Articles by Mark Cox

Channel Programs

Pure Storage adds Microsoft, Citrix to FlashStack CI reference architectures

June 22, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Pure Storage adds Microsoft, Citrix to FlashStack CI reference architectures
New solutions for Microsoft SQL Server and Citrix XenDesktop, and a new FlashStack CI support program for resellers who don’t provide Level 1 and 2 support, will expand FlashStack’s partner reach. Pure is also looking to reach deeper into Canada, with two western road shows following up today’s announcement.

Channel Programs

Xangati eyes managed services partners in channel program reboot

June 22, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Xangati eyes managed services partners in channel program reboot
The virtualized performance management solutions startup has made unsuccessful channel initiatives before, but now armed with personnel and resources to execute, they are looking to enlist Citrix and VMware partners with professional services practices – and for the first time, MSPs.

Channel Programs

D&H Canada and Cisco unveil joint partner enablement program

June 19, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on D&H Canada and Cisco unveil joint partner enablement program
While many distributor programs tend to be limited term and focused on moving specific products for vendors, this program, a first of its type for D&H, is long-term and focused on providing assistance to help resellers build up their Cisco practice.

Channel Programs

Unitrends looks to recruit smaller VARs with move to 100 per cent channel model

June 19, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Unitrends looks to recruit smaller VARs with move to 100 per cent channel model
Unitrends only added a channel component to their business in 2013, and now are dispensing with direct entirely to give partners the confidence their vendor won’t poach deals from them, which will in turn encourage them to invest more in Unitrends.

Printing and Imaging

New HP Access Control features should enhance print channel opportunities

June 18, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on New HP Access Control features should enhance print channel opportunities
A new Proactive Print Advisor service is another strong channel play in a series of new and enhanced print solutions and services HP has announced.

Cloud

Asigra building brand, partner opportunities, with aggressive marketing campaign

June 18, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Asigra building brand, partner opportunities, with aggressive marketing campaign
Asigra has a different set of marketing concerns than a decade ago, when customers didn’t know their name at all, but they are continuing to ramp up their efforts.

Solution Provider News

Toronto’s Storage Guardian’s new data centre protects data, business operations

June 18, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Toronto’s Storage Guardian’s new data centre protects data, business operations
Toronto solution provider Storage Guardian has opened a new data centre, which also contains space and facilities to provide temporary office space to customers whose offices are closed by a disaster.

Cloud

Asigra lays out strategy for prosperity in potentially tough cloud backup world

June 17, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Asigra lays out strategy for prosperity in potentially tough cloud backup world
At its partner event, Asigra discussed its continuing strategy for keeping itself and its partners competitive in a world of sinking backup margins, including new ways to cut partners’ hardware costs and create new revenue opportunities for them.

Data Centre

Accelerite acquisition of Convirture gives partners end-to-end management solution

June 17, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Accelerite acquisition of Convirture gives partners end-to-end management solution

Adding Convirture’s day to day operations management capability to Accelerite’s disaster recovery focus provides a single pane of glass with a consolidated view of the management of the multiple clouds and internal virtualization technologies in modern hybrid data centres.

Cloud

New Asigra appliance to hedge against coming flat zero backup prices

June 16, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on New Asigra appliance to hedge against coming flat zero backup prices
In a grim future of zero backup pricing, Asigra’s CEO told partners their future profitability – and survival – depends on their ability to build trust with the customer, and on their ability to sell additional services around it. An archiving capability, centred on Asigra’s new appliance, is a key part of this.