Articles by Mark Cox

Mobility

Dell extends automated ProSupport Plus service to PCs and tablets

February 11, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell extends automated ProSupport Plus service to PCs and tablets
Dell sees a strong channel play for this extended support bundle for endpoints, and expects partners will do even better than they did with the initial bundles for the data centre.

Security

ESET expands DESlock+ partnership to provide iOS encryption

February 10, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on ESET expands DESlock+ partnership to provide iOS encryption
Timed with ESET’s rollout of iOS mobile product lines, they see DESlock+ as providing partner cross-sell opportunities because it is simple to deploy, evaluate and use.

Cloud

Asigra broadens converged data protection in Version 13

February 10, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Asigra broadens converged data protection in Version 13
The long-time cloud backup solution’s new features include Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service enablement, open infrastructure support for FreeBSD on ZFS and CentOS, and integration with Linear Tape File System for archiving.

Distribution

Ingram Micro to distribute Calgary’s unique SMART Technologies’ digital capture board

February 6, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Ingram Micro to distribute Calgary’s unique SMART Technologies’ digital capture board
SMART kapp is a unique electronic replacement for dry erase boards and flipcharts which will appeal to A/V resellers, but could be sold by anyone who sells into an office environment.

Mobility

Plantronics enhances office products portfolio with four new devices

February 5, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Plantronics enhances office products portfolio with four new devices
A key theme with these releases is the adapation of superior noise cancelling technology, which was originally deployed in the consumer space, for enterprise products.

Cloud

Dimension Data Canada deepens western Canada presence with area sales director hire

February 4, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dimension Data Canada deepens western Canada presence with area sales director hire
Alberta’s oil-related problems are leading to more interest in cloud and managed services, which can be funded from operational budgets at a time when staff and capital budgets are being trimmed.

Computers

Lenovo nearing full integration of growing server business

February 4, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Lenovo nearing full integration of growing server business
In a review of Lenovo’s North American quarter from a channel perspective, Chris Frey also talked channel growth, tablets and PCs, and why we are still waiting on the new North American mobility strategy.

Channel Programs

Enterprise incents coming to Lenovo partner program

February 4, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Enterprise incents coming to Lenovo partner program
Lenovo has rewarded partners for bringing in new SMB business, but that incent will soon be extended to the enterprise, with margins pledged to be ‘robust.’

Big Data

SAP reinvents Business Suite with HANA in biggest launch in company history

February 3, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on SAP reinvents Business Suite with HANA in biggest launch in company history
SAP Business Suite is reinvented in SAP S/4HANA, where the S stands for Simple and the 4 for the fourth generation.

Software

EMC rides EVO:RAIL with VSPEX BLUE hyper-converged infrastructure appliance

February 3, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on EMC rides EVO:RAIL with VSPEX BLUE hyper-converged infrastructure appliance
EMC finally unveils its hyper-converged offering, with a key differentiator being a Market feature that allows EMC and ecosystem partner software to be downloaded.