Equinix expects that the new program, designed to end channel conflict and properly reward partners, will attract new partners and significantly raise channel revenues.
Brand new features include Outlook Calendar integration and Quickbooks Online integration, with integration of more accounting software on the roadmap.
Distributor Ingram Micro introduces Service Desk to help partners support their customers, expands the services available to VARs selling cloud services.
Solution providers have to move fast in the cloud, but also have to think long-term about customer service to maximize profitability, Renée Bergeron says.
The improved functionality will help Intronis partners have discussions with customers about providing higher-value recovery strategies rather than simply selling storage.
Industry organization CompTIA introduces its first vendor-facing trustmark, a program to certify cloud vendors that are looking to court solution providers.
The company rolls out smaller and less expensive appliance alternatives to Dropbox, and emphasizes that it relies on partners to show SMBs that their upfront cost is cheaper over time.
The new Workflow Manager feature will particularly help larger partners and those whose business revolves around remote app and remote desktop delivery. The company also discussed a new upcoming relationship with Google.
IBM and Microsoft enter the Leaders category in cloud in Canada for the first time, while eight companies classified as Major Players are closely grouped.
Vorex is broadening out from a direct sales model to enlisting a channel, signing up MSPs and VARs directly, and launching the first of what they intend will be multiple partnerships with RMM vendors.
The new version of Mitel’s cloud communication enhances partner capabilities to offer customers new functionality, while helping the partners deploy and provision their resources more effectively.
Avnet Technology Solutions poses some thought-provoking questions for Canadian solution providrs building out their cloud business in this contributed blog.
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.
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.