Mark Cox

Absolute drops Software from name, Computrace from branding

In a complete overhaul of its branding to position itself for the future, Vancouver’s Absolute Software has renamed itself, and is phasing out the name of its flagship and top-selling brand.

New partner program, distribution deal, designed to drive Passportal growth

The partner program has been added following Passportal’s addition of the capacity to let partners white-label their password protection services to their own customers, whereas before they simply sold their partners these services to better run their own businesses.

Relyenz, new CharTec SaaS distribution division, looks to build large MSP security channel

Relyenz takes over the managed services that CharTec had added to sell to their MSP customers, has added a new one, and plans to keep adding new services backed by Tier 3 support.

CompTIA’s Canadian community tackles transitions in IT market

Key members of CompTIA’s Canadian community sat down with ChannelBuzz at the association’s ChannelCon 15 event in Chicago this week to discuss what they are working on this year.

AVG continues aggressive partner drive in both RMM, security sectors

AVG emphasizes that having a foot in two separate sectors helps partners drive their business, and notes that AVG’s requirement their channel account people be certified in Channel Management through CompTIA is one aspect of their commitment to being easy to work with.

DataMAPt looking to recruit channel for low-cost cloud network monitoring service

DataMAPt is looking to recruit primarily VAR partners, is focused mainly on the SMB space, and pledged rock bottom pricing to partners and commitment to a channel model.

ComputeNext sees cloud services marketplace close to going viral

The startup’s cloud brokerage services integrates cloud service providers looking to sell capacity with customers who license their platform to provide their own branded services. Channel partners like MSPs are the third part of the equation, but to date have been the slowest to come on board.

Diablo launches all flash DDR4 memory modules to replicate DRAM performance for much less

Diablo’s Memory1 technology leverage its unique memory-channel architecture, to get DRAM performance out of NAND flash and reduce server CAPEX costs by up to 75 per cent.

Getting your clients on the transformation path: CompTIA’s Thibodeaux

CompTIA’s Todd Thibodeaux laid out five steps that everyone in the IT business needs to do to overcome the many obstacles to getting customers to embrace transformation.

Strong partner response has security vendor Vijilan top year’s channel recruitment goal in two months

Vijilan formally entered the North American market in June, with a security service that layers on top of a managed service for their MSP and solution provider partners, who are their entire route to market.

New Datto offerings strengthen business continuity play

Datto also reported a significant increase in support from key Canadian partners, part of the ramifications from their recent increased investment in the Canadian market.

Quick Heal distribution deals have heavy Canadian flavour

Three distribution partners have been announced, two of whom are based in Quebec, although they have resellers across Canada and in the U.S. as well. All are focused security specialists, rather than broadline distributors.

nGenx targets MSPs with new partner program

nGenx has mainly sold through a telco agent channel in the past, but has redesigned its partner program to also appeal to MSPs, and plans to sign up a large number of them.

Citrix sees strong channel momentum, dismisses reported disaffection over Elliott deal

Citrix denies that last week’s Co-operation Agreement will have negative implications for partners, and says that strong showings by newly-specialized partners has the company on track to achieve this year’s channel goals.

Sage Canada to expand partner base when Sage Live arrives

While Sage is doing well in Canada, new cloud initiatives should strengthen it further. A cloud option for their Sage X3 offering is now available. Sage Live, a new type of cloud accounting product is now available in the U.S., will soon be in Canada, and will require new types of value-added partners.

Sage gears up for major Business Partner program redo

Mistakes were made in the last five years in terms of channel strategy, Sage admits. The vendor says it has learned from those mistakes, is now led by senior executives committed to a partner-driven strategy, and that VARs and consultants will soon see this by their deeds, not just by their words.

Sage restates commitment to small business

Sage emphasized that even as it moves its technology forward, it will not forget the SMB customers who built up its business. Sage also is making an effort to pick up new customers among millennials, and to increase its presence in the U.S.