Microsoft

Channel Programs

Enabling partner-built solar systems big priority for Microsoft channel chief

July 12, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Enabling partner-built solar systems big priority for Microsoft channel chief
With the Interim now removed from her job title, Gavriella Schuster talked with ChannelBuzz about her priorities going forward, including both things partners can expect to be announced at WPC, and her priorities beyond that.

Unified Communications

Microsoft relationship now key for independent Polycom

July 12, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft relationship now key for independent Polycom
With the Mitel deal now off, Polycom needs to build its own bridge into a cloud future. Nick Tidd, who runs their Global Partner Organization, outlines the company’s plans to do just that, with one key objective being to get their own channel to sell Polycom and Microsoft together.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at WPC 2016.
Channel Programs

Digital transformation focus creates larger opportunity: Nadella

July 11, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Digital transformation focus creates larger opportunity: Nadella
Kicking off the company’s 2016 Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella outlines what a focus on the digital transformation of business will mean to both Microsoft and its partners.

Cloud

Datadog responds to Azure momentum with new support for Azure Resource Manager

July 11, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Datadog responds to Azure momentum with new support for Azure Resource Manager
Enterprise-focused cloud monitoring service Datadog also supports the rest of the Microsoft stack, and assisted by select channel partners, aspires to be a one-stop shop to monitor the Microsoft ecosystem.

Cloud

Microsoft exhorts Canadian partners to double down on innovation at WPC

July 11, 2016 Mark Cox 1
Microsoft’s announcement of its Canadian IMPACT award winners was a key part of the innovation theme at the regional Canadian keynote on the first day of the 2016 Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto.

Big Data

HDS targets midmarket with expanded UCP 2000 and new hyper-converged offering

June 21, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on HDS targets midmarket with expanded UCP 2000 and new hyper-converged offering
The HC V240, HDS’ first hyper-converged appliance, is based on the VMware stack, but the hyper-converged road map is likely to broaden out beyond that.

Rocco Seyboth, vice president of marketing at BitTitan
Managed Services

BitTitan seeking Canadian expansion after landing first external funding

June 13, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on BitTitan seeking Canadian expansion after landing first external funding
BitTitan’s 15 million (U.S.) in series A financing arrives just as the vendor feels cloud expansion is about to explode in Canada and around the world.

Storage

Scality adds Microsoft Active Directory and AWS IAM support in S3 API commitment

June 9, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Scality adds Microsoft Active Directory and AWS IAM support in S3 API commitment
Version 6.0 of Scality’s RING software significantly enhances their commitment to the AWS S3 protocol, which the company says will significantly expand their business with their vendor and reseller partners.

Channel Programs

Citrix contemplating unique model for upcoming Cloud Partner Program

May 26, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix contemplating unique model for upcoming Cloud Partner Program
A key part of the Cloud Partner program, now slated to roll out with the new fiscal year in January, will be working out how to best handle joint Citrix-Microsoft partners around Microsoft Azure.

Cloud

Citrix, Microsoft announce major expansion of long-term partnership

May 25, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix, Microsoft announce major expansion of long-term partnership
Key elements include Azure becoming Citrix’s preferred cloud platform, and Microsoft Skype for Business now being optimized for the Citrix VDI environment, the only one to receive this preferred treatment.