Cisco

Cisco channel chief Wendy Bahr at Partner Summit 2016 in San Diego
Networking

Cisco pushes importance of multi-partner approach for digital transformation

June 26, 2017 Robert Dutt 1
As it turns its attention to taking the channel deeper on digital transformation, Cisco says connections to ecosystem partners will be imperative.

Partnerships

NetApp, Cisco bring SolidFire software to all-Cisco platform with FlexPod SF

June 22, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on NetApp, Cisco bring SolidFire software to all-Cisco platform with FlexPod SF
The second stage of the NetApp transformation strategy emphasizes expanding their market to buyers beyond traditional storage and infrastructure decision makers, and they think FlexPod SF will help them there.

Channel Programs

New service provider program highlights Pure Storage channel program enhancements

June 16, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on New service provider program highlights Pure Storage channel program enhancements

In addition to a three tier program for service providers, Pure Storage is adjusting how its internal sales people are compensated to remove what service providers believed was a tendency to favor working with traditional partners over ones selling Pure as a service.

Distribution

Ingram Micro Canada launches IOT business

June 14, 2017 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Ingram Micro Canada launches IOT business
Ingram Micro Canada takes the veil off its IOT business, offering solution providers a number of pre-integrated IOT solutions across a number of industries.

Distribution

Synnex: Westcon buy is distie deal with little overlap

June 8, 2017 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Synnex: Westcon buy is distie deal with little overlap
Synnex purchases Westcon Comstor’s North American business, gets access to new key vendors, including Cisco.

Mark Hill, vice president of digitization, Cisco
Software

Cisco streamlines software buys with new Enterprise Agreement

June 7, 2017 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Cisco streamlines software buys with new Enterprise Agreement
The new Cisco Enterprise Agreement brings together terms for all of Cisco’s software suites, provides options for customers to grow comfortably.

Marc Surplus, vice president of strategy, planning and programs for Cisco’s Global Partner Organization
Channel Programs

Cisco adds Global Gold partner tier

May 30, 2017 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Cisco adds Global Gold partner tier
Cisco Systems adds a new top-tier for big, global-focused partners, and hints it’s working on ways for other partners to work with customers globally.

Data Centre

Nutanix announces new software validations for HPE, Cisco servers

May 3, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Nutanix announces new software validations for HPE, Cisco servers
Nutanix also announced Nutanix Go, a program that allows acquisition of their appliances on a cloud-like purchase model, but for now, it’s only available in the U.S.

Backup

Cohesity adds object storage, NAS support in fourth gen secondary storage platform

April 4, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Cohesity adds object storage, NAS support in fourth gen secondary storage platform
Cohesity also announced its oversubscribed $90 million Series C funding round – which has a couple of interesting partner angles built in.

Distribution

Westcon to exclusively distribute unique Embrava UCC productivity tools in North America

April 3, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Westcon to exclusively distribute unique Embrava UCC productivity tools in North America
Embrava makes status indication tools, with the main focus being Skype for Business, although they support a broad range of United Communications-as-a-Service solutions.