Social Media

Security

Proofpoint emphasizes usability, visibility enhancements in SMB-focused Essentials solution

February 27, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Proofpoint emphasizes usability, visibility enhancements in SMB-focused Essentials solution
Proofpoint’s historical focus has been higher upmarket, but Essentials, which came originally from a 2013 acquisition, and has been substantially rebuilt from the ground up with an SMB focus, is a key part of their strategy as well.

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Channel Programs

Vancouver-based engagement platform provider Comm100 continues to build out channel

December 21, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Vancouver-based engagement platform provider Comm100 continues to build out channel
Comm100, which has been in business since 2009, just formalized its first partner program in September, and has onboarded four new partners, with many more in the pipeline. They are looking to build the channel business to 20 per cent within the next 1-2 years.

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Backup

Commvault restructuring of product portfolio, channel enablement tools guided by same theme

July 19, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Commvault restructuring of product portfolio, channel enablement tools guided by same theme
Commvault has greatly simplified its solution set, from 21 product areas to four, and consolidated its partner enablement tools, with the goal of both being to greatly scale the channel business.

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Managed Services

Networking-focused RMM Auvik looks to repeat success with open ecosystem marketing event

July 13, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Networking-focused RMM Auvik looks to repeat success with open ecosystem marketing event
Auvik has brought back a promo they ran last year, in collaboration with ten vendors in total, including competing RMMs. The low-cost program got a strong response last year, which the company is looking to replicate.

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Managed Services

HP vet Ken Archer lays out vision and plans as new Nectar Chief Revenue Officer

January 12, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on HP vet Ken Archer lays out vision and plans as new Nectar Chief Revenue Officer
Nectar creates a new Chief Revenue Officer position to coordinate the company’s different channel routes to market.

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Channel Programs

AppRiver adds lead generation module to free appMailer email marketing tool

October 17, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on AppRiver adds lead generation module to free appMailer email marketing tool
The enhanced appMailer platform also provides the ability to share lead generation campaigns through social media.

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Cloud

Intermedia adds new automated marketing campaigns around ransomware, Office 365

August 2, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Intermedia adds new automated marketing campaigns around ransomware, Office 365
While many channel partners still don’t think marketing is worth their time and investment, Intermedia stresses that it has become vital to survival in the digital age.

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Cloud

Igloo revamps go-to-market with new digital workplace solutions, solutions as service model

June 26, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Igloo revamps go-to-market with new digital workplace solutions, solutions as service model
Igloo has transformed its customizable intranet offering into a portfolio of 13 solutions, offered in three separate editions aimed at different market sizes, and supported by dedicated professional services.

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Marketing

HPE looks to turbocharge partner marketing with new Digital Marketing Program

June 6, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on HPE looks to turbocharge partner marketing with new Digital Marketing Program
While many of the program’s components existed before, HPE is doubling down on promoting them as a bundle, looking to get greater numbers of them involved in an area where the vendor says many partners need to be doing more.

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Channel Programs

New flexible consumption models, incumbency protection highlight Dell EMC channel changes

May 9, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on New flexible consumption models, incumbency protection highlight Dell EMC channel changes
Partner presence at this year’s event increased massively over anything at either the Dell or EMC events, or the initial joint event in Austin last fall.

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Big Data

Major changes to partner go-to-market among IDC 2017 channel predictions

February 2, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Major changes to partner go-to-market among IDC 2017 channel predictions
Other IDC projections for the year ahead include strong partner moves into the digital transformation market, an emphasis on Customer Success programs, and changes to vendor Partner Success models.

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Software

Yappn rolls out global strategy for real-time language translation solutions

November 21, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Yappn rolls out global strategy for real-time language translation solutions
While Yappn has a hybrid go-to market strategy, they are looking to the channel to lead the way, and are particularly interested in attracting top eCommerce-focused partners.

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Marketing

HP upgrades partner marketing with Co-Marketing Zone, new Social Media Center

September 13, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on HP upgrades partner marketing with Co-Marketing Zone, new Social Media Center
The HP Co-Marketing Zone now allows partners to track the performance and ROI of campaigns as well as create them, while the Social Media Center is designed to establish partners as thought leaders by providing content that goes beyond HP materials.

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Channel Programs

Addition of competencies to HPE Partner Ready program highlight GPC announcements

September 12, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Addition of competencies to HPE Partner Ready program highlight GPC announcements
Other important changes include the integration of programs for other groups which used to be outside the old umbrella program and the integration of the Aruba PartnerEdge and HPE Networking channel programs into the new Partner Ready for Networking program.

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Channel Communities

Changing business models keeping vendors up at night

August 3, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Changing business models keeping vendors up at night
A highlight of the second day at the CompTIA ChannelCon event was a panel discussion of vendors on changes in the industry, and how to best adapt to them.

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Channel Programs

Kaspersky to introduce small business specialization

March 7, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Kaspersky to introduce small business specialization
While Kaspersky is emphasizing the enterprise in its strategic objectives this year, it is also providing more segmented assistance to partners focusing on different parts of the market. This includes a new specialization which will see small business leads limited to partners who have secured it.

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Channel Programs

Unitrends revamps partner program on unique engagement philosophy

February 16, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Unitrends revamps partner program on unique engagement philosophy
Unitrends is implementing a program based on five stars, with partners earning credit for ranking based on sales, marketing, customer satisfaction, training and social media achievements, in a system that can let smaller partners and even influencers rise in the program.

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Cloud

Avaya enhances two midmarket hybrid cloud solutions, and broadens availability

February 9, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya enhances two midmarket hybrid cloud solutions, and broadens availability
Both Powered by Avaya IP Office and OnAvaya – Google Cloud Platform have already been available to customers through the channel. Now however, their availability has been opened up to more partners, and both solutions have also been enhanced from their initial versions.

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Marketing

Avaya pledges new partner-focused marketing initiatives

February 2, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on Avaya pledges new partner-focused marketing initiatives
Avaya has reorganized its marketing strategies to emphasize joint go-to-marketing initiatives with partners, with an emphasis on obtaining case studies for customers.

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Channel Programs

New mid-market success kits, partner services opportunities highlight Citrix channel changes

January 12, 2016 Mark Cox Comments Off on New mid-market success kits, partner services opportunities highlight Citrix channel changes
Citrix channel chief Kimberly Martin was brought into the company last fall to restructure and improve the company’s channel operations. She discusses her mission, the changes that she announced at her first Citrix Summit, and what remains on the drawing board.

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