SMB

Servers

Nutanix targets SMB hyper-converged space with Nutanix Xpress

May 24, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Nutanix targets SMB hyper-converged space with Nutanix Xpress
Nutanix is making changes to its channel strategies around this product, including deal registration, to avoid channel confusion. Lenovo and its channel will also play a key role taking Xpress to market.

Servers

Scale Computing integrates flash into tiering to strengthen SMB hyper-converged offering

May 3, 2016 Mark Cox 1
Scale’s new HEAT technology brings flash into hybrid tiering, with all the performance benefits of using flash for a tier rather than just a cache. The challenge here was not introducing flash, but doing so in a way that would not increase complexity, and would be cost-effective for SMBs.

Cloud

Epicor promises both commitment and caution in move to the cloud

April 22, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Epicor promises both commitment and caution in move to the cloud
At its customer event, ERP vendor Epicor laid out its plans to become a cloud-first company, to which it asserted a strong commitment – even though the transition is greatly complicated by multiple factors.

Cloud

ERP vendor Epicor looks to channel for aggressive growth in Canada

April 20, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on ERP vendor Epicor looks to channel for aggressive growth in Canada
Epicor has doubled the size of its Canadian business over the last couple years, and while most of its business in the U.S. is direct, the growing Canadian business is going entirely through channel partners.

Security

New Dell SonicWALL Threat Protection Service to be major channel play

March 1, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on New Dell SonicWALL Threat Protection Service to be major channel play
The new service combines one sandbox Dell has used internally, and being productized for the first time, with two licensed third party sandboxes, on the principle that modern threats that try and evade sandboxes won’t be able to evade three different ones at the same time.

Cloud

ShoreTel Connect HYBRID Sites offer single user experience for cloud and on-prem

February 24, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on ShoreTel Connect HYBRID Sites offer single user experience for cloud and on-prem
The new HYBRID Sites complete the integration of ShoreTel’s cloud and on-prem solutions which began with the new ShoreTel Connect branding last year. They improve partners’ selling ability with the single solution, and its suitability for larger deployments.

Cloud

RingCentral adds Westcon to distribution network in U.S. and Canada

January 22, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on RingCentral adds Westcon to distribution network in U.S. and Canada
RingCentral already has a diverse go-to-market strategy which includes several top technology distributors, but they see additional benefits in adding Westcon to the mix.

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.

Channel Programs

Data protection vendor Druva adds MSP channel, launches MSP partner program

November 17, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Data protection vendor Druva adds MSP channel, launches MSP partner program
Druva is mainly focused on the enterprise space, and its new MSP channel will give them a stronger presence downmarket. They are especially looking to recruit new MSPs who have no data centre.

Servers

Lenovo: We want to be the top OEM for hyperconverged

November 12, 2015 Mark Cox Comments Off on Lenovo: We want to be the top OEM for hyperconverged
Lenovo sees strong momentum in its server business, with its core server business showing signs of beginning to scale growth, and its roster of hyperconverged partners offering significant potential in that space.