December 2010

• December 27, 2010 27 Dec'10

  Tech predictions for 2010: Reality check

  We were dead-right about server virtualization mainstreaming in 2010, but how did we miss the tablet rage? Read how our predictions for IT services trends went right--and wrong.  Continue Reading

• December 27, 2010 27 Dec'10

  Smartphones that matter to VARs

  Solution providers say there are currently three smartphone operating systems that really matter to the channel.  Continue Reading

• December 27, 2010 27 Dec'10

  Top five storage channel tips of 2010

  We've compiled our top five storage channel tips in 2010. Find out about LTO-5 tape, how to determine whether SSD will fix a customer's performance problems, how to choose between SAN and NAS to support server virtualization, how to solve problems ...  Continue Reading

• December 27, 2010 27 Dec'10

  Media tablet tales from VARs

  The market for media tablets is exploding, but it has a long way to go before it overtakes traditional portable personal computers.  Continue Reading

• December 27, 2010 27 Dec'10

  IT solution providers mobilize around mobility

  Smartphones and tablets are reshaping IT management, security and vertical applications strategies.  Continue Reading

• December 27, 2010 27 Dec'10

  Private clouds and VDI solutions: 2011 virtualization trends

  The big virtualization developments in 2010 revolved around product fixes, and our expert thinks private clouds and VDI solutions will be important to the channel in 2011.  Continue Reading

• December 22, 2010 22 Dec'10

  Latest offshore services ranking: Here's what you are up against

  Gartner has published a new report ranking the top 30 countries that are leaders when it comes to offshore capacity for IT services. You'll find many of the usual suspects on the list and India is ...  Continue Reading

• December 22, 2010 22 Dec'10

  How the Best Practices Analyzer helps VARs deploy Hyper-V R2

  Deploying Hyper-V R2 for your customers isn't as simple as it may initially appear. Learn how to use the Best Practices Analyzer and the environment tests that you can run with it.  Continue Reading

• December 22, 2010 22 Dec'10

  Picking virtualization technologies: Top Systems Channel tips of 2010

  The hottest Systems Channel tips of 2010 focused on virtualization technologies. SearchSystemsChannel.com also provided some popular tips for VARs to help them create a solid 2011 virtualization strategy.  Continue Reading

• December 22, 2010 22 Dec'10

  LTO-5 tape can't stop backup hardware trend toward disk

  Headlines: Faster LTO-5 tape can't stop backup hardware trend toward disk backup and deduplication devices; leading backup software vendors partner for new disk backup appliances.  Continue Reading

• December 21, 2010 21 Dec'10

  Kinects, iPads rule this year's most-wanted gadgets list

  The Xbox Kinect, iPad tablet PCs and the iPhone-Droid smartphones top the most-wanted list for the holiday season.  Continue Reading

• December 20, 2010 20 Dec'10

  IBM seeks specialized software partners

  IBM's new certification and authorization track gives VARs a degree of differentiation in the market, but it may also take out resellers that can't invest in industry expertise.  Continue Reading

• December 20, 2010 20 Dec'10

  Egenera burnishes partner program

  Egenera touts channel partner program flexibility.  Continue Reading

• December 17, 2010 17 Dec'10

  Mobilize your mobile development

  I've been reporting two stories about technology trends for the past several weeks (a look-back and a look-forward) and one of the most recurrent themes that IT solution providers are bringing up ...  Continue Reading

• December 17, 2010 17 Dec'10

  VARs think twice before going for new IT certifications

  Vendor certifications have to prove their real-world worth in dollars and cents before VARs bite.  Continue Reading

• December 16, 2010 16 Dec'10

  EMC's Atmos Cloud Delivery Platform aims to help cloud storage providers build EMC Atmos services

  EMC launches Atmos Cloud Delivery Platform software to help cloud providers quickly build services to compete with large providers such as Amazon and Iron Mountain.  Continue Reading

• December 15, 2010 15 Dec'10

  VARs in HP partner program worry about company's direction

  Many VARs are dissatisfied with Hewlett-Packard and its partner program. New CEO Leo Apotheker's channel approach and HP's sheer size are top concerns.  Continue Reading

• December 15, 2010 15 Dec'10

  Evaluating options for portable hard drive and USB key encryption

  To protect your customers' data on portable media, should you choose a hardware or software encryption solution? Security expert Joel Snyder compares your options.  Continue Reading

• December 15, 2010 15 Dec'10

  VAR services with cloud vendors: Key considerations

  A customer using cloud computing doesn't mean there is no longer a need for services. Read the different services that you could profit from while working with cloud vendors.  Continue Reading

• December 15, 2010 15 Dec'10

  How cloud computing fits into identity federation

  Implementing identity federation along with cloud computing can make interoperation between your customers easier. Read the rules and regulations in this chapter excerpt.  Continue Reading