Analytics

Cloud

Masergy sees new Cloud Contact Center solution as entrée to enterprise

February 13, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Masergy sees new Cloud Contact Center solution as entrée to enterprise
The new offering complements Masergy’s established Unified Communication as a Service solution, and may also prompt some customers using that solution to switch to this one.

Backup

Cloud data management vendor Rubrik looks to accelerate strong growth with new sales hire

February 10, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Cloud data management vendor Rubrik looks to accelerate strong growth with new sales hire
New Rubrik VP of Sales Mark Smith wants to get a lot more partners bringing in over a million dollars in sales, to help push the company’s already strong sales to new heights.

Internet of Things

Hitachi deepens IoT play with new Hitachi Video Analytics

February 10, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Hitachi deepens IoT play with new Hitachi Video Analytics
Hitachi adds a Video Analytics solution to its Internet of Things portfolio, which also includes the Hitachi Video Management Platform and the Hitachi Visualization Suite.

Big Data

Major changes to partner go-to-market among IDC 2017 channel predictions

February 2, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Major changes to partner go-to-market among IDC 2017 channel predictions
Other IDC projections for the year ahead include strong partner moves into the digital transformation market, an emphasis on Customer Success programs, and changes to vendor Partner Success models.

Managed Services

Webroot targets different partner segments with three new product announcements

February 2, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Webroot targets different partner segments with three new product announcements
Webroot SecureAnywhere DNS Protection is aimed at the SMB MSP market, while Webroot FlowScape Analytics is more for MSSPs and Webroot BrightCloud Streaming Malware Detection is primarily an OEM play.

Storage

Pure Storage announces GA for FlashBlade unstructured workload solution

January 26, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Pure Storage announces GA for FlashBlade unstructured workload solution
FlashBlade has been in Directed Availability since last July, but it is now broadly available to all customers through the Pure Storage partner channel.

Storage

IBM extends all-flash throughout DS8880 line

January 12, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on IBM extends all-flash throughout DS8880 line
IBM announces all-flash versions of its full DS8880 portfolio, but for the channel, impact is likely to be slight because compared to other IBM storage families, this one has a more limited partner presence.

Incoming Tech Data CEO Rich Hume
Distribution

Leader of Tech Data integration effort with Avnet provides update

December 15, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Leader of Tech Data integration effort with Avnet provides update
The structure of the new company is in the process of being set, and the acquisition remains on track to close in the first half of 2017.

Big Data

Talking IOT and analytics with Colin Blair of Avnet Technology Solutions [video]

December 13, 2016 Robert Dutt 2
Colin Blair, Avnet vice president of IOT, analytics and cognitive, shares how the distributor is helping solution providers tackle some big opportunities.

Cloud

Ingram Micro execs look at what’s ahead

December 1, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Ingram Micro execs look at what’s ahead
Ingram Micro did not make any new announcements at their ONE show this week. They did, however, give a sneak peek at some things partners can expect to see in 2017.