Systems Channel

No single-instance storage in Exchange 2010: What's a VAR to do?

Application delivery services can save customers money, help VARs

Apps are everywhere and VARs can capitalize on this trend by providing Web application delivery services that reduce time and costs for customers.Tip

Providing customers value with JBoss managed services

While there are more well-known middleware products out there, VARs can help their customers save money by offering JBoss managed services and moving applications to JBoss.Tip

Exchange Server 2010 requirements, features guide: VAR considerations

VARs would be smart to check out all of the pertinent Exchange Server 2010 requirements and features to determine if they can perform and make money off of Exchange Server 2010 upgrades for customers.Guide

Setting up a template BI site in SharePoint 2010

Get step-by-step directions on how to create a template BI Site for your customers in SharePoint 2010, which will allow you to customize and monitor their business data.Tip

Monitoring Exchange Server 2010 : Using event logs, ExBPA

Using the Exchange Best Practices Analyzer (ExBPA) for an Exchange health check and monitoring event logs will help keep Exchange Server 2010 at peak performance.Chapter Excerpt

Exchange Management Shell, Queue Viewer: Message tracking tools

Solution providers can monitor Exchange Server 2010 health by using tools, such as the Exchange Management Shell and Queue Viewer, to track messages and ensure sound mail flow.Chapter Excerpt

Tracking performance counters to monitor Exchange Server 2010

Solution providers use the Exchange Server 2010 Performance Monitoring tool to track performance counters and the Performance Troubleshooter to solve problems as they occur.Chapter Excerpt

Microsoft touts big BPOS wins vs. Google

Microsoft touts BPOS wins in Google battle; other news.Article | 27 Oct 2010

Exchange 2010 upgrades: Top 10 resources for providers

Solutions providers can attract new customers by making sure they're up to date on Exchange 2010 high availability features and upgrade and installation requirements.Top 10

Cloud broker or cloud provider: Who says you can't be both?

Cloud brokers can offer their own cloud services as long as they don't compete with their cloud provider partners.News | 02 May 2013

managed hosting

Managed hosting is an IT operations model in which a service provider leases dedicated servers and associated hardware to a single client. The equipment is at the hosting provider's facility and managed there.Definition

Ingram Micro cloud services pitch: Cloud enablement for partners

At Ingram Micro Cloud Summit 2013, the company laid out its strategy for helping partners get a bigger share of the $35B global cloud services market.News | 10 Apr 2013

Cloud pricing and sales in spotlight at Ingram Micro Cloud Summit 2013

At Ingram Micro Cloud Summit, cloud services experts discuss cloud pricing and packaging strategies, as well as ways to develop a cloud sales culture.News | 09 Apr 2013

Survey finds cloud storage implementation growing

View this Cloud Pulse survey photostory from March 2013 to see data on cloud storage app usage, access, backup and recovery.Photostory

Data protection services: Market outlook for solution providers

Despite the relatively low uptake of data protection services, analysts say they represent a growth opportunity for solution providers.Feature

Challenges of transitioning to cloud data protection services

IT services companies transitioning to a cloud data protection model are learning a lot about marketing, compensation plans and operational issues.Feature

MSPAlliance: No need to look beyond our MSP, cloud certification

The MSPAlliance is calling on MSPs and cloud providers to support its MSP and cloud certification standard, the Unified Certification Standard.News | 21 Mar 2013

Avaya cloud framework gains UC, video and contact center offerings

The Avaya cloud framework is gaining three offerings aimed at the unified communications, video and contact center product categories.News | 18 Mar 2013

MSPexcellence aims to help cloud computing service providers, wannabes

Cloud provider advisory group MSPexcellence has established a community for solution providers that want to become cloud computing service providers.News | 08 Mar 2013

Using fixed configurations to sell simplified IT solutions

Setting up simplified IT solutions using fixed configurations takes work on the front end but can pay off with faster sales cycles and easier support.Tip

Unified data center hardware: Changing the equation

Selling Windows Intune to SMBs for mobile device management

For VARs wondering if selling Windows Intune makes sense, find out which customers benefit the most from Microsoft's cloud systems management tool.Tip

Microsoft Sync Framework services for mobile device data management

Solutions providers can find success using the Microsoft Sync Framework to help SMBs with mobile workers that aren't constantly connected to a network.Tip

Selling Office 365: Overcome obstacles and develop services

Microsoft partners haven't been selling Office 365 because of a historic lack of incentives, but Office 365 Open could turn the tide.Q&A

