Features

Features

• 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

• Channel compliance controls: SSAE 16 audit requirements rigorous

  Channel companies need to pay up for SSAE audits and develop policies, processes and documentation around regulatory compliance, say experts at ChannelCon 2016.  Continue Reading

• HIPAA compliance services a double-edged sword

  Before MSPs take on HIPAA compliance work, experts advise they understand the regulatory framework they're subject under, obtain certifications and mitigate the risks.  Continue Reading

• Remote monitoring and management tools: Some assembly required

  Managed service providers use custom integration to unify monitoring tools in a bid to simplify what otherwise could become out-of-control automation.  Continue Reading

• Partner portals aim to strengthen vendor-channel relationships

  Technology vendors are launching or reworking channel program portals, offering partners the ability to register deals, receive training and obtain marketing materials online.  Continue Reading

• Workspace as a service offers channel partners DaaS alternative

  Channel executives contend workspace as a service offers the ability to support BYOD environments and provides a less jarring shift to the cloud than desktop as a service.  Continue Reading

• Company culture ideas to boost your IT channel teams

  Developing a rich company culture is not often at the top of channel executives' to-do lists, but maybe it should be. Applying these company culture ideas could pay off.  Continue Reading

• MSP security portfolios: How to offer security awareness training

  Expand your MSP security portfolio by offering security awareness training, an important layer to clients' overall security initiatives.  Continue Reading

• IT hardware sales endure as channel partner business

  Industry executives say hardware remains a key part of a channel partner's business mix, even with the rise of monthly recurring revenue from service sales.  Continue Reading

• Software defined networking projects: Channel can expect more work

  SDN projects are hindered by complexity and a lack of client skills, but those factors could also help channel partners land consulting gigs with customers seeking expertise.  Continue Reading

• Channel: Lack of cloud governance framework complicates adoption story

  MSPs and IT service providers say some customers lack a coherent strategy, while others face EBITDA challenges as they grapple with cloud adoption.  Continue Reading

• Managed IT security services firms resell cloud-based offerings

  Managed service providers are reselling security as a service offerings from third-party providers to expand their service portfolios in the IT security arena.  Continue Reading

• IT security service provider taps Kaseya to deliver cloud offerings

  Internet & Telephone, a managed service provider, is offering its customers cloud-based IT security services through Kaseya's IT management platform tech.  Continue Reading

• Cloud-based security helps channel partners cut client costs

  Channel partners are helping their customers adopt security in the cloud, which executives say provides cost-effective protection compared with on-premises technology.  Continue Reading

• Password management tools open partner opportunities

  Channel partners report increasing demand for password management systems, amid challenges associated with cloud computing, mobile technology and small business security.  Continue Reading

• Startup tech companies seek savvy channel partners

  Early-stage companies participating in the 2016 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium's Innovation Showcase are pursuing relations with channel partners that can incorporate their products into broader offerings.  Continue Reading

• Software robots transforming IT services industry

  IT service providers, particularly large, global outsourcing firms, are helping customers deploy robotic process automation and also using the technology internally.  Continue Reading

• RPA software: Service firms automate customers, themselves

  IT service providers pursue differing robotic process automation projects, while navigating the technology's cognitive developments and labor considerations.  Continue Reading

• IT security market: The cost of building a cybersecurity practice

  Expanding into IT security services can be a costly endeavor for channel firms, requiring investment in new processes, talent and partnerships.  Continue Reading

• Cloud vendor relationship management for channel partners

  Account management, marketing support and cloud performance -- these are just a few of the concerns that channel partners may have when working with cloud vendors.  Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery certification: Must have or nice to have?

  Channel partners have a number of options for disaster recovery training and certification, but some execs see greater value in certifying in specific DR technologies.  Continue Reading

• Role of distribution changes with accent on services

  Distributors are offering channel partners an expanding range of services, including network assessment, managed services, hosted offerings and IT asset disposition.  Continue Reading

• Vology's transition toward an integrator business model

  Vology has used a combination of acquisitions and organic growth as it transitions from a product-oriented approach to an IT services provider business model.  Continue Reading

• Channel business model: Transition time for IT partners

  Partners may pursue a number of business model transitions over the course of their business lives, including resell to services, services to managed services and MSP to cloud.  Continue Reading

• 'Compliance as a service': How to stay out of hot water

  Before leaping into IT compliance services, MSPs must make sure they're following best practices. Some mistakes could potentially cost them their businesses.  Continue Reading

• Cloud marketplaces: Can channel partners make money?

