Features

Features

• VARs adding value to the IT procurement process

  VARs are finding success -- and profit -- in adding value to the IT procurement process, addressing inventory, warranty, pricing and testing issues.  Continue Reading

• Compliance, CRM for financial advisors represent growing niche for channel

  There's a growing opportunity around compliance and CRM for financial advisors. Learn how IT solution providers are helping RIAs and dealer-brokers.  Continue Reading

• Cloud certifications for solution providers: Are they worth the investment?

  Cloud certifications promise market differentiation for solution providers, but some observers say the field is too broad to certify against.  Continue Reading

• Managing vendor relationships: When to fire your vendor

  Hear from two channel pros who have faced the decision to terminate a vendor partnership, and learn how they weighed the factors involved.  Continue Reading

• IT consulting market outlook: It's growing, but slowly

  While IT consulting market bellwether Accenture had a disappointing third quarter, the sector in general looks to be on a growth track.  Continue Reading

• VAR business challenges: Learning new technologies

  Among VAR business challenges, learning new technologies ranks near the top. Find out why it's such a problem and how your peers are addressing it.  Continue Reading

• RMM software selection process factors: Integration and beyond

  The choice you make when selecting RMM software often boils down to the best combination of integration, deployment and automation characteristics.  Continue Reading

• Telecom, IT providers engage in turf wars, partnerships as they face the cloud

  Telecom and cable companies are eyeing ground traditionally held by IT solution providers as both face the encroaching cloud services market.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing SLA failures: Preparing for the aftermath

  The aftermath of a cloud computing SLA failure is hectic if providers don't have a detailed plan in place that they can share with customers.  Continue Reading

• Education IT: Education resellers find business among cost-conscious K-12 schools

  Read up on three areas in education IT -- A/V projects, Chromebooks and application integration -- in which VARs are reporting increased business.  Continue Reading

• Technology business development plan: Overcoming challenges

  Find out how IT solution providers are approaching the challenges of building a successful business development plan.  Continue Reading

• KPIs: Monitoring VAR business metrics for a better bottom line

  Find out how your peers are monitoring their VAR business metrics, identifying trends and making operational changes to improve the bottom line.  Continue Reading

• Channel recruitment and VAR staffing best practices

  For many solution providers, VAR staffing challenges present a stumbling block for growth. Get advice for overcoming those challenges.  Continue Reading

• Conducting technology market research for new techs, products

  Find out how channel partners approach researching the market potential of techs or products they're considering adding as a business offering.  Continue Reading

• Barracuda Networks Partner Program Checklist

  Learn the benefits of becoming a Barracuda Networks reseller partner with our Partner Program Checklist.  Continue Reading

• PSA software market: Key capabilities, vendor differentiation

  PSA software is evolving, with most products adopting a cloud-based model. Your choice of a product will likely boil down to support for other apps.  Continue Reading

• Sustainability technology solutions: Green ERP, building modeling

  Solution providers interested in sustainability technology are finding good potential around green ERP products and business modeling consulting.  Continue Reading

• Pricing strategies for services: Managing solution provider margins

  Find out about the methods and techniques solution providers are using to set IT services pricing, including setting baseline formulas.  Continue Reading

• Solution provider agreement issues: Protection of intellectual property

  The evolving nature of relationships with customers and partners demands greater vigilance around your intellectual property.  Continue Reading

• VAR agreement termination: How to avoid getting fired by your vendor

  Vendors can (and sometimes do) fire their channel partners, for a variety of reasons. Find out how to avoid VAR agreement termination.  Continue Reading

• IT channel sales cycle: How to close a sales deal more quickly

  Learn four best practices for shortening the IT channel sales cycle and close deals more quickly.  Continue Reading

• Vendor marketing collateral trend: More focused, easier-to-digest material

  Vendors and VARs agree that vendors have upgraded their marketing material and delivery methods. But there's still room for improvement.  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• Cloud single sign-on adds convenience, but does it sacrifice security?

  Cloud SSO has become desirable as more companies adopt applications using multiple cloud services. But providers must not jeopardize security.  Continue Reading

• What are the top three IT vertical markets in 2012?

