Al Nasturzio, CompTIA’s new Canadian business development manager, comes to the role with a slightly atypical skillset. The initiatives he has underway include replicating in Canada a highly successful U.S. CompTIA program to train veterans and help them find jobs.
ConnectWise stressed two main themes at their IT Nation Event in Orlando – the need to further empower MSPs, and the need for MSPs to develop their security capabilities. Those two themes were closely intertwined, as ConnectWise is rolling out multiple tools and programs to enhance both, with more to come.
The moves include the reabsorption of the Relyenz division within CharTec, and the repurchase of the major investment ConnectWise had in CharTec, although the latter does not impact CharTec’s strong partnership with ConnectWise.
Red Hat’s touring trailer is focused on providing customers and partners with training and education on five top IT challenges the vendor sees as important opportunities.
Open source email and collaboration platform Zimbra has revitalized itself in recent years, to move forward despite threatening clouds in the environment.
StorageCraft is now offering a standard bundle with special pricing for the education market. Later this summer, they will also be introducing more complex integrated solutions for their vertical markets as well.
This third-party partnership will leverage Tech Data manufacturing and solution provider partners, as well as their internal resources, to collaborate with the MEV around digital transformation initiatives, especially for SMBs.
ViewSonic also announced two new commercial displays, the The ViewSonic CDE8600, a large 86-inch 4K digital signage display, and ViewSonic CDX5562, a 55-inch model with narrow bezels designed to be part of a large video wall.
Sophos also introduced Project Darwin, their initiative to integrate the machine learning technology they acquired with Invincea last year, and which has been limited to their Intercept X solution, into their broader Synchronized Security offering.
Mike Byrne, who has done this kind of work in the past at multiple companies, has joined Passportal as the Director of Community.
Another new certification, for IoT, is being developed but not yet ready. DigiCert is also looking to manage possible channel conflict issues through a new automated deal registration system, which is still in the process of being rolled out.
Two of the new certifications, which also add a new Master level to the Dell EMC Proven Professional program, are available now, with the others coming in April and June. While partners will be eligible to complete them when they roll out, they will not immediately become part of the company’s partner program.
Ex-Citrix hand Michael Berman becomes IGEL’s first Sales Engineer in Canada, joining Shipman in the Toronto office. Compugen is named as the first Canadian-based IGEL Platinum partner.
The new 300 and 500 series models are significantly smaller and less expensive than HP’s original 3D product, and the new channel program is intended to bring more mainstream HP partners into 3D printing, particularly those whose business touches on education.
HP Canada president Mary Ann Yule on the opportunity HP sees in the Canadian education market, and how solution providers can profit on it.
In addition to the Chromebook 11 C732, Acer also announced a new ChromeBox offering, as well as a retail-focused convertible Chromebook.
HP responds to a change in both use cases and user expectations with the redesign of their All-in-One Zero Client.
2017 saw the largest AWS re:Invent event, and as a consequence, the largest ramping up of AWS’s training efforts there.
HP Canada president and CEO Mary Ann Yule offers four important thoughts on how partners can get the education they need to succeed in today’s market.
Educating customers – and partners – about pure play and hybrid cloud options is a critical part of the Avaya strategy.