'Big data' shops eye cheaper four-socket Intel Xeon servers

What once required high-end Intel E7 processors and motherboards now fits into a lower-cost E5-4600 four-socket Intel Xeon system, suitable for scale-out workloads in HPC and big data.News | 14 May 2012

Providing shared availability with a cold spare server

Solution providers can sell SMB customers a shared server chassis to rapidly ease server failure by providing a compatible cold spare server.Tip

How BYOD can be an opportunity for VARs

It may seem like BYOD squeezes VARs out of the purchasing cycle, but there are opportunities to take advantage of this trend.Tip

What does the server market hold in store for 2012?

Global server sales are picking up in 2012, but EMEA based channel partners are seeing slower sales.News | 07 May 2012

AMD Opteron 3200 targets cost-conscious hosting providers

AMD’s latest server processor line is aimed at dedicated hosting providers that value price over performance and power efficiency.News | 19 Mar 2012

managed IT service

A managed IT service is an information technology (IT) task provided by a third-party contractor. Definition

Selling Windows Intune to SMBs for mobile device management

For VARs wondering if selling Windows Intune makes sense, find out which customers benefit the most from Microsoft's cloud systems management tool.Tip

Using Hyper-V Replica to help SMBs with disaster recovery

The Hyper-V Replica feature in Hyper-V 3.0 provides an opportunity for VARs to offer disaster recovery and business continuity services to SMBs.Tip

Providing shared availability with a cold spare server

Solution providers can sell SMB customers a shared server chassis to rapidly ease server failure by providing a compatible cold spare server.Tip

Mobile data management in spotlight as SMB tablet use grows

The best way to secure data in the tablet age is to establish centralized data policies and implement mobile data management, solution providers say.Feature

Intel Tri-Gate 3D processor aims to beat the heat, boost performance

The new Intel Tri-Gate chip is designed to use less energy and provides faster speeds. This 3D processor line may help VARs solve clients’ data center problems.Tech Tip

Four desktop virtualization thought leadership opportunities for MSPs

Certification, writing and speaking can help MSPs establish a reputable desktop virtualization consultancy.Tip

Cloud service orchestration management

Cloud computing service providers can benefit from a service strategy, including service catalogue management and SLA development.Feature

MSP Tip: Strategies for guiding customers to make better technology choices

While one-size-fits all doesn’t work for managed services, some customers need incentives to use better technology options to accomplish their business. A pay-as-you-go model can help guide customers with difficult storage requests.Tip

Seven questions for backup and disaster recovery customers

To determine whether your customers need to outsource their backup and disaster recovery services, they need to answer these questions, such as when was their most recent backup test, and allow you to explain the value you can provide in each area.Tip

Hadoop development: Tools just beginning to tackle higher-level chores

Standard tools exist for Hadoop management, but more work is needed around Hadoop development tools for mainstream IT.Feature

Data as a Service opportunities for solution providers

Learn about Data as a Service, how it works, its benefits and drawbacks for customers, and the opportunities it presents to IT solution providers.Tip

DBaaS pros and cons for solution providers

A DBaaS has feature and other limitations, but it brings shorter sales cycles, reduced startup costs, recurring revenue streams and more customers.Tip

SQL Server 2012 Power View: Self-service BI reporting for SharePoint

The SQL Server Power View tool enables solution providers to deliver self-service business intelligence reporting to a wide range of customers.Tip

HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance addresses massive data needs

The HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance can manage from 30 TB to 600 TB of data in a preconfigured bundle.Tip

Midmarket responds to SAP Rapid Deployment Solutions

SAP Rapid Deployment Solutions appeal to midmarket customers looking for ERP and CRM system advantages without the high cost.Feature | 16 Nov 2012

Microsoft Sync Framework services for mobile device data management

Solutions providers can find success using the Microsoft Sync Framework to help SMBs with mobile workers that aren't constantly connected to a network.Tip

How to sell cloud BI services by filling in the gaps for customers

Cloud BI services offer customers real-time analysis without the capital expenses, but they can't do everything. That's where the channel comes in.Q&A

Is SQL Azure migration right for your customers?

