Service Provider

Data Centre

SanDisk targets next-gen CloudSpeed Eco SSD at hyperscale market

June 1, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on SanDisk targets next-gen CloudSpeed Eco SSD at hyperscale market
The announcement at Computex Taipei 2015 is intended to be SanDisk’s coming out party for the large Taiwanese ODM market, with a product that will sell mainly through the ODMs, but will have some channel pockets.

Cloud

Virtustream acquired by EMC, to become separate EMC Federation business

May 26, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Virtustream acquired by EMC, to become separate EMC Federation business
Virtustream will form the basis of EMC’s managed cloud services business, and will be sold both direct and through service provider and integrator partners.

Channel Programs

Citrix finalizing channel plans for Citrix Workspace Cloud

May 14, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix finalizing channel plans for Citrix Workspace Cloud
Citrix’s major announcement at Synergy this year provides huge new opportunities for both CSP and CSA partners, and the channel strategy being finalized is designed to ensure partners who move to the cloud with WorkSpace Cloud will be treated the same way as on-prem partners.

Cloud

Citrix delivers core cloud solution with Citrix Workspace Cloud

May 13, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Citrix delivers core cloud solution with Citrix Workspace Cloud
The highlight of the first day at Citrix Synergy was the announcement of Citrix Workspace Cloud, a platform of services for the creation of complete workspaces with a strong MSP play.

Distribution

ScanSource, Mitel launch new North American distribution agreement

April 1, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on ScanSource, Mitel launch new North American distribution agreement
In the U.S., ScanSource will carry Mitel’s entire product line, but in Canada, where the core Mitel products do not go through distribution at all, ScanSource will be limited to the Aastra product line.

Microsoft North America president Judson Althoff on Office 365
Cloud

Ingram Micro takes bundled approach to Office 365

March 10, 2015 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Ingram Micro takes bundled approach to Office 365
Ingram Micro announces Office 365 as part of its Cloud Marketplace, introduces automated bundles for solution providers.

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.

Channel Programs

SolidFire broadens channel opportunities with new offerings

March 4, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on SolidFire broadens channel opportunities with new offerings
A new software solution for commodity hardware is aimed at service providers, and won’t be much of a reseller play, but gives SolidFire the distinction of being able to sell the exact same solution as an appliance, infrastructure, as a service, and now software.

Dan Allaby, Director of Managed and Cloud Services, Avnet Technology Solutions
Cloud

Seven questions to ask when choosing a cloud service provider

February 19, 2015 Guest Poster Comments Off on Seven questions to ask when choosing a cloud service provider
Avnet Technology Solutions’ Dan Allaby offers some guidance to solution providers looking to add to their lineup of cloud-based services.

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.