Microsoft

Podcasts

The Buzz: OMERS-backed Integris targets Australian MSP First Focus, AI agents weaponized for infostealing, M365 E7 launches today

May 1, 2026 Robert Dutt 0
Today’s channel headlines: OMERS-backed Integris announces intent to acquire First Focus, the largest SMB-focused MSP in Australia and New Zealand; NeuShield partners with Ontario-based Data Guards on ransomware recovery that restored 6.2TB in fifteen minutes; and ThreatDown’s ThreatLabs Europe discovers AI agent skills being weaponized to deliver the GachiLoader infostealer. Plus Sublime Security goes 100% channel, Konica Minolta’s AccurioPress C5080, Forescout’s 90-city Mission:Possible partner tour, and Microsoft 365 E7 goes generally available today.

Podcasts

The Buzz: SAS Innovate 2026 special – Viya opens to AI agents, Navigator introduced

April 30, 2026 Robert Dutt 0
A special edition of The Buzz from SAS Innovate 2026 in Washington. SAS opens Viya to external AI agents via MCP, AI Navigator gets automated discovery and lands on Azure Marketplace, and SAS’s chief operating officer gives the most candid AI ROI read of the week. Plus: Microsoft beats Q3 with 40% Azure growth and Copilot at 20 million seats with M365 E7 landing tomorrow, Lenovo acquires Phoenix Technologies’ firmware business, Auvik launches Aurora AI agents for MSPs, and Aviatrix introduces agentic AI containment through the channel.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Google Cloud launches Partner Network, Microsoft and OpenAI alter revenue share, and Guardz highlights non-human identity threat

April 29, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: Google Cloud launches Partner Network, Microsoft and OpenAI alter revenue share, and Guardz highlights non-human identity threat
Today on The Buzz: Google Cloud targets Microsoft with a new partner program, OpenAI and Microsoft revise their partnership terms, and Guardz releases its 2026 MSP Threat Report.

Podcasts

The Buzz: AI job cuts top 100,000 for the year, Keeper Security targets phishing at the credential level, and Pia brings zero-touch service desk to Microsoft Teams

April 28, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: AI job cuts top 100,000 for the year, Keeper Security targets phishing at the credential level, and Pia brings zero-touch service desk to Microsoft Teams
More than 100,000 tech jobs have been eliminated industry-wide in the first four months of 2026, with AI cited as a direct cause in nearly half of the cuts. Keeper Security launches real-time phishing defence at the point of credential entry. And Pia’s new Teams-native application brings zero-touch ticket resolution to MSP service desks.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Canadian cyberattacks surge, Microsoft’s AI bundle overhaul lands Friday, and OpenAI goes channel

April 27, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: Canadian cyberattacks surge, Microsoft’s AI bundle overhaul lands Friday, and OpenAI goes channel
New CDW Canada and IDC research finds Canadian enterprise cyberattacks jumped 80 percent in the past year, with cloud infection rates at a record high. Microsoft drops new agentic AI-powered 365 bundles on Thursday, May 1. And OpenAI makes a major channel hire, signalling a shift toward building a real partner program.

Channel Programs

OutSystems’ Ben Yerushalmi on Elevate, agentic AI, and why partner work is moving to the front end

April 20, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on OutSystems’ Ben Yerushalmi on Elevate, agentic AI, and why partner work is moving to the front end
OutSystems SVP of Partners and Alliances Ben Yerushalmi joins In The Channel to discuss Elevate, the vendor’s new outcome-based partner program built for the agentic AI era. The conversation covers where partners are actually generating revenue with agentic AI today, why the services model is shifting from implementation to front-end advisory, and how OutSystems thinks about competing – and coexisting – with Microsoft, ServiceNow, and Salesforce.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Fleet goes 100 percent channel, Scale Computing revamps partner program, and N-able’s AI advice

April 20, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: Fleet goes 100 percent channel, Scale Computing revamps partner program, and N-able’s AI advice
Today’s channel briefing covers Fleet’s pivot to a 100 percent channel sales model, Scale Computing’s new Velocity Partner Program, and a pragmatic approach to AI monetization from N-able.

Cloud

Microsoft announces expansion of  Open Data Initiative with Adobe and SAP

March 27, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft announces expansion of  Open Data Initiative with Adobe and SAP
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appeared at the Adobe Insight event to highlight the extended initiative, which also saw a demo of how Unilever uses ODI to help reduce their plastic packaging.

Cloud

Adobe doubles down on account-based experiences with extended Microsoft partnership

March 27, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Adobe doubles down on account-based experiences with extended Microsoft partnership
Adobe also announced a brand new partnership with ServiceNow which the companies say will lead to significant advances in the integration of customer experience data.

Cloud

Cloud software suite provider Zoho looks to add to differentiated value – and values

March 26, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Cloud software suite provider Zoho looks to add to differentiated value – and values
Zoho, which has expanded its CRM application into a suite of over 40 applications that sells for $30 per user per month, is proud of some elements of their business and product set that they acknowledge are somewhat offbeat.