Features

Features

• MSPs: VCIOs fill tech leadership gap among SMB customers

  IT services companies said providing vCIOs helps their small and midsize customers acquire business and technology guidance without having to hire a full-time employee.  Continue Reading

• Tech trends 2018: Partners to grapple with AI, app modernization

  Tech trends 2018: MSPs and cloud consultants may find themselves working on AI projects, refactoring applications for the cloud, and adding containerization to their portfolios.  Continue Reading

• Software bots, MSP tool consolidation could figure in 2018

  Intelligent automation technology and a consolidating MSP software market are two of the trends expected to affect the IT services provider market in 2018.  Continue Reading

• Vendors adapt to the demands of IT services companies

  The growing market for IT services has compelled vendors such as Dell EMC and Cisco to rethink their traditional partner programs, which previously focused on reselling products.  Continue Reading

• 2018 event listings for channel companies

  When making 2018 travel plans, refer to this list of channel events -- including conferences hosted by IT vendors, distributors, industry organizations and vendors that cater to VARs and MSPs.  Continue Reading

• AI in retail opens new business opportunity for channel firms

  Channel partners with expertise in AI-powered retail technology are helping their customers transform shopping experiences and marketing strategies.  Continue Reading

• Container consulting: Channel can help deploy technology

  Channel partners may find new business opportunities in container consulting as customers grapple with container adoption and how to achieve competitive advantage.  Continue Reading

• IT channel explores finer points of DevOps consulting

  DevOps challenges are creating demand for IT consultancies such as Nebulaworks and Entisys, which both cite cultural changes as a significant customer pain point.  Continue Reading

• Digital transformation consulting emerges as partner niche

  Digital transformation consulting firms are growing in stature as they partner with traditional channel firms and IT vendors to help customers deal with digital disruption.  Continue Reading

• GDPR compliance requirements: Deadline looms for MSPs, CSPs

  When the European Union's data privacy legislation goes into effect in less than six months, service providers will be working in a new world of GDPR compliance requirements.  Continue Reading

• Brother International Europe taps Ensono for hybrid cloud

  Ensono, a hybrid IT services provider, migrated an electronics firm's SAP and Sitecore applications to a private cloud and Amazon Web Services, respectively.  Continue Reading

• Blockchain consulting work takes root in the IT channel

  While blockchain remains a nascent market in the channel, some channel companies, including Project Radium, are finding blockchain consulting opportunities in enterprise projects.  Continue Reading

• Multi-cloud architecture: Partners hone skills, build tools

  With multi-cloud deployment poised to become more widespread among enterprises, channel partners are expanding their expertise across cloud platforms and pursuing management tools.  Continue Reading

• BMC channel strategy seeks tighter partnerships in multicloud world

  Multicloud environments have given rise to a new set of customer challenges. As BMC looks to tackle these issues, the vendor said it wants partners to play a strategic role.  Continue Reading

• IT service provider companies must build trust to thrive

  Service providers can take a number of steps toward building trust with clients, including obtaining insurance to financially protect customers and earning technical certifications.  Continue Reading

• Natural disaster emergency preparedness lets MSP endure Irma

  Data Integrity Services, a managed services provider in central Florida, helped its clients through the Hurricane Irma aftermath, as well as prestorm preparation.  Continue Reading

• Channel execs grapple with IT security staffing challenges

  Channel firms say security talent is hard to find and expensive to acquire. Learn how executives are overcoming the cybersecurity skills gap.  Continue Reading

• Will digital whiteboards put partners in the black?

