Networking

Managed Services

RapidFire Tools increasing effort in Canadian market

February 23, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on RapidFire Tools increasing effort in Canadian market
Network assessment tool maker RapidFire already does a good business in Canada, but thinks the Canadian market can be developed much more fully, and is making a major Northern push in 2018.

Managed Services

OPAQ adds Palo Alto Networks as key partner on midmarket-focused security-as-a-service platform

February 22, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on OPAQ adds Palo Alto Networks as key partner on midmarket-focused security-as-a-service platform
Palo Alto Networks next-gen firewall offerings are now available as a service on OPAQ’s platform, in one of only two strategic relationships that OPAQ has.

Mobility

Riverbed enhances SteelConnect SD-WAN with Xirrus integration, AWS and Azure direct connectivity

February 21, 2018 Mark Cox 1
A third enhancement, new SteelConnect support for LTE uplinks, is more of a niche feature in North America except in remote regions, although it is still sometimes used as a backup system.

Channel Programs

New Masergy global channel chief touts analytics approach to channel management

January 24, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on New Masergy global channel chief touts analytics approach to channel management
William Madison, the new global channel chief at Masergy, credits the company’s analytics-based remodelling of their partner program as a major key to their success in the last year.

Mobility

Extreme Networks introduces first new solution from Zebra acquisition with ExtremeLocation

January 18, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Extreme Networks introduces first new solution from Zebra acquisition with ExtremeLocation
The new Extreme Networks retail offering is a location-based platform that gives retailers real time analytics data about customers, and lets them manage associates’ interactions with them as well.

Channel Programs

Riverbed unveils new channel chief and significantly changed channel program

January 17, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Riverbed unveils new channel chief and significantly changed channel program
Ex-Cisco veteran Bridget Bisnette has been formally announced as global Riverbed channel chief, along with a much more simplified – and very different – channel program aimed at penetrating lower into the enterprise and midmarket from Riverbed’s traditional sweet spot.

Mobility

Cradlepoint shifts business model and lowers price points with new NetCloud subscription pricing

January 16, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Cradlepoint shifts business model and lowers price points with new NetCloud subscription pricing
The new, simplified solution packages for Cradlepoint Branch, Mobile and IoT solutions are not an option, but will become the sole route to market after May.

Managed Services

HP vet Ken Archer lays out vision and plans as new Nectar Chief Revenue Officer

January 12, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on HP vet Ken Archer lays out vision and plans as new Nectar Chief Revenue Officer
Nectar creates a new Chief Revenue Officer position to coordinate the company’s different channel routes to market.

Channel Programs

Security cloud provider OPAQ Networks unveils partner program in shift to 100 per cent channel model

January 4, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Security cloud provider OPAQ Networks unveils partner program in shift to 100 per cent channel model
OPAQ Networks says their program, like their platform itself, is all integrated through the cloud, making its components easier for partners to use.

Cloud

Channel needs to make its decisions on cloud in 2018: Palo Alto Networks

December 22, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Channel needs to make its decisions on cloud in 2018: Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks Canadian country manager Rob Lunney emphasizes that both the opportunities and dangers of the cloud for the channel are greater than ever, and partners need to be proactive in adjusting their business models to the future.