Collaboration

Microsoft Surface 3
Channel Programs

Microsoft expands channel access to Surface

July 13, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Microsoft expands channel access to Surface
Microsoft announced long-awaited plans to put its Surface tablets into the hands and onto the linecards of more of its partners.

Cloud

SAP makes new partner initiatives in Business ByDesign

July 7, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on SAP makes new partner initiatives in Business ByDesign
With a view to both expanding the number of skilled ByDesign people available to partners, and sharpening partners’ ability to use and extend the solution, SAP has launched several ByDesign initiatives, including a partner enablement portal and collaborative tool, and a certification program through Open SAP.

Printing and Imaging

Ricoh Canada buys western Canadian VAR Graycon to accelerate managed IT services business

June 30, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Ricoh Canada buys western Canadian VAR Graycon to accelerate managed IT services business
Ricoh, which is building up its services business to offset a decline in print volumes, sees Graycon as providing new capabilities for them in the west. The company also suggested they would be interested in a similar acquisition in the east.

Hardware

Microsoft Surface Hub large-screen collaboration device available July 1

June 11, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft Surface Hub large-screen collaboration device available July 1
Partners who have been selling A/V gear should like the Surface Hub, which Microsoft is touting as a product that will make traditional high end conferencing systems and displays obsolete, as well as replace projectors, wireless receivers and digital whiteboards.

Cloud

Avaya buys Richmond Hill’s Esna to easily integrate multi-vendor communications into cloud apps

May 29, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya buys Richmond Hill’s Esna to easily integrate multi-vendor communications into cloud apps
Esna will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avaya, with Avaya ‘planning to adopt’ Esna’s over 200 active channel partners. Avaya also said the deal will provide existing Avaya partners with significant new opportunities.

Distribution

ScanSource, Mitel launch new North American distribution agreement

April 1, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on ScanSource, Mitel launch new North American distribution agreement
In the U.S., ScanSource will carry Mitel’s entire product line, but in Canada, where the core Mitel products do not go through distribution at all, ScanSource will be limited to the Aastra product line.

Software

SAP strengthens BI tools for both enterprise and SMB

March 10, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on SAP strengthens BI tools for both enterprise and SMB
The enterprise tool, SAP Predictive Analysis 2.0, now integrates Predictive Analysis and SAP’s InfiniteInsight solution, and SAP thinks it will offer a strong partner play.

Martin Risau, senior vice president of the analytics & data management practice at HP Enterprise Services
Big Data

Why enterprises should redefine BI to unleash power of Big Data

February 26, 2015 Guest Poster 1
HP Enterprise Services’ Martin Risau and Dragan Rakovich offer their view on how enterprises can get the most out of the data their businesses generate.

Distribution

Ingram Micro to distribute Calgary’s unique SMART Technologies’ digital capture board

February 6, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Ingram Micro to distribute Calgary’s unique SMART Technologies’ digital capture board
SMART kapp is a unique electronic replacement for dry erase boards and flipcharts which will appeal to A/V resellers, but could be sold by anyone who sells into an office environment.

Mobility

Plantronics enhances office products portfolio with four new devices

February 5, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Plantronics enhances office products portfolio with four new devices
A key theme with these releases is the adapation of superior noise cancelling technology, which was originally deployed in the consumer space, for enterprise products.