Microsoft

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.

Mobility

Free Lenovo WRITEit app improves handwriting on Windows devices

April 16, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Free Lenovo WRITEit app improves handwriting on Windows devices
Today, the app supports four Windows 8 Lenovo devices, with more on the road map for this year. An Android version is in development.

Servers

Savision releases new HTML5-based dashboarding tool for Microsoft System Center

April 9, 2015 Mark Cox 1
Savision, a Dutch company who makes business service and cloud management solutions for Microsoft System Center, but whose R&D is mainly in Canada, has released a new dashboarding tool for System Center Operations Manager aimed at more technical users, which complements their flagship Live Maps solution

Cloud

BitTitan launches Partner Advisory Service for complex Office 365 installs

April 2, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on BitTitan launches Partner Advisory Service for complex Office 365 installs
Because BitTitan does not have a professional services arm, it has opted to provide high level professional services help to its partners on complex installs by certifying the BitTitan Cloud Rangers, Microsoft MVPs who are also fully certified on BitTitan products.

Servers

SanDisk enhances solid state caching software, unveils new bundles

March 31, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on SanDisk enhances solid state caching software, unveils new bundles
Nine separate bundles across the Windows, VMware and Linux platforms give SanDisk a broad range of “device+software” solutions for server-side solid-state caching.

Big Data

Big Data big deal in Canada?

March 27, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Big Data big deal in Canada?
Thursday’s Microsoft Big Data event featured a panel of Canadian service providers and customers, who offered some interesting insights about the state of Big Data in Canada.