Year: 2015

Incoming Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins
Networking

Cisco Canada chief: Robbins will drive execution

May 26, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Cisco Canada chief: Robbins will drive execution
Bernadette Wightman calls incoming Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins “an execution engine” arriving at a time when pace of change is accelerating.

Channel Programs

Xirrus completely recrafts channel program with new Xirrus Xcellerate

May 26, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Xirrus completely recrafts channel program with new Xirrus Xcellerate
The changes reflect the wireless networking vendor’s transition in the last several years from a direct seller to a company that sells entirely through the channel, where the internal sales force now works to drum up business for partners.

Distribution

Video: Inside Tech Data Canada’s Business Builder Tour

May 25, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Video: Inside Tech Data Canada’s Business Builder Tour
ChannelBuzz.ca catches up with Tech Data Canada’s Ed Galasso and HP Canada’s Phil Smith from the distributor’s Toronto Business Builder Tour stop.

Cheryl Neal, vice president of supplier business management for security and networking solutions with Avnet Technology Solutions in the Americas.
Networking

Increase your business opportunity in SDN by asking these 8 questions

May 25, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Increase your business opportunity in SDN by asking these 8 questions
Cheryl Neal of Avnet Technology Solutions offers solution providers eight questions that can maximize their software-defined networking (SDN) business.

Virtualization

Dell continues VDI appliance push with VMware EVO:RAIL Horizon Edition appliance

May 22, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell continues VDI appliance push with VMware EVO:RAIL Horizon Edition appliance
Dell becomes the first vendor to offer a hyper-converged end-to-end VDI appliance for EVO:RAIL, which becomes its fifth different VDI appliance in five months, as the company intensifies its emphasis on the space

Solution Provider News

Partnering leads to acquisition as Winnipeg’s Powerland buys FACT Computers

May 22, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Partnering leads to acquisition as Winnipeg’s Powerland buys FACT Computers
The deal takes a previous partnering relationship one step further, expands Powerland’s presence in Saskatchewan, and gives them complete control of FACT’s comparatively large pool of technical people, who complement Powerland’s previous shortage of feet on the street in Saskatchewan.

Servers

Hungry Lenovo ramping up server channel efforts in drive for top spot

May 21, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Hungry Lenovo ramping up server channel efforts in drive for top spot
The company has put measures in place to drive North American server sales through the channel, and while it is still a distant fourth in server revenues, they are eager to make up ground this year.

Storage

New Drobo CEO outlines plans for growth as independent company

May 21, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on New Drobo CEO outlines plans for growth as independent company
Former Brocade executive Mihir H. Shah tells ChannelBuzz why he thinks Drobo remains a valuable commodity in a world of ever more complex storage solutions, what he sees as new opportunities for the company, and his view of how it will go to market going forward.

Cloud

New Avaya Cloud IP Office to sell entirely through partners, including MSPs

May 21, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on New Avaya Cloud IP Office to sell entirely through partners, including MSPs
The new cloud offering comes from a Canadian-based datacentre, and is designed to appeal to SMBs as well as midmarket customers considering cloud.

Channel Programs

Riverbed continues value partner program emphasis with new enhancements

May 21, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Riverbed continues value partner program emphasis with new enhancements
They include changes to Professional Services training designed to increase dollar spend, up-leveling Premier partner competency requirements, and a new Demo program which reduces the cost outlay to partners.