  Channel partners may find a resurgent whiteboard market with large IT vendors making a splash, but they will need to get a handle on products' emerging functionality.  Continue Reading

• Facebook collaboration tool leans on channel partners

  Facebook Workplace, a collaboration platform targeting the enterprise, is tapping channel partners for help in deploying the system and integrating it with other applications.  Continue Reading

• Federal IT budget: Look for security, cloud spending in 2018

  Industry executives cited an uptick in federal IT procurement activity during the government's fiscal fourth quarter and expected FY 2018 to feature security and cloud investments.  Continue Reading

• Cloud services offerings expand via acquisition activity

  The growing need for multi-cloud deployment has inspired cloud solution providers to expand their service portfolios through acquisitions and partnerships.  Continue Reading

• Why TIC Gums chose a cloud computing disaster recovery plan

  After a manufacturer recognized the risks in having its systems and data located onsite, the company implemented a cloud computing disaster recovery plan with the help of a channel partner.  Continue Reading

• MSP sales: Cloud business calls for new tactics, skills

  This rise of cloud computing is transforming the MSP sales landscape, cloud solutions providers and other channel partners. Here is how to cope.  Continue Reading

• Google cloud migration: Agosto helps e-commerce firm retool

  A Google channel partner's cloud adoption project used migration as a springboard to modernize a customer's core application via multi-tenancy and containerization.  Continue Reading

• Cisco strategy bets on software to deal with cloud shift

  Cisco has embarked on a technology transition as it deals with the effects of cloud computing and the virtualization of networking functions via software.  Continue Reading

• Cloud migration services: Use a cloud enablement company to get started

  Cloud enablement companies, such as PlumChoice, BitTitan and NetEnrich, have emerged to help small channel firms provide the migration services their customers are asking for.  Continue Reading

• Clients migrating to the cloud? Prepare for these challenges

  Cloud migration is far from simple: Channel partners should consider the challenges of workload allocation, application design and system dependencies when pursuing projects.  Continue Reading

• Dell and EMC merger poses a challenging transformation

  The Dell and EMC merger presents a multitude of opportunities for market domination -- if the integrated companies can modernize a highly complex portfolio.  Continue Reading

• Taking a look at the HPE hybrid IT strategy

  Since Hewlett Packard Enterprise's creation in 2014, the company's evolution has been marked by buyouts and divestments, bringing it to its current focus on hybrid IT.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft: Intelligent cloud, digital business remaking firm

  Microsoft appears set to pursue a greater focus on vertical markets and technology partners as it takes on digital transformation and cloud computing at the enterprise edge.  Continue Reading

• Citrix: Cloud platform, analytics among key vendor trends

  Citrix is pursing cloud, analytics and hyper-converged infrastructure as the virtualization and networking company continues its transition under new leadership.  Continue Reading

• Artificial intelligence market: Weighing the IT channel's role

  Is artificial intelligence the next big channel opportunity? The hype around AI is definitely increasing, but experts aren't yet sure where partners will fit into the market.  Continue Reading

• Big data application development: An introduction to Hadoop

  Getting into the big data market? Hadoop offers a platform for dealing with very large data sets and the technology's vendors offer training and support for channel partners.  Continue Reading

• Find your niche in big data: Consulting, software, platforms

  Channel partners looking for a niche in big data may find opportunities in consulting, predictive analytics system deployment and software implementation.  Continue Reading

• Cisco: Channel partners can take five paths to profits

  Cisco has outlined a profitability roadmap for its channel partners that must navigate Cisco's growing role in software and customers' digital transformation efforts.  Continue Reading

• Financial services platform efforts drive new partner ecosystem

  Vendors such as IBM are launching financial application development platforms in hopes of attracting fintech companies and independent software vendors.  Continue Reading

• CASB market poised for channel growth

  Fueled by cloud security concerns, the CASB market is expected to boom into a $713 million opportunity by 2020. However, not all customers yet understand the technology.  Continue Reading

• Datapipe-Adapt deal expands cloud computing on two continents

  Datapipe's 2016 acquisition of Adapt, a cloud consultant in the United Kingdom, has led to new business such as a hosted Skype for Business project at a food manufacturer.  Continue Reading

• Selling UCaaS in the highly regulated healthcare vertical

  Before selling unified communications-as-a-service solutions to healthcare organizations, channel firms should understand the industry's strict regulatory framework.  Continue Reading

• Social media tools and applications: Channel execs sharpen strategies

  Channel company executives are finding some success with social media platforms, but report it takes time and effort to develop effective social media marketing plans.  Continue Reading

• Will MSPs answer the call for cybersecurity services?

