SMB

Managed Services

SupportBots looks to save MSPs money with AI-driven support bots

March 1, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on SupportBots looks to save MSPs money with AI-driven support bots
SupportBots launched a free trial period in February so MSPs can test them and provide feedback. For now, their main functionality is booking customers with available technicians, but the plan is to eventually do much more than that.

Cloud

Avaya’s Zang introduces new cloud phone service, and new collaboration tool

February 13, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya’s Zang introduces new cloud phone service, and new collaboration tool
Zang moves into the cloud PBX market with Zang Office, although at this stage, the channel opportunities, other than referral fees, are limited. Partner opportunities for Zang Space, the collaboration tool, appear stronger.

Cloud

Cloud distributor Pax8 unveils free Marketing on Demand resources for partners

February 10, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Cloud distributor Pax8 unveils free Marketing on Demand resources for partners
Pax8 has offered marketing resources to its partner channel before, but has given them the ability to conduct campaigns on their own with this offering.

Security

Comodo beefs up endpoint protection solution with enhanced Mac, new Linux support

February 3, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Comodo beefs up endpoint protection solution with enhanced Mac, new Linux support
Comodo’s endpoint solution is relatively new to the market, but has posted strong adoption rates and has just been added to Gartner’s Magic Quadrant.

Managed Services

Webroot targets different partner segments with three new product announcements

February 2, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Webroot targets different partner segments with three new product announcements
Webroot SecureAnywhere DNS Protection is aimed at the SMB MSP market, while Webroot FlowScape Analytics is more for MSSPs and Webroot BrightCloud Streaming Malware Detection is primarily an OEM play.

Channel Programs

Carbonite continues growth strategy with Double-Take Software acquisition

February 1, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Carbonite continues growth strategy with Double-Take Software acquisition
Carbonite’s chief evangelist takes with ChannelBuzz about the Double-Take deal, the integration plans, and what it will all mean for both Carbonite and Double-Take partners.

Managed Services

Open Mesh acquisition gives Datto networking services purpose-built for MSPs, SMBs

January 31, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Open Mesh acquisition gives Datto networking services purpose-built for MSPs, SMBs
Datto makes a play for the cloud networking managed services market, which it says is full of enterprise-focused offerings that have ill-served MSPs and aren’t well suited to the SMB market.

Channel Communities

Pax8 adds Jennifer Bodell as Emerging Channel director to strengthen communities ties

January 23, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Pax8 adds Jennifer Bodell as Emerging Channel director to strengthen communities ties
Cloud-focused distributor Pax8 sees IT trade association events as ideal grounds to talk with partners and add productive new ones, and Bodell’s hire both strengthens their presence at them and provides the channel with more evidence of their commitment.

Channel Programs

Invincea revamps partner philosophy and program around next-gen antivirus solution

January 12, 2017 Mark Cox 1
Invincea’s next-gen machine learning-based X by Invincea has been on the market for seven months, and now they have designed an appropriately named Next-Gen Partner Program to help partners sell it.

Managed Services

Netsurion leverages acquired EventTracker SIEM technology for multi-location market

January 6, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Netsurion leverages acquired EventTracker SIEM technology for multi-location market
SIEM-at-the-Edge, which combines SIEM and managed detection and response, and Breach Detection Service, which is just the SIEM, are seen as ideal channel offerings as Netsurion looks to build up its partner ecosystem.