Virtualization

Small Business

Dell announces new Wyse VDI appliance for sub 350 seat users

May 5, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell announces new Wyse VDI appliance for sub 350 seat users
Unlike two recently announced Dell VDI appliances, this one is aimed at the smaller market, and attractively priced for it, although by design it has very limited scalability beyond the 350 seat point.

Networking

Citrix CloudBridge Virtual WAN to provide ‘always-on’ branch availability

April 27, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix CloudBridge Virtual WAN to provide ‘always-on’ branch availability
Available as a physical or virtual appliance, the new offering is designed to provide reliability at reasonable cost to server-less remote locations which are about as helpless as Chromebooks if network access is lost.

Cloud

Veeam to continue driving alliances, channel recruitment

April 16, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Veeam to continue driving alliances, channel recruitment
In addition to putting more investment into their alliances strategy and their channel, Veeam is encouraging traditional partners to take advantage of the Veeam Availability Suite’s new cloud capabilities.

Distribution

StorMagic signs on Arrow to distribute its ROBO-focused virtual storage solution in North America

March 25, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on StorMagic signs on Arrow to distribute its ROBO-focused virtual storage solution in North America
StorMagic is looking to re-engage with the channel and build up a strong channel business for its sophisticated solution aimed and priced for SMBs and ROBO environments, which will include more strong Canadian partners.

Virtualization

3D apps, desktop Linux support among VMware Horizon 6 innovations

March 13, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on 3D apps, desktop Linux support among VMware Horizon 6 innovations
VMware still trails Citrix in the virtual desktop space, and is trying to make up ground by emphasizing some of the new and enhanced features that are unique to Horizon 6.

Mobility

Citrix is a security company: Citrix Canada’s Michael Murphy

February 25, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix is a security company: Citrix Canada’s Michael Murphy
In a wide-ranging discussion of where Citrix is headed in the Canadian market, their country manager also identifies key issues with competition, mobility, storage, and the impact of recent announced changes to the partner program.

Data Centre

Dell announces next generation of XC series converged appliances with Nutanix software

February 25, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell announces next generation of XC series converged appliances with Nutanix software
The new offerings benefit from the thirteenth generation of Dell servers, but also have new configurability and support flexibility options which can bring down the price point significantly.

Data Centre

Scale Computing enhances hyperconverged platform interface for SMBs in 6.0 release

February 24, 2015 Mark Cox 1
Scale is placing its bet on the SMB space, and the latest changes to its platform bring more of the simplicity that market wants.

VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger
Cloud

Something for every partner in pre-PEX launches, VMware says

February 2, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Something for every partner in pre-PEX launches, VMware says
On the eve of its partner conference, VMware introduces major new releases of vSphere and vSAN, outlines its vision for virtual networking across clouds.

Channel Programs

Citrix reshapes partner program along specialization lines

January 13, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix reshapes partner program along specialization lines
The new Citrix Solution Advisor program is a fundamental restructuring of Citrix’s partnering approach, which introduces Specialist Tracks to recognize and reward areas of focus.