SMB

Printing and Imaging

Lexmark unveils new entry level mono printers for channel to expand addressable market

January 29, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Lexmark unveils new entry level mono printers for channel to expand addressable market
Lexmark channel chief Sammy Kinlaw sees the new entry level machines as a ‘game-changer’ for Lexmark in the SMB space.

Backup

Datto marks strong growth in Canada with ribbon-cutting at new Markham offices

January 25, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Datto marks strong growth in Canada with ribbon-cutting at new Markham offices
New Datto CEO Tim Weller attended the event, and talked with ChannelBuzz about Datto’s plans in Canada, and other items of interest.

Unified Communications

Canada continues to be strong market for Avaya as company transforms itself

January 22, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Canada continues to be strong market for Avaya as company transforms itself
Avaya’s Canadian country manager Dave Robertson provides an update on Avaya’s business and channel in Canada, including why they are confident that legacy Nortel customers will modernize with them and not with competitors.

Managed Services

RocketCyber unveils free live threat map for Managed Service Providers as security platform launches

January 14, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on RocketCyber unveils free live threat map for Managed Service Providers as security platform launches
RocketCyber is recruiting SMB-focused MSPs with a cybersecurity platform that offers 15 separate services that can be offered to customers, with more being developed. The new threat map provides SOC-like identification of threats that impact each MSP’s specific customers.

Security

SonicWall stresses continuity despite announcement of Steve Pataky leaving the company

January 9, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on SonicWall stresses continuity despite announcement of Steve Pataky leaving the company
Bob VanKirk becomes CRO, which will strengthen SonicWall’s push to become a more significant enterprise player, but the company is emphasizing this won’t impact their commitment to the SMB market and their partners who serve that space.

Networking

Netgear bolsters commercial portfolio with new IPV6 switch family, AP point, router, and Wi-Fi satellite

January 8, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Netgear bolsters commercial portfolio with new IPV6 switch family, AP point, router, and Wi-Fi satellite
Netgear is highlighting the Orbi Pro Mesh Wi-Fi Ceiling satellite, which has received a CES Innovation Award nomination, but the announcement includes multiple products for the channel SMB space.

Partnerships

Untangle strengthens security suite with Malwarebytes partnership, looking to drive channel growth in 2019

December 20, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Untangle strengthens security suite with Malwarebytes partnership, looking to drive channel growth in 2019
Untangle recently announced their inaugural “Voice of the Channel” survey to determine the state and desires of their small business customers, as well as the priorities of their partners.

Managed Services

Malwarebytes looks to continue expansion from remediation into endpoint protection with MSP push

December 19, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Malwarebytes looks to continue expansion from remediation into endpoint protection with MSP push
Malwarebytes announces a new partnership with Bask Technology, which both highlights their endpoint protection product, and is part of the company’s plan to significantly expand their presence in the SMB space going forward.

Managed Services

Avaya sees its new Master Agent channel as the primary route to market for new Online Store

December 13, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya sees its new Master Agent channel as the primary route to market for new Online Store
Avaya believes its solution provider channel will also have some interest in the store, which offers Avaya’s UC and CC as-a-service options. They also confirmed that this online store is not a direct play.

Cloud

Integration of SAP Business One and Business ByDesign units producing positive channel synergies

December 10, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Integration of SAP Business One and Business ByDesign units producing positive channel synergies
SAP has been encouraging Business One partners to start Business ByDesign practices as well, touting the success of partners who have recently made the move, like Calgary-based VistaVu.