Managed Services

Distribution

AVG adds EarthBend to North American distribution in new specialty distribution emphasis

May 24, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on AVG adds EarthBend to North American distribution in new specialty distribution emphasis
AVG continues its strategy of adding more focused, value-added distributors with EarthBend, which brings an MSP background and experience with AVG’s Managed Workplace solution, as well as a strong regional presence in both the American mid-west and Canadian prairies.

Panel members Struters (second from left), Dawson (centre) and Perez (second from right), flanked by Intel Security's Richard Steranka (left) and Ken McCray (right)
Managed Services

MSSP panel dishes on pains, pleasures of managed security model

May 17, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on MSSP panel dishes on pains, pleasures of managed security model
Three top managed security service providers on why managed security is different from other managed services.

Cloud

KEMP 2.0 releases KEMP360 application delivery framework

May 11, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on KEMP 2.0 releases KEMP360 application delivery framework
The new two-component application infrastructure monitoring and management solution is aimed at the enterprise, where the former SMB-focused vendor has been increasingly looking for new business.

Managed Services

Sophos launches partner program for MSPs

May 9, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Sophos launches partner program for MSPs
While Sophos has MSP partners, they have not had a program that provides support for their specific business model and requirements before now. MSP Connect is aligned with the ways MSPs sell, and provides rewards for upselling and cross-selling Sophos’ broad range of security services.

Cloud

EMC refines enterprise cloud strategy with Virtustream Storage Cloud

May 3, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on EMC refines enterprise cloud strategy with Virtustream Storage Cloud
The new Web-scale object storage platform will extend on-prem EMC storage and backup applications into the cloud, and continue the trend of requiring the assistance of more channel partners than had been the case when Virtustream was acquired.

Managed Services

HPE releases hybrid compute managed service for small business/ROBO market

April 13, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on HPE releases hybrid compute managed service for small business/ROBO market
The HPE ProLiant Easy Connect Managed Hybrid solution is a subscription based offering for small businesses and ROBO environments. But while American partners get access to it in a couple weeks, Canadian ones will have to wait a while – like until Q4.

Channel Programs

Riverbed expands partner program, will add subscription offerings

April 6, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Riverbed expands partner program, will add subscription offerings
Riverbed adds new tracks for integrators and managed services, extends rebates and incentives, and is aiming to have all its offerings capable to being offered by partners on a subscription basis by the end of 2016.

Channel Communities

CompTIA rethinks approach to member education with new Channel Standards program

March 22, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on CompTIA rethinks approach to member education with new Channel Standards program
The IT Solution Provider Standard is the first of five scheduled to roll out this year. The Channel Standards differ from the Trustmarks in their emphasis on imparting best practices to make the business better, rather than earning a badge to use in your marketing.

Cloud

NetApp CEO says new tech trends aid NetApp

March 10, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on NetApp CEO says new tech trends aid NetApp
At a customer event in Toronto on Wednesday, NetApp CEO George Kurian laid out the company’s case to key customers and partners why the storage pioneer is well positioned for the new age of IT.

Mobility

Xirrus enhances MSP support with CommandCenter to simply Wi-Fi-as-a-Service management

March 1, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Xirrus enhances MSP support with CommandCenter to simply Wi-Fi-as-a-Service management
In addition to CommandCenter, which greatly simplifies the provisioning of new customers, Xirrus is also announcing enhancements to their MSP program to improve benefits.