  Despite high demand, channel businesses have largely avoided developing a focus around security services. Learn how companies can do more.  Continue Reading

• DRaaS market: Ransomware, compliance open channel opportunities

  Organizations battling ransomware attacks or responding to regulatory obligations may be prime candidates for channel partners' cloud-based DR services.  Continue Reading

• How to start a cloud business: A channel partner guide

  Channel companies entering the cloud computing business must prepare for a subscription-based revenue model, cultivate partnerships and differentiate their services.  Continue Reading

• A leap into the cloud security market: The story of Fishtech

  Gary Fish is no stranger to business reinvention. In 2016, he decided to transition from background in traditional cybersecurity and spin up a cloud security firm.  Continue Reading

• Channel companies lose customer scope to incumbency challengers

  Channel companies fail to retain many of their enterprise customer accounts when contracts are up for renegotiation, according to an ISG report.  Continue Reading

• School infrastructure project: ConvergeOne upgrades aging data center

  ConvergeOne, a communications service provider, is working on a project in the education vertical that could help a school district recover $30 million in state aid.  Continue Reading

• Cloud hosting firm turns to Agiloft for customer support automation

  ENKI, a managed cloud services provider, has developed a series of applications using Agiloft's customizable business software applications platform.  Continue Reading

• SADA Systems helps startup with cloud, Kubernetes container management

  Cloud consultant SADA Systems is supporting Smyte, a SaaS startup, in a variety of ways, including Google cloud optimization, Kubernetes support and business development.  Continue Reading

• Fortinet Security Fabric: Channel partners find a role

  Fortinet's pursuit of a unified security architecture to protect against cybersecurity threats may open opportunities for channel partners in consulting and integration services.  Continue Reading

• Cybersecurity products: Channel, clients look for better integration

  Channel partners, dealing with an industry rife with IT security product sets, are looking into integrated security architectures and doing some of their own integration work.  Continue Reading

• Channel weighs integrated security solution vs. point-product approach

  Channel partners can make arguments for the integrated security suite and the best-in-class point product method, but the decision ultimately rests on a customer's specific needs.  Continue Reading

• New tech, old virtues keep server virtualization platforms going

  Server virtualization is well past the peak of the technology adoption curve, but SMB customers, open source technology and hybrid clouds keep demand going.  Continue Reading

• Cloud-based HR software: How channel partners play a strategic role

  Human resources departments initially might have lagged in moving management functions to the cloud, but adoption of the technology is gathering momentum.  Continue Reading

• Technology ROI: Partners say the numbers don't tell the whole IT story

  Organizations have traditionally focused on ROI to justify IT investment, but channel partners suggest a more convincing argument can be made beyond the financial numbers.  Continue Reading

• Recruitment techniques for IT channel companies

  Channel firms must rethink their recruitment techniques to win in today's competitive job market. Get tips for updating your channel recruitment strategy and retaining talent.  Continue Reading

• SMB customer IT spend: Barriers and how to overcome them

  Channel companies may need to overcome technical and financial obstacles among their SMB customers to encourage them to acquire and adopt new technology.  Continue Reading

• Software-defined storage solutions: A channel primer

  Channel companies have an opportunity to help their customers deploy emerging software-defined storage technology, a pursuit that may also boost a partner's consulting revenue.  Continue Reading

• IoT managed services: How channel partners can get started in 2017

  Channel partners can capture a slice of the growing IoT managed services market if they can overcome the steep learning curve.  Continue Reading

• RPA software: Blue Prism builds partner network, certification program

  Blue Prism, an RPA vendor, is building up its partner network, cultivating relationships with consulting firms and integrators such as Accenture, EY and IBM.  Continue Reading

