Month: July 2016

Networking

Avaya, FatPipe launch first integrated SDN and SDN-WAN solution

July 20, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya, FatPipe launch first integrated SDN and SDN-WAN solution
The joint solution will be available through the channel of both vendors, although in Canada, the FatPipe channel is more limited, so Avaya’s channel will likely carry the ball here.

Distribution

Cloud disti Pax8 to bring DataMAPt monitoring service to distribution

July 20, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Cloud disti Pax8 to bring DataMAPt monitoring service to distribution
DataMAPt offers a cloud-based RMM solution aimed at SMBs which offers flexible coverage, extreme ease of use, and very low pricing for the industry.

Cloud

Reinventing the Channel: Everything as a Service

July 19, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Reinventing the Channel: Everything as a Service
Channel partners can and should play a strong role in helping to reinvent everything-as-a-service [XaaS] for enterprises of all sizes, says HP Inc. President of the Americas Christoph Schell.

Security

Sophos re-imagines encryption for the mass market

July 19, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Sophos re-imagines encryption for the mass market
Encryption has been basically limited to larger enterprises because of its complexity, but with their new Safeguard Encryption 8 offering, Sophos has reworked it to be simple enough for mid-market and SMB companies.

Channel Programs

Extreme Networks stresses pay-for-performance, new customers in channel program changes

July 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Extreme Networks stresses pay-for-performance, new customers in channel program changes
Extreme Networks has announced a series of significant revisions to its channel program, with more to be announced at their partner event in October.

Cloud

Actiance sees big benefits in Skype for Business certification

July 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Actiance sees big benefits in Skype for Business certification
Apart from the typical benefits from certified status of Microsoft’s validation with customers, Microsoft’s policies of encouraging partnerships is generating new business for Actiance from other Microsoft vendor partners, and developing a higher value-add channel for them.

Cloud

Nectar unveils QoS automation solution for collaboration environments on Cisco networks

July 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Nectar unveils QoS automation solution for collaboration environments on Cisco networks
Nectar also announced a second new offering, around Microsoft Skype, with a suite of cloud enablement solutions that parallels ones they had previously offered for on-prem deployments.

Cloud

Zetta reworks cloud portal as part of MSP partner drive

July 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Zetta reworks cloud portal as part of MSP partner drive
Unusually for the business cloud backup space, Zetta has sold mainly direct, with only a small MSP channel. The new portal is designed to appeal to MSPs, and is part of a campaign to significantly expand the percentage of business that goes through partners.

Channel Programs

Canada still a land grab opportunity for the channel: Microsoft

July 14, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Canada still a land grab opportunity for the channel: Microsoft
Microsoft Canada channel chief Jason Brommet laid out what the company sees as the new opportunities in Canada and how recent moves, including the Canadian data centres going live, will help partners succeed. He also indicated that channel resources in Canada are being significantly enhanced.

Channel Programs

Microsoft tweaks partner profitability strategies

July 14, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft tweaks partner profitability strategies
Microsoft reviews response to their second cloud profitability eBook, which finished its ‘rolling thunder’ rollout at WPC, and looks at what’s ahead to assist with partner profitability.