  Channel partners say health care IT services still rank above other IT vertical markets, but real estate and energy practices show promise.  Continue Reading

• Upgrading to SSD gives SMBs performance boost on aging PCs

  Solution providers can revive customers’ sluggish desktops and laptops by upgrading to solid-state drives. SSDs are a good sales opportunity if you have cash-strapped SMB customers.  Continue Reading

• Hadoop ecosystem creates growing niche for channel

  The Hadoop ecosystem provides channel partners with the ability to sell software, services and hardware around big data projects.  Continue Reading

• Online data storage services can still be profitable, providers say

  Solution providers can use online data storage services as the first step toward selling more valuable IT services to customers.  Continue Reading

• A cloud broker can be a cloud provider's best friend

  Gartner says most cloud customers will be using cloud brokers by 2015. Cloud providers need to build partnerships with them today.  Continue Reading

• Cloud service management and cloud monitoring for providers: A primer

  In this primer, learn how providers can use cloud service management and cloud monitoring tools to maximize performance, reduce costs and differentiate their cloud services.  Continue Reading

• Using AuditPol to audit Windows users and set policies

  Solution providers may find value in the AuditPol utility for auditing and organizing Windows users, setting policies and configuring settings such as user privileges.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization high availability architecture guide for VARs

  Although implementing a virtualization high availability (HA) architecture may seem like an enticing option for cash-strapped customers, solution providers should know the HA requirements and its potential drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• Managing your customer's Hyper-V system state, virtual hard disks

  Solution providers who want to maintain their customer’s Hyper-V environment will want to focus on managing system state and virtual hard disks (VHDs) by learning VHD management functions.  Continue Reading

• Forming a vSphere upgrade strategy: Upgrading vCenter Server and ESX, ESXi

  During the vSphere upgrade process you will need to upgrade your customer’s vCenter Server, ESX and ESXi hosts and virtual machines. Get the best upgrade methods in this chapter excerpt.  Continue Reading

• Creating, viewing and installing Oracle Solaris 10 into a domain

  Check out the proper commands to create a guest domain, view its devices and install Oracle Solaris 10 into it while monitoring the domain's activity.  Continue Reading

• Logical Domains migration tips for VARs in Oracle Solaris 10

  Read the differences between Logical Domains’ warm and cold migration to CMT servers and how to use the Logical Domains Physical to Virtual (P2V) tool and Configuration Assistant.  Continue Reading

• Configuring, implementing Logical Domains in Oracle Solaris 10

  Learn what separates Logical Domains from other hypervisors and use this excerpt to find out all the relevant information for VARs on domain implementation and configuration.  Continue Reading

• XenServer VM and CPU resource sharing: FAQ

  Delve into XenServer VM and CPU resource sharing management for your customer’s environment in this FAQ.  Continue Reading

• Setting up and installing applications in Windows XP Mode

  After installing Windows XP Mode on Windows 7, you will need to set it up properly. Follow the steps in this chapter excerpt to perform tasks such as installing applications.  Continue Reading

• Configuring VMotion SVMotion: Requirements for VARs

  Learn what configuration and compatibility requirements are necessary for VMotion and SVmotion, such as at least having a Gigabit Ethernet network adapter.  Continue Reading

• VSphere Fault Tolerance requirements and FT logging

  To provide continuous availability for a VM in case of a host failure, you'll need a strong understanding of VSphere Fault Tolerance (FT) requirements and FT logging.  Continue Reading

• Enabling VMware HA, DRS: Advanced vSphere features

  Learn how to configure vSphere features such as VMware HA and DRS that will ease VM management if a host failure occurs and help balance resources in your customer's environment.  Continue Reading

• Working with configuration files in Linux systems

  Learn how to find and edit configuration files in your customers' Linux systems by using the shell commands provided in this chapter excerpt.  Continue Reading

• 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 trying to customize their customers' Linux environments.  Continue Reading

• VSphere license options for solution providers: FAQ

  Become familiar with the different VSphere license options that will appeal to both SMB and enterprise customers, as well as possible license limitations to keep in mind.  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• IPv6 addressing brings benefits, few problems to storage administrators

  IPv6 addressing brings benefits to storage networking in terms of scalability and performance, without big downsides for storage administrators.  Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2008 R2 editions and Hyper-V licensing FAQ

  Knowing the capabilities of all Windows Server 2008 R2 editions and how they pertain to Hyper-V licensing will prevent issues from popping up when selling Windows Server 2008 R2.  Continue Reading

• How to use nsswitch.com to find Linux system information

  In this chapter excerpt, learn to find information in your customers' Linux systems by using nsswitch.conf to search for information types, including netgroups or networks, and method searches such as dns or nis.  Continue Reading

• Secure your Linux server with a chroot jail or TCP wrappers

  Decide whether to secure a customer's Linux system servers using chroot jail or with TCP wrappers, and learn how to run commands with each method.  Continue Reading

