Azure

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at WPC 2016.
Channel Programs

Digital transformation focus creates larger opportunity: Nadella

July 11, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Digital transformation focus creates larger opportunity: Nadella
Kicking off the company’s 2016 Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella outlines what a focus on the digital transformation of business will mean to both Microsoft and its partners.

Renée Bergeron, senior vice president of global cloud channel at Ingram Micro
Cloud

Enhanced Odin platform highlights Ingram Micro WPC cloud messaging to Microsoft partners

July 11, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Enhanced Odin platform highlights Ingram Micro WPC cloud messaging to Microsoft partners
In addition to the Odin enhancements, Ingram Micro is emphasizing the relevance of their new referral program for Advisors, in the wake of Microsoft’s announcement that the program is being sunsetted.

Cloud

Datadog responds to Azure momentum with new support for Azure Resource Manager

July 11, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Datadog responds to Azure momentum with new support for Azure Resource Manager
Enterprise-focused cloud monitoring service Datadog also supports the rest of the Microsoft stack, and assisted by select channel partners, aspires to be a one-stop shop to monitor the Microsoft ecosystem.

Cloud

Equinix, Arrow partner to offer preconfigured hybrid cloud packages

July 8, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Equinix, Arrow partner to offer preconfigured hybrid cloud packages
The turnkey solutions are expected to build up Equinix’s base of MSP and VAR partners, something that has been a focus for the company this year. Equinix is especially interested in partners with strong Microsoft practices.

Cloud

Archive360 moves beyond mailboxes with Azure archive solution to migrate gray data

June 27, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Archive360 moves beyond mailboxes with Azure archive solution to migrate gray data
Archive2Azure leverages technology from the company’s flagship solution to migrate Office 365 mailbox archives, but is a fundamentally different type of solution, designed for the rest of the data beyond the mailboxes, so companies can get rid of their legacy on-prem storage completely.

Rocco Seyboth, vice president of marketing at BitTitan
Managed Services

BitTitan seeking Canadian expansion after landing first external funding

June 13, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on BitTitan seeking Canadian expansion after landing first external funding
BitTitan’s 15 million (U.S.) in series A financing arrives just as the vendor feels cloud expansion is about to explode in Canada and around the world.

Channel Programs

Citrix contemplating unique model for upcoming Cloud Partner Program

May 26, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix contemplating unique model for upcoming Cloud Partner Program
A key part of the Cloud Partner program, now slated to roll out with the new fiscal year in January, will be working out how to best handle joint Citrix-Microsoft partners around Microsoft Azure.

Cloud

Citrix, Microsoft announce major expansion of long-term partnership

May 25, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix, Microsoft announce major expansion of long-term partnership
Key elements include Azure becoming Citrix’s preferred cloud platform, and Microsoft Skype for Business now being optimized for the Citrix VDI environment, the only one to receive this preferred treatment.

Cloud

Citrix CEO Tatarinov lays out Citrix vision, and strategy to get there

May 24, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix CEO Tatarinov lays out Citrix vision, and strategy to get there
Citrix CEO Kiril Tatarinov, at his first Citrix Synergy since taking over the company helm earlier this year, outlined to the company’s customers where he plans to take the company.

Cloud

SAP, Microsoft expand partnership through deepened cloud integrations and support

May 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on SAP, Microsoft expand partnership through deepened cloud integrations and support
None of the announcements, which included joint validation for SAP HANA on the Azure platform, were earth-shattering, but they do speak to the significance of the relationship between the two long-time allies and how they see the market moving.