Retail

Distribution

Tech Data Canada makes play in unlocked smartphone market with Noetic agreement

March 17, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Tech Data Canada makes play in unlocked smartphone market with Noetic agreement
The distributor is expanding its presence in the unlocked smartphone market, to give solution providers more options, and to keep them well positioned in the event of a shift away from major carrier solidarity on the subsidy model and its phone plans.

Data Capture/Point of Sale

HP announces next-gen POS retail system

January 17, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on HP announces next-gen POS retail system
In addition to its new HP RP9 Retail System, HP is also highlighting its HP Pro Tablet 608, which provides an eight-inch screen version of a product HP has offered for years in a ten-inch form factor.

Big Data

Inside SAP Anywhere

November 24, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Inside SAP Anywhere
SAP’s new HANA-powered CRM solution for SMBs, which will hit general availability in both the U.S. and Canada in 2016, is drawing lots of interest. ChannelBuzz takes a look at why.

Solution Provider News

ACCEO enhances ability to service larger retail chains with Gemmar Systems acquisition

July 16, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on ACCEO enhances ability to service larger retail chains with Gemmar Systems acquisition
ACCEO continues its drive into the retail space, following up its June acquisition of Multipost with a larger deal in which they acquire GSI, which has many large retail chain clients, and whose solutions are targeted to that larger type of chain retailer.

Data Capture/Point of Sale

ScanSource beefs up mobile POS portfolio with new Star Micronics partnership

June 30, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on ScanSource beefs up mobile POS portfolio with new Star Micronics partnership
Star’s strength in mobile printing in particular will enhance ScanSource’s ability to provide total POS and retail solutions to their reseller partners.

Distribution

Tech Data Canada signs Apple

June 24, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Tech Data Canada signs Apple
Apple has added Tech Data Canada to its distribution ranks. What does this say about the direction Apple’s relationship with the channel is going?

Solution Provider News

ACCEO Solutions expands smaller retail footprint with Multipost acquisition

June 11, 2015 Mark Cox 2
The Québec-based solution provider continues its strategic acquisitions by buying Markham ON-based Multipost, which makes POS software for smaller retailers. ACCEO also indicated that more acquisitions are coming in the next few weeks.

Networking

Dell extends proactive automated support to consumer PCs and tablets

June 2, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell extends proactive automated support to consumer PCs and tablets
Dell’s proactive support services have been a big hit in the channel, but this particular product is designed as a retail play, rather than for solution providers.

Storage

Canadian retailers ring up low scores in backup protection in new EMC-sponsored study

December 5, 2014 Mark Cox Comments Off on Canadian retailers ring up low scores in backup protection in new EMC-sponsored study
EMC Canada’s Michael Sharun also stressed that channel partners (and sales people generally) need to do a better job of adding backup and recovery to their storage sales.

Security

ESET announces new versions of flagship products

October 9, 2014 Mark Cox Comments Off on ESET announces new versions of flagship products
These are ESET’s flagship consumer products, but they are also sold by the channel, typically as an add-on in a commercial sale. They also preview the new features coming in the next commercial refresh.