Customers considering an SQL Azure migration from SQL Server should be aware of the drawbacks to using this cloud database option.Tip

Cloud business intelligence tools offer SQL Azure Reporting alternatives

SQL Azure Reporting’s limitations may disappoint some customers, but solution providers can step in and offer other cloud business intelligence tools.Tip

Selling Windows 8 and Windows Metro UI to customers

Your customers are likely reticent to upgrade to Windows 8 and the Windows Metro UI. Get guidance for talking them past their reluctance.Tip

Tips to explain Windows 8 upgrade rationale to customers

Expert advice for VARs looking to explain Windows 8 upgrade options to customers and combat objections to the new Windows OS.Tip

Microsoft SkyDrive features improve cloud file storage, sharing

Microsoft SkyDrive features have been upgraded, setting the cloud file storage service up for success in the channel with Office 2013.Tip

Windows 7 XPM improves application compatibility for your customers

Windows 8 upgrade selling points for VARs

With Windows 8 coming soon, channel partners should start talking to customers about their Windows 8 upgrade options and the advantages of some its features.Tip

Health care VDI projects in high demand

Solution providers report that health care VDI projects are in demand and creating channel opportunities.Feature

Channel eyes ultrabook market for road warriors

As more vendors jump into the ultrabook market, VARs see frequent business travelers as potential customers. But ultrabook sales could eat into their traditional PC businesses.Feature

Drive toward mobility is accelerating deployments of virtual desktop infrastructure

Desktop virtualization is becoming increasingly popular as employees bring tablets to work.News | 18 Jan 2012

Troubleshooting Windows 7

Guide

Windows 7 tools and hardware

Guide

The risk of using Windows kernel-mode drivers in systems management

Windows kernel-mode drivers can pose risks if used in IT efficiency systems management tools.Tip

Using VMM 2012 to add Hyper-V servers to trusted and untrusted domains

Learn how to add Hyper-V servers to trusted and untrusted domains using Microsoft Virtual Machine Manager 2012 in this chapter excerpt.Tip

Using fixed configurations to sell simplified IT solutions

Setting up simplified IT solutions using fixed configurations takes work on the front end but can pay off with faster sales cycles and easier support.Tip

Selling Red Hat virtualization to SMBs

Red Hat virtualization can be a great tool to get small and medium-sized businesses into virtualization and can win VARs customer trust.Tip

Creating a virtual machine template in vCenter Server

Learn how to create a virtual machine template, update the template and deploy a VM from a template in vCenter Server.Chapter Excerpt

Using Hyper-V Replica to help SMBs with disaster recovery

The Hyper-V Replica feature in Hyper-V 3.0 provides an opportunity for VARs to offer disaster recovery and business continuity services to SMBs.Tip

Linux HA cluster tool evolution in SUSE and Red Hat

The pool of Linux HA cluster options is narrowing as Pacemaker becomes the preferred choice for SUSE, Ubuntu and Red Hat.Tip

Virtualizing small business customers with vSphere Hypervisor

Upgrading SMB customers to a virtualized server using vSphere Hypervisor can improve performance and stability, but there are some limitations.Tip

Cloning virtual machines in vCenter Server

Learn how to identify and clone virtual machines in vCenter Server, from the parameter selection in vSphere 5 to the actual steps to creating the clone.Tip

Providing shared availability with a cold spare server

Solution providers can sell SMB customers a shared server chassis to rapidly ease server failure by providing a compatible cold spare server.Tip

Selling an upgrade to Windows Server 2012 VDI

For customers who have invested in Windows 2008 virtual desktop infrastructure, making the move to Windows Server 2012 VDI features will pay off.Feature

Experts review new Windows Server 2012 storage features; more news

News briefs: Storage experts express mixed reviews on features such as dedupe and Storage Spaces in Windows Server 2012; more news.News briefs | 22 Oct 2012

Linux HA cluster tool evolution in SUSE and Red Hat

The pool of Linux HA cluster options is narrowing as Pacemaker becomes the preferred choice for SUSE, Ubuntu and Red Hat.Tip

Microsoft System Center 2012 add-ons ease management issues

Microsoft System Center 2012 contains several add-on products that VARs can use to help customers manage and enhance their Windows system.Tip

Microsoft delivers first Windows Server 8 beta containing new features

Microsoft finally made the leap on Leap Day, delivering the first Windows Server 8 beta containing dozens of enhanced features across the product.News | 01 Mar 2012

Making the case for enterprise Linux

An unpaid for Linux distribution can cost your customers a lot, despite the free price tag. Learn how to sell clients on enterprise Linux and find out what benefits you can reap.Tip

What’s in store for SUSE Linux?