• Cloud vendor management services see demand from SMBs

  Cloud vendor management poses a difficult set of challenges for SMB customers, opening up opportunities for channel partners to act as liaisons.  Continue Reading

• IBM cognitive computing: Tips for starting a channel practice

  At IBM's latest partner conference, platinum-level IBM Business Partners Perficient and Mark III shared the routes they took to build cognitive computing practices.  Continue Reading

• Amazon Chime: Channel execs see potential, room for improvement

  Channel partners said Amazon's new Chime unified communications offering has the potential to disrupt the market, but may need additional features to boost its competitive stance.  Continue Reading

• Marketing strategy development: Partners ply social, traditional ways

  Channel partners say they will use social media platforms and traditional marketing methods, such as trade shows and speaking engagements, as they roll out strategies in 2017.  Continue Reading

• Oracle cloud partner program aims to boost vendor's cloud sales

  Oracle's year-old cloud partner program has certified some 2,000 resellers as the company looks to bolster its cloud business and catch up with rivals.  Continue Reading

• Video game industry: A hyper-converged infrastructure market

  InData, a virtual and physical IT infrastructure partner, has discovered a hyper-converged infrastructure market in the video game industry.  Continue Reading

• HIPAA business associates can expect more penalties ahead

  HIPAA business associates can expect more compliance penalties in 2017. MSPs should take steps to ensure they are meeting the requirements.  Continue Reading

• Partners: Citrix hyper-converged tech opens VDI to midrange clients

  The Citrix Ready HCI Workspace Appliance Program, coupled with the company's Citrix Cloud, will open VDI opportunities among midmarket customers, Citrix channel partners said.  Continue Reading

• Channel: Cost, speed among benefits of hyper-converged infrastructure

  Channel partners active in hyper-converged infrastructure see an expanding set of use cases, although mission-critical applications may lag behind other HCI candidates.  Continue Reading

• Unclouding projects: Service providers weigh in on reverse migrations

  The rise of cloud computing adoption has given way to a countertrend: reverse cloud migrations. Service providers discuss the factors driving their customers' unclouding projects.  Continue Reading

• NLP technology inspires customer interaction projects in key verticals

  Natural language processing is opening opportunities in customer service, but channel companies must understand the technology's architecture and build alliances to succeed.  Continue Reading

• Seceon MSSP program 'the way a channel is supposed to work'

  Secure Designs encountered Seceon while on the hunt for the right SIEM tool. Seceon's Open Threat Management fit the bill and paved the way to a strategic partnership.  Continue Reading

• The Trump economy: IT channel weighs business opportunities for 2017

  What's ahead for channel businesses? According to industry experts, the channel should prepare for significant changes.  Continue Reading

• Channel technology trends 2017: Cloud, cybersecurity and automation

  Channel partners can expect to see plenty of activity next year in cloud computing, multicloud in particular, as well as cybersecurity and IT automation.  Continue Reading

• Machine learning projects fuel new lines of channel business

  Machine learning projects are creating a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' for partners. Get ready with the right range of skills and experience to take part.  Continue Reading

• Blockchain technology, applications spark channel opportunities

  As more enterprises consider blockchain technology, IT services firms and consultancies have an opportunity to discuss adoption strategy and deployment options with their clients.  Continue Reading

• Flawed channel data management may result in partner overpayments

  Erroneous sales data may pose potential conflicts between some vendors and their partners; however, most vendors seem more interested in keeping the peace.  Continue Reading

• AWS and VMware alliance raises questions for channel partners

  The partnership between Amazon Web Services and VMware could help partners in the enterprise cloud market, but also raises questions regarding pricing and support.  Continue Reading

• Channel events listings for 2017

  When making 2017 travel plans, refer to this list of channel events -- including conferences hosted by IT vendors, distributors, industry organizations and vendors that cater exclusively to VARs and MSPs.  Continue Reading

• Managed mobility services market: Complexity fuels channel growth

  The complex nature of enterprise mobility opens service opportunities for channel companies, but also makes for a challenging and competitive environment.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN: Providers could see strong growth, but face hurdles

