Articles by Mark Cox

Sennheiser SD Office, a single-sided DECT wireless headset
Distribution

Sennheiser expands Canadian distribution with Tech Data, Run Distribution deals

June 8, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Sennheiser expands Canadian distribution with Tech Data, Run Distribution deals
Sennheiser, best known for its premium consumer products, already has a strong distribution network in Canada, but adds two more distributors to generate more opportunities and stimulate even greater awareness of its presence in the commercial space.

Channel Programs

Dell reports solid channel growth in Q1

June 8, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell reports solid channel growth in Q1
Dell indicated good progress on their green fields discount initiative, overall commercial business, and partner education efforts. While the number of partners using Dell financing jumped considerably in Q1, the company wants more participation there. Plus, still no firm date on when Dell will team up with SYNNEX in Canada.

Unified Communications

Plantronics rounds out noise cancelling office portfolio with first wireless stereo UC headset

June 8, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Plantronics rounds out noise cancelling office portfolio with first wireless stereo UC headset
The Voyager Focus UC becomes the top of the line model in Plantronics’ noise cancelling office products line. It also features Dynamic Mute Alert feature, which senses and alerts users when they are trying to talk when muted.

Managed Services

AVG Business opens Ottawa Global Center of Excellence for Managed Workplace

June 5, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on AVG Business opens Ottawa Global Center of Excellence for Managed Workplace
AVG’s SMB-focused business unit has added so many new sales and support staff they outgrew their old offices, and they are still in aggressive growth mode, recruiting new partners to sell their managed services.

Managed Services

Waterloo’s Auvik Networks entering RMM market with MSP Edition

June 4, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Waterloo’s Auvik Networks entering RMM market with MSP Edition
The Canadian cloud-based network management software provider has modified its software to produce a version for the MSP market that has some pluses it believes are missing from the market now. The plan is to sell it direct for a while to establish proof of concept while they work on building a proper channel program.

Channel Programs

Pulse Secure partner program to test competency, abandon certifications

June 3, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Pulse Secure partner program to test competency, abandon certifications
The Juniper spinoff launches its first partner program, to which old Juniper partners have to apply, and says that it has some unique differentiating factors.

Cloud

Microsoft to launch first local Canadian data centres

June 3, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft to launch first local Canadian data centres
Microsoft’s announcement that it will set up data centres in Toronto and Quebec City is big news for Microsoft, for the provinces and cities involved – and for Microsoft partners.

Hardware

Dell launches Internet of Things initiative with new division, IoT gateway product

June 2, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell launches Internet of Things initiative with new division, IoT gateway product
Dell is looking to define itself as being able to work with the operational technology (OT) necessary for the Internet of Things as well as IT, with the new gateway product customized for the purpose to do both.

Storage

Pure Storage moves into hardware with its next-gen FlashArray

June 2, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Pure Storage moves into hardware with its next-gen FlashArray
In a trio of announcements, Pure announces its next-gen array, which features its first custom built hardware, as well as Pure1, an integrated cloud-based management and support offering, and Evergreen Storage, which is both a vision and a new upgrade model.

Mobility

Lookout brings its enterprise mobile security to market

June 2, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Lookout brings its enterprise mobile security to market
Lookout’s enterprise offering, which leverages the data set from its 70 million consumer customers, will be sold entirely through channel partners, and entirely through distribution, which in North America will be Ingram Micro.