Level Platforms, N-Able Renew MSP Push (0)January 26, 2011The technology world can’t stop talking about cloud computing, but an entire industry around remote monitoring and management – or, as some people call it, “automated break/fix” business – makes up a huge part of the channel. RMM rivals Level Platforms and N-Able are renewing their push to penetrate deeper into the channel with managed…
  • Panda Plans Expansion; Acquisitions Possible (1)January 26, 2011Panda Security, the totally cloud-based approach to anti-malware, had a great 2010 and is looking to grow even more in 2011. Rick Carlson, president of North America operations, is even holding open the opportunities for acquisitions.
  • Cirtas Looks to Disrupt Storage with New Funding (0)January 25, 2011Less than six months have passed since storage management innovator Cirtas Systems came out of stealth mode, but the company has already closed its second round of venture capital funding and is moving aggressively to expand its unique brand of hybrid cloud storage. While storage is anything but sexy, the Cirtas funding round reflects why…
  • IBM: 2011 is the Year of Business Intelligence (0)January 24, 2011Former GE chief Jack Welch’s business axiom is well known but rarely practiced among small and midsized companies: “It can’t be managed if it can’t be managed.” But there’s growing evidence that midmarket companies are looking to business analytics and applications as critical tools for improving and growing their businesses.
  • Disaster Recovery is a Cloud Convergence Point (0)January 24, 2011The IT and telephony channels approach their respective customers very differently. The IT channel places value on its technical prowess, where the telephony channel emphasizes services and service delivery. Not surprising that, in the cloud, these two channels are focusing on products and services that best match their core skill sets – except in one…
  • ShoreTel Aims for Growth through Focus, Disties (0)January 18, 2011ShoreTel is gearing up for anticipated growth in VoIP and unified communications growth, particularly among midsized companies, by adopting a two-tier distribution channel strategy in the U.S. Under the hood of this strategy are some interesting nuggets for how the IP telephony company – and potentially other vendors – will approach the channel in the…
  • ‘Who Owns the Customer’ Fuels Roaring Debate (1)January 13, 2011This is a conversation without end: the debate over who ultimately owns the customer in the cloud-computing era. Several solution providers and vendors have weighed in on the issue, providing a bevy of perspectives on this critical channel issue.
  • Smartronix, Amazon Pilot Treasury’s Cloud Migration (1)January 12, 2011Much has been made of Microsoft and Google’s battle for a share of the burgeoning federal government cloud business under the Obama administration mandate of a “cloud first” for all new infrastructure investments. But solution provider Smartronix’s contract with the U.S. Treasury is showing how to win cloud business through partnerships with platform firms such…
  • In Cloud Computing Era, Who Owns the Account? (0)January 10, 2011In cloud computing, vendors are going to market with partners to reach end-user customers. But they’re often retaining the billing functions, which makes many solution providers nervous over account control and ownership. So the question becomes: Who owns the customer relationship in the cloud?
  • Dell Buys SecureWorks to Push into Security (1)January 4, 2011Any doubts of Dell’s desire to diversify its portfolio and provide more services were dispelled this morning with its acquisition of managed security service provider SecureWorks. The deal gives Dell a major footprint in security and another competitive weapon in its ongoing war with Hewlett-Packard and Cisco.