  The SD-WAN market beckons with high-growth potential, but channel partners must confront incomplete feature sets, training requirements and market consolidation.  Continue Reading

• Tips to align cloud computing strategies with clients' business goals

  Many organizations remain puzzled about how cloud computing should integrate with their overall business objectives, creating an opportunity for cloud providers to step in and help.  Continue Reading

• Printer security: How to differentiate your managed print services

  In the relatively mature managed print service space, printer security creates a compelling differentiator, experts say.  Continue Reading

• The financial vertical: Big investments yield big prospects for MSPs

  Financial vertical specialization is a potentially rewarding pursuit for managed services providers willing to make the investment.  Continue Reading

• Ransomware infections: Channel toils to defend besieged customers

  Channel partners are working with customers on ransomware defense strategies and risk mitigation amid a rising tide of costly and disruptive infections.  Continue Reading

• MSP ticketing system: Autotask's new UI draws round of applause

  Autotask's new ticketing system user interface ranked among the top developments at the company's annual partner conference. Channel companies tell why.  Continue Reading

• Channel partnerships: How to form alliances with peers

  Strategic alliances with your channel peers could be the key to expanding your business. However, it takes more than a handshake to create a successful partnership.  Continue Reading

• Cloud distributor model makes channel partner inroads

  Emerging cloud distribution companies aim to help channel partners find the right cloud offering for their customers and also provide deployment and support services.  Continue Reading

• Salesforce telehealth system lets channel add real-time video, audio

  Salesforce's telehealth tool, built on top of its Health Cloud platform, offers partners the ability to add real-time video and audio to their healthcare vertical offerings.  Continue Reading

• MSP documentation: Why it's essential to scaling your business

  In the past, IT service managers might have gotten away with storing important info in their brains; today, having solid MSP documentation is essential to growing your business.  Continue Reading

• What does the role of CDO mean for channel companies?

  Chief digital officers may hold the keys to many of your customers' decisions, and, just as importantly, to your own company's evolution.  Continue Reading

• Business influencers: What guides your IT channel decisions?

  Channel executives are responsible for making tough decisions that impact the fates of their companies. We asked a few company chiefs to name the top influencers that shape their leadership.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing: Ecosystem challenges and how to navigate them

  Channel companies can find a wealth of opportunities in cloud ecosystems, but must take care to navigate challenges such as vetting partners and addressing liability concerns.  Continue Reading

• Cloud verticalization: How to tailor offerings to an industry

  Experts share insight into cloud verticalization, a process for adapting cloud offerings to an industry's unique IT requirements and business problems.  Continue Reading

• State procurement model reform a boon for channel partners

  As state CIOs modernize their approach to IT procurement, channel partners may discover unprecedented bidding opportunities.  Continue Reading

• Cloud services: Market opportunity bypasses many channel companies

  While the cloud reaches critical mass among customers of all sizes, many partners don't offer cloud services or have yet to make cloud services a major revenue contributor.  Continue Reading

• Niche apps: Channel companies benefit from specialty software

  Niche applications aren't just for consumers: Channel partners are leveraging specialized software to tackle a range of challenges in fields from AI to EDI.  Continue Reading

• Application portfolios the focus of channel partnership

  CAST Software Inc.'s partner program seeks ties to technology vendors and service providers in the application portfolio management and enterprise architecture markets.  Continue Reading

• MSP operations: Channel seeks automated systems to address pain points

  Managed services providers are seeking the right mix of automated tools to boost efficiency, optimize business processes and reduce the cost of delivering services to customers.  Continue Reading

• Credentialing process helps IT service providers differentiate

  MSPs and other channel partners are pursuing rigorous audits and credentialing regimens as a way to stand out from their competitors in the IT services market.  Continue Reading

• Software robots: Enterprises ask for RPA technology on new services contracts

  Robotic process automation is making its way into new outsourcing contracts and playing a role in reinvigorating existing deals, according to industry executives.  Continue Reading