Microsoft

Cloud

SAP, Microsoft expand partnership through deepened cloud integrations and support

May 18, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on SAP, Microsoft expand partnership through deepened cloud integrations and support
None of the announcements, which included joint validation for SAP HANA on the Azure platform, were earth-shattering, but they do speak to the significance of the relationship between the two long-time allies and how they see the market moving.

Cloud

Microsoft puts a data centre in every Canadian channel partner’s pocket

May 13, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft puts a data centre in every Canadian channel partner’s pocket
The going live this week of Microsoft’s two Canadian data centres opens up significant opportunities for both Microsoft – and its channel partners.

Notebooks

Lenovo launches new Chrome, Windows N-series laptops for K-12

May 10, 2016 Mark Cox 1
The new models include Lenovo’s first Yoga form factor for the K-12 market. Combat kits for the new offerings are also coming to channel partners.

Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst
Channel Programs

Red Hat boss sets sights on $5B

April 6, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Red Hat boss sets sights on $5B
Red Hat wants to grow its business dramatically over next five years, including tripling revenues through channel partners.

Cloud

Atera adds new features to integrated RMM-PSA platform in push into North America

March 31, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Atera adds new features to integrated RMM-PSA platform in push into North America
The new functionality enhances a platform for MSPs based on extreme simplicity and a lower price point. Atera is making a push into North America this year, in particular among solution providers who have been turned off by the complexity of getting an MSP business up and running.

Cloud

Accellion sees massive upside in decision to dance with Microsoft

March 31, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Accellion sees massive upside in decision to dance with Microsoft
Accellion joins the Microsoft Cloud Storage Partner Program, allowing its kiteworks platform to allow users to create or access Office 365 files from any device without having to save or upload the file back to the original content source.

Channel Programs

Microsoft launches first part of five part eBook for partners on winning with cloud

March 16, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft launches first part of five part eBook for partners on winning with cloud
The series, done in collaboration with IDC and available as free downloads, will continue with a new chapter every month until the final one rolls out at WPC in July.

Cloud

Microsoft Canadian customers, partners begin operational preview of Canadian Azure cloud

March 15, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft Canadian customers, partners begin operational preview of Canadian Azure cloud
Azure is the first Microsoft solution to be available as a preview from Microsoft datacenters in Toronto and Quebec City. General availability is scheduled for Q2, with Office 365 and Dynamics CRM Online to follow shortly after that.

Cloud

BES12 EMM platform first BlackBerry solution certified on Azure, more to follow

February 25, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on BES12 EMM platform first BlackBerry solution certified on Azure, more to follow
The companies anticipate that the BlackBerry BES12 enterprise mobility management platform being tested and certified for Azure and available in Azure Marketplace will significantly increase its exposure and sales.

Big Data

Microsoft touts innovative nature of new Dynamics AX, native to Azure

February 11, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft touts innovative nature of new Dynamics AX, native to Azure
Microsoft Dynamics AX went into the cloud in its last release, but the newest one is completely native to Azure, designed to fully leverage the hyperscale cloud for the first time.