  • BPOS Channel Billing is the Canary in the Cloud (0)January 4, 2011A lingering concern among solution providers in the great cloud migration is account ownership. While vendors such as Microsoft and Google say service accounts will belong to the originating solution providers selling the contracts, the channel is equating control of billing with account ownership. In this regard, what Microsoft ultimately does with BPOS billing may…
  • Microsoft BPOS Breach Good for Cloud Security (1)December 27, 2010Reports surfaced last week that Microsoft’s BPOS suffered a serious — albeit contained — security breach. Survey after survey exclaims security (or the perceived risk of a security breach or unwanted risk exposure) is the greatest or one of the most significant barriers to cloud adoption. Security is an important consideration, but more so is…
  • Finding New Opportunity in Cloud Computing (0)December 20, 2010Channelnomics frequently writes about the cloud computing evolution and how it’s disrupting the conventional IT reseller channel. After all, the cloud is more than just technology; it’s a new business model and customer relationship philosophy. And, it’s opening new doors for traditional solution providers and vendors, as well as newcomers to the industry. And that’s…
  • Gartner Says Two Vendors Will Dominate the Cloud (2)December 15, 2010Gartner, the great prognosticator of the technology marketplace, has confirmed what most already know: The cloud is overhyped. Nevertheless, the cloud is still in its infancy with adoption rates – particularly among enterprises – and is expected to explode over the next few years. The analyst firm says two vendors will dominate the cloud by…
  • Virtualization and iPads: A Killer Channel Combo (0)December 9, 2010Tablets – led by Apple’s iPad – are hot. It took years for laptops to displace desktop PCs as the king of computing, and now it looks as though tablets will displace both PCs and notebooks within the next year to 18 months. While built with consumers in mind, tablets are quickly finding their way…
  • Channel Needs Less Cloud Debate, More Action (0)December 6, 2010Many people in and around the channel are asking what impact cloud computing will have on conventional value-added resellers and solution providers. Actually, it’s a little more than inquisitive conversation and more like a looping dialogue that never quite advances understanding beyond the re-ignition of another round of debate. If Elvis were alive (and I’m…
  • Google Pays $1.9B for Manhattan ‘Carrier Hotel’ (1)December 3, 2010Google is putting down roots in Manhattan in a big way by buying the Chelsea Meatpacking District building that currently houses its sprawling Big Apple sales and engineering operations. But this is no ordinary building: It’s actually one of the most wired buildings in the world and considered one of the leading ‘carrier hotels’ in…
  • Google, Partner Scores Big with Federal Agency (3)December 1, 2010The Obama administration is pushing federal agencies to take a “cloud first” approach to solving IT problems effectively and at a lower cost. The Government Services Agency today became the first department to migrate its 15,000 employees to a Web-based email system – Google Apps. The contract win signals a growing opportunity in the federal…
  • Rapid Returns from Selling into the Cloud (1)November 29, 2010The recent launch of WAN optimization products by Riverbed wasn’t revealing about the future of cloud computing, but rather the stark reality of the present impact the cloud and virtualized environments are having on the low-end of the channel. While service providers like AT&T and Amazon continue to reap huge shifts in revenue from cloud…
  • First RetroDex Reveals What’s Next in Tech (1)November 17, 2010Last night, I had the privilege of keynoting the new RetroDex event at the Seattle Music Experience – a wonderful museum dedicated to pop music (and science fiction memorabilia). RetroDex is intended to provide a live compendium to the revived Comdex in virtual form. More than 150 attended to network and hear about what’s going…
  • Breaking Through the Hype of Cloud Computing (1)November 16, 2010The IT market is one of continual change. Fast and constantly moving, our market’s pace of change is exciting and terrifying. Solution providers must grapple with falling and rising opportunities; as one area matures, another emerges. In between, there’s a lot of hype – and it’s time to break the hype cycle.
  • Cloudy Future for Channel in Web Services (0)November 15, 2010Cloud computing’s impact on the channel remains a matter of great debate. Solution providers across North America are trying to define their role – if any – in “the cloud.” Our channel brethren across the pond are dealing with the same quandary. And, according to a new report, they’re opting to bypass the cloud in…
  • Alternate Interpretation of Market Research (0)October 11, 2010Oracle co-president Mark Hurd once said, “If you interrogate the numbers long enough, they will provide you the answer.” He was of course talking about business analytics – the study of market indicators, sales performance and customer trends. He was right; numbers don’t lie, but it’s all in how you interpret them.
  • Google’s New-Old Authentication Scheme (0)September 20, 2010Google today took the wraps off its new two-factor authentication method for securing access to Google Apps accounts. Besides a username and password, users will have to enter a one-time passcode sent to them via their cellphone. Not a bad idea, considering this method has been kicking around for some time.
  • Exploring ‘The New Normal’ at MSP World (2)September 20, 2010Over the last 10 years, managed services has evolved from boutique offerings targeting enterprise IT users to a revolution in the delivery of break/fix services to a mainstream professional services offering suitable for nearly any IT operation. It’s been a remarkable run for solution providers adopting the MSP model – in part or whole –…
  • Red Herrings in Cloud Computing (1)September 17, 2010The “Bad Boy of the Week” award goes to David Barksdale, 27-year-old Google Site Reliability Engineer who got busted snooping on the Google Voice accounts of at least four minors. This type of security breach happens when people with access violate the trust granted by their employers. But is it enough to indict cloud computing…
  • Intel Reveals the Cloud is Dead (5)August 30, 2010Let me be the first to say this: “The cloud is dead!”In fact, I’m not sure if cloud computing was ever a real trend. The real disruption to the IT paradigm is mobility, which is part of the promise of cloud computing – access to data from any place, at anytime from anywhere. In that…
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