Microsoft

Microsoft Office chief Julia White
Software

Whither SharePoint? Microsoft says no

July 15, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Whither SharePoint? Microsoft says no
Microsoft fires back at rivals who say its eye is off its enterprise content platform as it turns it eyes to full engaging Office 365 customers.

Gavriella Schuster, corporate vice president of the One Commercial Partner organization at Microsoft
Channel Programs

Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider program goes mainstream

July 14, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider program goes mainstream
With more products, more partners, and more distribution, Microsoft is making its popular CSP program the main way partners sell its cloud services.

Microsoft Surface 3
Channel Programs

Microsoft expands channel access to Surface

July 13, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Microsoft expands channel access to Surface
Microsoft announced long-awaited plans to put its Surface tablets into the hands and onto the linecards of more of its partners.

Channel Programs

Pure Storage adds Microsoft, Citrix to FlashStack CI reference architectures

June 22, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Pure Storage adds Microsoft, Citrix to FlashStack CI reference architectures
New solutions for Microsoft SQL Server and Citrix XenDesktop, and a new FlashStack CI support program for resellers who don’t provide Level 1 and 2 support, will expand FlashStack’s partner reach. Pure is also looking to reach deeper into Canada, with two western road shows following up today’s announcement.

Sukh Randhawa, vice president of business operations at Tech Data Canada
Cloud

Tech Data brings TDCloud to Canada

June 18, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Tech Data brings TDCloud to Canada
The Tech Data Cloud Solutions Store offers a one-stop shop for solution providers to sell cloud services, and an opportunity to bring new cloud services to market.

Hardware

Microsoft Surface Hub large-screen collaboration device available July 1

June 11, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft Surface Hub large-screen collaboration device available July 1
Partners who have been selling A/V gear should like the Surface Hub, which Microsoft is touting as a product that will make traditional high end conferencing systems and displays obsolete, as well as replace projectors, wireless receivers and digital whiteboards.

Cloud

Microsoft to launch first local Canadian data centres

June 3, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft to launch first local Canadian data centres
Microsoft’s announcement that it will set up data centres in Toronto and Quebec City is big news for Microsoft, for the provinces and cities involved – and for Microsoft partners.

NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson
Cloud

NetSuite announces alliance with Microsoft

May 11, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on NetSuite announces alliance with Microsoft
How hyper-competitive NetSuite found an ally in a longtime rival as Microsoft transitions into a cloud-first, mobile-first company.

Channel Programs

Microsoft channel chief Sorgen talks up cloud to partners

May 11, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Microsoft channel chief Sorgen talks up cloud to partners
While the software giant is actively transforming itself into a cloud giant as well, its channel chief says partners need to take fuller advantage of what Microsoft can offer on this journey, and aggressively benchmark themselves in the transformation.

Storage

New Dell storage offerings enhance both old IT and new IT

May 6, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on New Dell storage offerings enhance both old IT and new IT
Dell unveils its new SCv2000 entry class array, the PS 6610, a new dense offering for the PS family along with new PS software, and Dell Storage with Microsoft Storage Spaces, which beefs up Dell’s software-defined portfolio.