Consumer

Computers

Lenovo North American president Matt Zielinski talks strategy in Toronto visit

August 14, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Lenovo North American president Matt Zielinski talks strategy in Toronto visit
Growth in the consumer market is a critical part of the Lenovo strategy Zielinski laid out, but channel reinvigoration, particularly in the SMB space, is also vital.

Security

Cylance to sell home security product – through the channel

August 7, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Cylance to sell home security product – through the channel
CylancePROTECT Home Edition will eventually be marketed broadly online to consumers, but their initial launch is focused on their commercial channel, to sell along with the commercial product for employee home use.

Cloud

WPS Office enhances software, looking to take small business share from Office 365

April 11, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on WPS Office enhances software, looking to take small business share from Office 365
WPS Office has been primarily consumer and OEM-focused in North America, using a freemium model, but they have a paid product, and recently began to recruit a reseller channel.

Security

ESET rejigs, expands consumer lineup with v10 release

December 19, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on ESET rejigs, expands consumer lineup with v10 release
The ESET v10 release includes an upgraded and renamed enhanced product, as well as a new premium product that has two additional security features.

Distribution

Tech Data Canada makes play in unlocked smartphone market with Noetic agreement

March 17, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Tech Data Canada makes play in unlocked smartphone market with Noetic agreement
The distributor is expanding its presence in the unlocked smartphone market, to give solution providers more options, and to keep them well positioned in the event of a shift away from major carrier solidarity on the subsidy model and its phone plans.

Cloud

Avaya creates new company, Zang, with cloud communication and app-as-a-service platform

March 10, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya creates new company, Zang, with cloud communication and app-as-a-service platform
Mo Nezarati, the founder and CEO of Richmond Hill ON-based Esna, which Avaya acquired last year, has been named the GM of Zang, which was created as a separate company because its business model is radically different from Avaya’s. There will be channel opportunities though, and Zang is developing a channel program.

Big Data

Recurring revenue model key to Internet of Things success

February 1, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Recurring revenue model key to Internet of Things success
While the Internet of Things is a hot commodity, monetizing it, except in industrial sectors where similar work has been done for years, has been problematic. One expert says that the key to monetization is implementing it with a successful recurring revenue model.

Storage

Rubrik looks to redefine backup with converged scale-out platform with Apple-like experience

March 24, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Rubrik looks to redefine backup with converged scale-out platform with Apple-like experience
Rubrik sees itself as a threat to every backup vendor, with an offering that will focus on the mid-market at first, and will be sold 100 per cent through the channel.

Mobility

Consumer mobile security vendor Lookout sets sights on enterprise market

November 14, 2014 Mark Cox Comments Off on Consumer mobile security vendor Lookout sets sights on enterprise market
With new venture funding to transition their business to the enterprise, Lookout has hired its first VP of Enterprise Product and its first channel chief, and is looking to the channel to drive its enterprise business

Vincent Brissot, HP’s Vice President of Worldwide Channel Marketing for Printing and Personal Systems.
Mobility

HP targets mobile workplace with joint Microsoft-Intel program

July 14, 2014 Mark Cox Comments Off on HP targets mobile workplace with joint Microsoft-Intel program
A new partnership will see HP, Microsoft and Intel work together on a cohessive commercial mobility strategy from hardware through to go-to-market strategy.