MSP

Channel Programs

Barracuda restructures, rebalances partner program

April 9, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Barracuda restructures, rebalances partner program
The changes include increased revenue requirements for all tiers, which break up what had become a top-heavy distribution of partners in a program where advancement was too easy, and permit proper incents of Barracuda’s most valuable partners.

Cloud

PSA provider Vorex stresses simplicity in Winter 2015 release

March 12, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on PSA provider Vorex stresses simplicity in Winter 2015 release
Brand new features include Outlook Calendar integration and Quickbooks Online integration, with integration of more accounting software on the roadmap.

Channel Communities

Channel needs to walk fine line on innovation to win today’s SMB business

March 12, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Channel needs to walk fine line on innovation to win today’s SMB business
Today’s SMBs want to see evidence of innovation from their trusted advisors, but at the same time, solution providers should avoid falling into a false either-or trap – either you get on the cutting edge and change your business model, or you will be out of business soon.

Kaspersky North America channel chief John Murdock
Channel Programs

Kaspersky formalizes partner program levels

March 8, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Kaspersky formalizes partner program levels
Kaspersky Lab updates its North American partner program to follow the same program framework it uses in Europe and will roll out worldwide.

Software

FalconStor launches major reboot with FreeStor horizontal converged data services platform

February 18, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on FalconStor launches major reboot with FreeStor horizontal converged data services platform
Left for dead in many quarters, FalconStor re-emerges with a new platform aimed at flash and hybrid storage vendors, MSPs, and a VAR channel which it acknowledges needs to be won over again.

Robert Bracey, president of Quartet Services
Solution Provider News

Quartet expands Office 365 reach with En Vogue purchase

February 2, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Quartet expands Office 365 reach with En Vogue purchase
Quartet Services is looking to advance its own growing Office 365 practice by purchasing fellow Toronto-based MSP and O365 specialist En Vogue Computers.

Tim FitzGerald, vice president of cloud solutions at Avnet Technology Solutions
Cloud

Avnet Technology Solutions launches Cloud Toolset [Video]

November 12, 2014 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Avnet Technology Solutions launches Cloud Toolset [Video]
The distributor says its Avnet Cloud Toolset will help solution providers offer their customers an enterprise-wide view of their cloud investments.

Distribution

Vancouver’s Cirius adds distribution to broaden reach for channel-friendly secure messaging platform

November 11, 2014 Mark Cox 1
Cirius is gearing up for a push on multiple fronts, including a new emphasis on their own branded products, entering a new global broadline distribution deal, increasing their Canadian business, and becoming the first secure messaging solution to receive Parallels APS 2 certification for the Parallels Automation environment.

Matt Urmston, director of product management at Storagecraft
Managed Services

Storagecraft doubles down on management

September 15, 2014 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Storagecraft doubles down on management
With its own control platform built out, and new hooks into key RMM vendors, Storagecraft is focused on management as it looks to larger customers.

Cloud

Zetta.net brings full server image backups to the cloud

August 18, 2014 Mark Cox Comments Off on Zetta.net brings full server image backups to the cloud
Zetta.net, which has a strong MSP business, can now make full server image backups directly to the cloud, without requiring an appliance or a staging drive.