SMB

John Sorensen, senior vice president of global sales at Symantec.
Security

Symantec looks to channel to build commercial business

October 24, 2016 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Symantec looks to channel to build commercial business
Symantec execs call midmarket, historically a strong point, a challenge, and discuss their strategy to reclaim the huge opportunity below the enterprise.

Data Centre

Lenovo creates new appliance-centric ThinkAgile portfolio

October 17, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Lenovo creates new appliance-centric ThinkAgile portfolio
ThinkAgile will initially consist of three components: their existing HX offerings with Nutanix software, beefed up with Lenovo networking; the newly announced CX line from a new partnership with Nimble Storage; and new OpenStack-based offerings that will first be limited to China, and eventually roll into other geos.

Partnerships

Scale Computing, Workspot collaborate on simple, integrated SMB VDI solution

October 4, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Scale Computing, Workspot collaborate on simple, integrated SMB VDI solution
Both Scale and Workspot extend their partnering strategies to produce a simple turnkey VDI solution well timed with Citrix’s end of lifing of its VDI-in-a-Box offering.

Managed Services

Avast to embrace AVG for Business non-freemium model as acquisition closes

September 30, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avast to embrace AVG for Business non-freemium model as acquisition closes
Avast also stresses its commitment to AVG’s RMM business, and indicates that while the goal is to expand the number of resellers, they will also be rationalizing the product line.

Partnerships

Scale Computing adds BI capability for SMBs with Information Builders partnership

September 20, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Scale Computing adds BI capability for SMBs with Information Builders partnership
The Information Builders partnership is the first in a strategy designed to provide Scale partners with additional software services, turning their hardware platform into an App Store of sorts.

Security

Czech DLP vendor Safetica launches in North America targeting SMB market

September 20, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Czech DLP vendor Safetica launches in North America targeting SMB market
Safetica is the first client of channel vet Luke Walling and his Temprano Techvestors firm. In close collaboration with the Czech head office, they are running the North American’s subsidiary expansion here through the channel.

Unified Communications

Built-in encryption, user experience changes highlight Avaya IP Office 10

September 6, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Built-in encryption, user experience changes highlight Avaya IP Office 10
The new release of IP Office also makes some architectural and administrative changes designed to make things easier for Avaya channel partners who sell the product.

Cloud

Kaspersky enters SaaS market with Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud

September 2, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Kaspersky enters SaaS market with Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud
Kaspersky has been out of the SaaS market for a while, but now jumps back in with a cloud version of its Endpoint Protection product which uses the exact same core technology.

Channel Programs

Exact Macola continues aggressive channel push with new training program for partners

September 1, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Exact Macola continues aggressive channel push with new training program for partners
ERP vendor Exact Macola has been aggressively ramping up its channel presence over the last three years. This move to an online self-paced training system was in response to partner requests.

Security

SonicWALL leader Hutcheson lays out strategy going forward

August 31, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on SonicWALL leader Hutcheson lays out strategy going forward
The new SonicWALL will see big changes and small ones. The big changes are in how the company does business as it untangles from Dell, and it’s a process that they began well before the company was even sold. On the other hand, the new SonicWALL won’t be making significant shifts from its core markets, and partner base.