  Channel partners can take advantage of many cloud marketplace options as part of their go-to-market strategies. Here's what you need to know to get started.  Continue Reading

• Channel partner marketing: Offloading the work to specialists

  Channel partners, who have long bemoaned the challenges of marketing themselves, turn to outside specialists for help optimizing their website design and content.  Continue Reading

• Tech OEMs: Gray market goods are a growing concern

  The gray market revisited: A KPMG report explores whether the sale of gray market products has decreased since 2008 when economic conditions proved conducive to unauthorized sales channels.  Continue Reading

• BPM platforms unlock channel partner opportunities

  Channel partners say business process management offers greater opportunity today in light of lower BPM platform costs and increased awareness of what the tools can accomplish.  Continue Reading

• Dropbox partner ecosystem helps with security, shadow IT

  Dropbox channel partners, which number more than 2,200 worldwide, are looking for places to add value around the file storage service as it moves into the business space.  Continue Reading

• Retail health clinics set to emerge as channel partner market

  Healthcare-oriented channel partners should keep tabs on the emerging retail health clinic space, which could harbor systems integration and consulting opportunities.  Continue Reading

• IT migration case study: Partner helps downsize data center

  HighVail, an IT consulting and professional services firm, helped Empire Life downsize its data center, migrate business applications and create a new disaster recovery site.  Continue Reading

• Integrating legacy systems, hybrid clouds: Channel partner tips

  Channel partners need not flinch at legacy systems and cloud integration. An application audit, attention to latency issues and a solid connectivity model can help ease the task.  Continue Reading

• Cybersecurity services: MSPs look to expand portfolios

  MSPs are pushing beyond traditional services such as patch and firewall management as they look to stand out from other companies offering managed IT security services.  Continue Reading

• IP assets: Channel companies seek differentiation

  Channel partners are building their own IP assets to help differentiate themselves. That strategy involves a learning curve and requires a resource commitment, however.  Continue Reading

• Managed services companies rethink their portfolios

  MSPs have to consider whether the gaps in their portfolios leave them exposed to competitors, especially as nontraditional managed services companies target their market.  Continue Reading

• Cloud management tool strategies: Channel weighs hybrid options

  Automation is a must for managing a hybrid cloud environment. Channel partners are tapping commercially available products and homegrown capabilities to get the job done.  Continue Reading

• Chief customer officers find home among cloud providers

  Channel partners offering cloud services see value in appointing a chief customer officer to strengthen relationships with customers in a complex and competitive market.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud technology: A channel partner overview

  The hybrid cloud model offers a flexible way to meet clients' IT needs. But there are several factors channel partners should consider when building a hybrid cloud environment.  Continue Reading

• Sales and marketing strategy: Tips for MSP partners

  MSPs need sales and marketing in order to grow a company beyond the startup stage. Industry executives provide their views on how to build such capabilities.  Continue Reading

• IoT tutorial: Mitigating security risks in connected environments

  In this IoT tutorial, we examine the key security vulnerabilities that your clients face in connected environments and offer strategies to mitigate the risks.  Continue Reading

• Software-defined networking tutorial to improve security

  In this software-defined networking tutorial, we examine SDN's unique vulnerabilities and experts weigh in with advice about protecting your clients against attacks.  Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged architecture tutorial: Mitigating the security risks

  In this IT security tutorial, we explore key vulnerabilities of hyper-converged infrastructure technology that could potentially affect your customers.  Continue Reading

• MDF funds: How MSPs can get their cut of the marketing money

  Market development funds are there for the asking. Learning the details of individual programs -- and demonstrating sales and technical strength -- can help you get your share  Continue Reading

• IT channel training and certification: Priorities shift in 2016

  Leading IT vendors such as Microsoft and Salesforce are looking to transform how they deliver channel training and accredit their partners this year.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN technology offers channel partner opportunities

  SD-WAN promises to reduce the cost and complexity of WANs, while boosting the performance of real-time applications, according to channel partners and tech vendors.  Continue Reading

• Citrix channel partners encouraged to pursue IT services

  At Citrix Summit 2016, company and partner executives pointed to certification, specialization and consulting services as ways channel companies can stand out from the crowd.  Continue Reading

• Thought leadership content marketing: How the IT channel can benefit

  Channel partners use thought leadership content marketing strategies to get in front of potential customers and build credibility within the industry.  Continue Reading