SUSE Enterprise Linux has evolved from a company with confused direction to one that has big plans, which were announced at BrainShare 2011, including a new file system and further development of SLES.Tip

Working with configuration files in Linux systems

Read how to find and edit configuration files in your customers' Linux systems by using the shell commands provided in this chapter excerpt.Chapter Excerpt

Linux/UNIX directories and shell commands for VARs

The Linux/UNIX directories and shell commands listed in this chapter excerpt will be valuable to solution providers who are trying to customize their customers' Linux environments.Chapter Excerpt

Unix systems not high on VAR customer shopping lists

Unix systems sales lagged in Q3 of 2010 in spite of an overall surge in the server market. VMware customers are weary of the company's Alive VM license giveaway.Article | 02 Dec 2010

Selling Windows Intune to SMBs for mobile device management

For VARs wondering if selling Windows Intune makes sense, find out which customers benefit the most from Microsoft's cloud systems management tool.Tip

Microsoft Sync Framework services for mobile device data management

Solutions providers can find success using the Microsoft Sync Framework to help SMBs with mobile workers that aren't constantly connected to a network.Tip

Converged infrastructure approach coming together, albeit slowly

Data center infrastructure integrators say interest in converged infrastructure has increased and, with it, the need for cross-training technicians on servers, networking and storage.Tip

IT systems management: Production acceptance, application deployment

Read about the final stages of production acceptance and find out how to ensure proper application deployment with this chapter excerpt on IT systems management.Chapter Excerpt

IT systems management: The production acceptance process

This chapter excerpt on IT systems management explains how solutions providers can benefit from production acceptance and details the steps to effective implementation.Chapter Excerpt

SOA governance and implementation guide

This guide defines service-oriented architecture (SOA) while explaining the significance of SOA governance and the roles solutions providers play in successful implementation and data standardization practices.Guide

Google reseller guide to Apps, Chrome and Android

If you're thinking about becoming a Google reseller, use this guide to learn the pros and cons of working with Google Apps and the Chrome and Android operating systems.Guide

Top 10 considerations when implementing Software as a Service

Once you go through this list of the top 10 considerations for implementing Software as a Service (SaaS), you will be ready to tackle SaaS implementation head on. These tasks are meant to ensure that there are no surprises in the implementation process.Chapter Excerpt

Common SaaS problems that occur after implementation

There are still a few problems you can run into after implementing Software as a Service and this list can help you prepare clients for connection or software application issues.Chapter Excerpt

Migrating to a Software as a Service environment

The transition to Software as a Service (SaaS) isn't always a smooth one. Knowing the dos and don'ts of SaaS migration and implementation is essential when using SaaS offerings to meet clients' needs.Chapter Excerpt

Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V cluster: Basic points for customers

Learn about the most important factors for a Server 2012 Hyper-V cluster, including Failover Clustering, Cluster Shared Volumes and more.Tip

VoIP phone services for customers with on-premises and remote VDI

Adding VoIP phone services for customers with on-premises and remote VDI can lessen reliance on cell phones, improve service integration and more.Tip

Using VMM 2012 to add Hyper-V servers to trusted and untrusted domains

Learn how to add Hyper-V servers to trusted and untrusted domains using Microsoft Virtual Machine Manager 2012 in this chapter excerpt.Tip

How VDI solutions can increase profit margins

Selling Red Hat virtualization to SMBs

Red Hat virtualization can be a great tool to get small and medium-sized businesses into virtualization and can win VARs customer trust.Tip

Creating a virtual machine template in vCenter Server

Learn how to create a virtual machine template, update the template and deploy a VM from a template in vCenter Server.Chapter Excerpt

Partners get trained in data center virtualization to boost sales

Vendors are offering partners data center virtualization training to get them up to speed on helping customers transition to a virtual data center.News | 22 Aug 2012

Using Hyper-V Replica to help SMBs with disaster recovery

The Hyper-V Replica feature in Hyper-V 3.0 provides an opportunity for VARs to offer disaster recovery and business continuity services to SMBs.Tip

FAQ: Selling Microsoft Hyper-V 3.0

Learn how the launch of Microsoft Hyper-V 3.0 is stirring up the hypervisor space and what solution providers need to know when selling it.FAQ

Virtualizing small business customers with vSphere Hypervisor

Upgrading SMB customers to a virtualized server using vSphere Hypervisor can improve performance and stability, but there are some limitations.Tip