• Linux DHCP server and client: Configuration and deployment

  DHCP offers several benefits that you can't get from storing network configuration information in local files. Learn the best practices for a successful Linux-based DHCP server and DHCP client configuration and deployment.  Continue Reading

• Parallel processing: Using parallel SQL effectively

  Using parallel processing only makes sense for your customers in specific situations. Find out when to use parallel SQL with the Oracle databse to avoid excessive usage.  Continue Reading

• Using parallel SQL with Oracle parallel hint to improve database performance

  Enhance customers' Oracle database performance by using parallel SQL with an Oracle parallel hint, enabling a SQL statement to be simultaneously processed by multiple threads or processes.  Continue Reading

• Parallel execution: Determining SQL suitability, benefits

  When deciding whether SQL is suitable for parallel execution, consider the factors listed in this chapter excerpt, such as the execution time needed for SQL statements.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Management Shell, Queue Viewer: Message tracking tools

  Learn how Exchange 2010 message tracking tools, such as Queue Viewer, allow solution providers to uncover potential mail flow issues in their customers' Exchange Server 2010 systems.  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• MMC console management: Adding Windows 7 snap-ins

  From ActiveX Control to Task Scheduler, there are many Windows 7 snap-ins available. Check out the different user and configuration settings that manage a customer's MMC console.  Continue Reading

• Using the Disk Management MMC to manage Windows 7 disks

  The Disk Management MMC snap-in can simplify Windows 7 management by helping with tasks, such as converting disks from basic to dynamic or creating a new striped volume.  Continue Reading

• Hardware devices for Windows 7: Installation, management

  Ease Windows 7 management by knowing the different types of hardware devices, such as internal drives, that can be installed, and how to use Windows Update for driver downloads.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Using Resource Governor in SQL Server 2008 R2 to allocate resources

  Ensure your customer's SQL Server 2008 R2 environment has the proper resources by determining workload group requirements with Resource Governor and classifying server requests.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 troubleshooting: Top 10 resources

  There are a number of potential problems during a Windows 7 upgrade. These Windows 7 troubleshooting resources can help you configure SSDs and resolve a Windows 7 freeze.  Continue Reading

• FAQ guide: Bandwidth management services projects

  Bandwidth management services can be a lucrative addition to any networking solution provider's portfolio. Learn how to provide bandwidth management products and services in this FAQ guide with IT expert Ron Barrett.  Continue Reading

• Choosing between Red Hat Enterprise Linux backup utilities

  Determining a backup schedule and which Linux utilities, such as tar or dump/restore, to use in your customer's environment can be crucial decisions in case of a disaster.  Continue Reading

• Enabling User Manager in Red Hat Enterprise Linux

  User Manager in Red Hat Enterprise Linux helps solution providers add, delete and modify system users and groups. Find out what the useradd and groupadd utilities can offer.  Continue Reading

• The benefits of cloud storage services

  Cloud storage services can ease the pain of backup tasks and have short- and long-term use cases. Solution providers should emphasize cloud storage's various benefits to customers.  Continue Reading

• Cloud applications: A programming languages background

  If your customers are clamoring for cloud-based applications, you need to get a grip on various kinds of applications and the programming languages used to create these apps.  Continue Reading

• Choosing a wireless networking vendor

  When selecting wireless networking vendors as partners, you want to make sure you fully understand the benefits as a reseller. This Partner Program Directory examines wireless vendors across the board, including major vendors and some smaller ones. ...  Continue Reading

• How to save Perfmon data using Windows 7 performance monitor

  There is a great deal of performance data to sort through in Windows 7, but the performance monitor uses data collector sets to allow you to view and analyze collected data.  Continue Reading

• Windows task manager: Viewing Windows 7 processes and applications

  If applications or processes in a customer's Windows 7 operating system aren't responding, you can use the task manager to view, end and restart them.  Continue Reading

• Using the reliability and resource monitor in Windows 7

  Solutions providers can ensure Windows 7 operating system stability by using the reliability monitor. The resource monitor will help keep track of system usage, including CPU.  Continue Reading

• Using system properties to configure Windows 7 options

  The system properties dialogue box in Windows 7 is split up into five tabs that let you change your customer's computer name or dual-boot settings.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 administrative tools: Creating shortcuts

  Windows 7 administrative tools such as the iSCSI Initiator may be under your radar, but you can use them to help customers more easily manage everyday tasks.  Continue Reading

• NAS clustering: What it is and how it's being used

  Find out about the different meanings of the term NAS clustering, how it's being used for scalability, its limitations and how it differs from file virtualization.  Continue Reading