• IT services: Remote monitoring and management to get boost in 2016

  Old MSP standbys such as RMM and backup/disaster recovery will find rejuvenation this year, according to executives. Business process management will rank among the new trends.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure partnership with HPE: Channel reaction

  News analysis: The recent alliance between Microsoft Azure and HPE could eventually open opportunities for the channel, but appears to have minimal short-term impact.  Continue Reading

• Cloud-based time-tracking system: TQS logs hours with Replicon

  A cloud-based time-tracking system enabled Total Quality Systems to scale with growing business demands and provide its mobile employees with a flexible way to log hours.  Continue Reading

• Cloud experience works if partners sell what they use

  Channel partners who use cloud-based apps and services in-house to run their operations say they can leverage that background when approaching external customers.  Continue Reading

• Channel companies enjoy solid business growth in 2015

  Channel partners speaking with SearchITChannel say they grew revenue in 2015 and now aim to solidify their business strategies for the coming year.  Continue Reading

• Funding for MSPs: VC investors, angels and other sources

  When raising money for your MSP business, several factors will determine whether the best approach is to solicit funding from VC investors or from sources closer to home.  Continue Reading

• IT asset disposition: QTS teams with Apto

  QTS, which operates data centers and provides cloud and managed services, has tapped Apto Solutions to assist with ITAD services.  Continue Reading

• 2016 channel trends: Digital transformation to alter relationships

  A look ahead: Digital transformation trends will persist into 2016, impacting channel shops, their vendor partners and end clients. Notable techs will include cloud, security and IoT.  Continue Reading

• VMware's NSX: Integrator deploys SDN tech at CBOSS

  CBOSS, a payment processing service provider, hired integrator AdvizeX to deploy NSX, the VMware network virtualization platform, as part of a software-defined networking project.  Continue Reading

• 2015 in review: Dell-EMC deal among top events impacting channel

  The pending Dell-EMC deal and HP's split into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise topped the list of significant events for IT news in 2015 from a channel perspective.  Continue Reading

• AWS Audit: MSP partners reveal how they passed

  Amazon Web Services has devised a stringent third-party audit process that channel partners must pass to become a designated Managed Service Partner. Here's how to make it through.  Continue Reading

• 2016 channel events listings

  When making 2016 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

• E-commerce channel partners prep merchants for holiday sales

  Channel partners in the e-commerce space are optimizing and testing shopping sites for what one market watcher predicts will be a $95 billion-plus sales season.  Continue Reading

• Channel startups: How business partner agreements protect your investments

  When starting channel businesses, making the wrong decisions about the business partner agreement and entity selection can have severe consequences later on down the line.  Continue Reading

• How to build out your managed print service business

  Channel partners adapt to the changing managed print service market by pushing into software and creating services to meet the needs of vertical and niche industries.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 and 4: A business play for channel partners

  Microsoft channel partners cite an uptick in Surface Pro sales in the enterprise, with healthcare, retail and law enforcement among the leading markets.  Continue Reading

• Application rationalization: Assess your clients' cloud options

  To determine which apps to migrate to cloud and which to maintain on premises, application rationalization projects analyze numerous aspects of your customers' businesses.  Continue Reading

• Apple's iPad contends for the 2-in-1 device market

  Channel partners can sell Microsoft and Apple products in the tablet segment and the emerging market for 2-in-1 devices. Read on to learn more about the Apple option.  Continue Reading

• Oracle: Partners can find work in engineered systems, cloud

  Oracle's recently appointed channel sales vice president emphasizes 'Oracle on Oracle' engineered systems, the company's cloud portfolio and midmarket accounts.  Continue Reading

• Security consulting firms find niche in breach detection platforms

  Channel partners, particularly those with IT security experience, may find new opportunities in the emerging field of breach detection technology.  Continue Reading

• vSphere training uses gamification to reach more channel partners

  VMware said the use of gamification has increased the number of channel partners who pursue the company's vSphere and non-core product training each month.  Continue Reading

• Partners avoid liability issues with channel customer contracts

  Channel partners must ensure they make customer contracts they can abide by. The managing attorney of InfoTech Law Advocates outlines a number of common liability issues.  Continue Reading

• Outdated technology: A channel partner challenge

  Channel companies find no shortage of out-of-date technologies -- from Windows Server 2003 machines to aging Unix systems -- in their customer's data centers.  Continue Reading

• Securing data in the cloud: Should channel partners build a practice?

  Channel partners have an opportunity to provide cloud security consulting services as clients seek to bolster cloud data protection amid growing cybersecurity threats.  Continue Reading