• VSphere management FAQ: Virtual machine host resources

  Get answers to your frequently asked questions about vSphere management, including information on virtual machine (VM) host resources and how to configure VM settings.  Continue Reading

• NAC security: Network access control policy, product best practices

  A network access control (NAC) policy can make or break the security of your customer's network. Learn about the benefits of NAC and implementation in this cheat sheet comprised of our best NAC security content.  Continue Reading

• VMware HA implementation and ESX/ESXi host addition

  Implementing VMware HA, which offers automatic failover for virtual machines, requires you to ensure the DNS server is configured and to add ESX/EXSi hosts to a VMware HA cluster.  Continue Reading

• HA cluster configuration: Requirements and steps

  Consider these requirements and settings, such as admission control, prior to a HA cluster configuration and use the HA restart priority and isolation response post-configuration.  Continue Reading

• Using Microsoft Cluster Services for virtual machine clustering

  Microsoft Cluster Services are useful for the different virtual machine (VM) clustering scenarios that are available, such as cluster in a box, and help with cluster node creation.  Continue Reading

• Running Windows 7 applications: Using Windows Virtual PC, XP Mode

  This chapter excerpt offers information on how the Windows Virtual PC and XP Mode features can help Windows 7 applications to run smoothly.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 compatibility: Solving Hardware, software issues

  Windows 7 compatibility has improved over previous Windows versions, especially when it comes to finding and installing hardware easily, and overcoming software incompatibilities.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor: Hardware, software compatibility

  Use this chapter excerpt to find out how to use the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to test hardware compatibility, including printers and hard drives, and software compatibility.  Continue Reading

• How to restore system state backup in Windows Server 2008 R2

  Use this chapter excerpt to find out how to perform a bare-metal recovery and system state recovery in Windows Server 2008 R2, including how to use Windows system recovery tools.  Continue Reading

• Windows server backup in Windows Server 2008 R2

  Take a look at the best practices for Windows server backup in Windows Server 2008 R2, including configuring backup settings and performing system state and bare-metal backups.  Continue Reading

• SAS-2: Benefits and drawbacks of the newest Serial Attached SCSI version

  Learn about the latest version of Serial Attached SCSI, SAS-2, including which segment of the market it holds advantages for, how it compares with Fibre Channel and SATA, and its key drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• VCenter Server installation requirements

  Properly preparing for a vCenter Server installation involves identifying hardware, operating system, database and networking requirements before implementation.  Continue Reading

• VCenter Server installation steps and components

  Take a look at this excerpt and learn the vCenter Server installation steps, including how to install a vSphere client and vCenter components such as vCenter Guided Consolidation.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 SSD optimization tools and benefits

  For Windows 7 solid-state drive optimization, you must have extensive knowledge of SSD tools, including SSD Tweaker. Find out about other useful tools and the benefits of SSD.  Continue Reading

• SSD firmware, performance measurements for Windows 7

  When moving clients from conventional hard drives to solid-state drives, it's vital to have the latest SSD firmware version and to compare performance before and after implementation.  Continue Reading

• Siemens Partner Program Checklist

  This Partner Program Checklist examines Siemens' partner program, including the different tiers and what partners can expect out of the program.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 features, requirements: Study guide

  Test your knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 features, hardware and system requirements and find out how to benefit from new features such as Master Data Services.  Continue Reading

• Choosing vSphere vs. Hyper-V vs. XenServer

  When comparing vSphere vs. Hyper-V vs. XenServer, there are many factors to consider, including the customers' environment and each hypervisor's features.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 server roles, prerequisites, high availability

  When installing Exchange Server 2010, you need to have an understanding of server roles, prerequisites and high availability, which are all key topics in this chapter excerpt.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 requirements: Hardware, Active Directory

  You should know the hardware and Active Directory requirements for Exchange Server 2010 before deployment, including the memory needed and global catalog server placement.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 role-based access control

  Exchange Server 2010 role-based access control allows you flexibility when configuring permissions and includes roles such as management role scope and organization management.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing provider services and platforms

  Use this chapter excerpt to get definitions of the different types of cloud computing provider services, including application-as-a-service and integration-as-a-service.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2

  Learn the best methods to enabling PowerShell remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2, including using cmdlets or the Server Manager to configure PowerShell remoting.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell profiles in Windows Server 2008 R2

  There are four different types of PowerShell profiles in Windows Server 2008 R2, including the all users profile, and you will learn the settings and uses of each of them.  Continue Reading