Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• SMB customers growing more reliant on technology and the IT channel

  SMBs see greater value in IT today than they have in the past, giving partners opportunities to penetrate deeper into this enormous market segment. Continue Reading

• Tech Buyer Snapshots: Selling technology in the channel

  Understand your customers' top priorities behind a range of technology purchases. This guide of "Tech Buyer Snapshots" will help you identify important purchasing drivers, product features and more. Continue Reading

• Cisco Intercloud: Benefits for cloud providers and their customers

  Channel partners can get involved in Cisco Intercloud in a number of ways. Learn how to take advantage of Cisco Intercloud's unique benefits. Continue Reading

• VMware network virtualization software heralds prospects for MSPs

  While MSPs and their customers are generally tepid toward it, observers foresee market growth on the horizon with VMware network virtualization software. Continue Reading

• Why MSPs and SMBs see potential in hosted virtual desktops

  MSPs look to grow business around hosted virtual desktops but face challenges in delivering their offerings. Find out if the technology suits your clients. Continue Reading

• IT channel income comparison: How does your salary stack up?

  The results of our second-annual IT channel salary survey are in. Take a look at average compensation sliced by job role, company type, region, job satisfaction and more.Continue Reading

• Two ways to ramp up your cloud computing revenue

  In the cloud world, single-digit profit margins don't have to be the new norm, says Jason Bystrak. Here are two ideas for accelerating cloud computing revenue.Continue Reading

• Meeting your clients' big data project demands

  In the next installment of our Tech Buyer Snapshot series, we highlight the business goals and challenges your clients are facing in their big data projects -- plus, how they intend to buy the technology.Continue Reading

• Three avenues to cloud archiving services

  For customers with significant data and email archiving needs, the cloud has become an appealing storage option. To meet the customer demand for cloud archiving services, IT companies must decide which delivery method makes the most sense for them -...Continue Reading

• Is hosted private cloud right for your MSP business?

  Mark Cavaliero of Carolinas IT explains how he built a successful cloud services business by spinning out hosted private cloud services.Continue Reading

• Why LAN Infotech resells cloud-based email archiving

  Instead of white-labeling or building a cloud-based email service, LAN Infotech decided to resell the service. Learn what factored into its decision.Continue Reading

• Why Rackspace chose to white-label cloud archiving services

  Resell, white-label or build your own cloud-based archiving services? Of these three delivery options, Rackspace decided to white-label cloud services from Sonian.Continue Reading

• Expedient Data Centers builds Evermore from ground up

  Solution providers may decide to build their own cloud archiving service offering instead of reselling, as Expedient Data Centers did with Evermore.Continue Reading

• Can IT service providers be thought leaders on Docker technology?

  Execs say using Docker technology could significantly impact MSPs and cloud services firms. Read about partners that found business opportunities.Continue Reading

• IT channel business model: Blurred lines and new strategies

  For channel partners today, the pressure is on to disrupt and change your business model. The strategic changes you make today will matter tomorrow.Continue Reading

• Vetting cloud service providers: Five things to consider

  Your investigation of potential cloud services provider partners should hinge upon more than customer preference, says Jason Bystrak of Ingram Micro Cloud.Continue Reading

• How to protect your SMB customer against sophisticated cyberattacks

  Service providers must up their game to protect their SMB customers from evolving security threats. Stanley Louissant offers best practices for ensuring your clients and their data remain secure.Continue Reading

• Cloud brokerage: Are cloud brokers 'tomorrow's system integrators'?

  With the cloud brokerage market expected to reach $160 billion by 2018, traditional IT companies vie with cloud brokers to tap into the growing customer demand.Continue Reading

• The true IT MSP model: Why are you still doing break/fix?

  The managed services business model has been around for years. So why can't some IT services firms break their reliance on break/fix work?Continue Reading

• IT hiring best practices for channel partners in the war for talent

  Hiring best practices might be your best weapon to gain ground in today's war for IT talent. Tech recruiters provide sage advice for boosting hiring strategies.Continue Reading

• Selling VSM software: Customer priorities

  In this slideshow, we shine a spotlight on top priorities that are shaping your customers' purchasing decisions for virtualization systems management tools.Continue Reading

• What are the challenges of managed communications services?

  Of all the managed services types that solution providers can potentially offer, managed communications has proven to be among the knottiest. Learn about the difficulties involved in delivering them and evaluating prospective partnerships.Continue Reading

• Key skill sets for capturing the booming enterprise mobility market

  IT solution providers need a fairly broad set of skills to tap into the range of enterprise mobility demands. Read up on the skill sets that channel firms are obtaining to bolster their mobility practices.Continue Reading

• The tradeoffs of partnering with managed mobility services providers

  The increasingly complicated world of enterprise mobility spells opportunity for channel partners, and partnering with a large managed mobility services provider may be the best way to overcome the high barrier of entry.Continue Reading

• IDC: Channel market to grow for server, storage, networking hardware

  The forecast for indirect sales of server, storage and enterprise networking hardware is a good one, says IDC. Analyst Paul Edwards breaks down each channel market.Continue Reading

• Delivering managed mobility services: The challenges and opportunities

  Despite all the enthusiasm surrounding managed mobility, solution providers are struggling to deliver these services. Learn what the challenges are and how to differentiate your offerings.Continue Reading

• Digital marketing companies: The new competitor in the cloud era

  Line-of-business managers are contracting for cloud services through a relatively new type of channel partner: digital marketing agencies.Continue Reading

• IT channel training, education more important than ever

  Dynamic industry changes have created a sense of urgency around training, certifications and specializations. Learn about education trends that are emerging as the channel reshapes.Continue Reading

• Cloud HR projects: Key IT services for channel partners

  Implementation is just one of the services that channel companies can wrap around a cloud HR project. The opportunities include strategy consulting, configuration, change management and the integration of HR apps with other back-office systems.Continue Reading

• Cloud distribution: The race for relevance

  If traditional distributors are to gain traction in the cloud-based IT economy, they will have to overcome competition from unexpected corners.Continue Reading

• How managed security services providers benefit from transparency

  In light of recent breaches, organizations may seek out MSSPs that hold themselves to the highest security standards.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud management software: Keeping up with the complexity

  To keep pace with their customers' increasingly complicated, hybridized environments, service providers employ a range of new and developing tools.Continue Reading

• How vendor relationship management practices empower partners

  Vendors have long dominated their partner relationships; however, through practices like vendor relationship management, solution providers are taking control.Continue Reading

• How to add value, boost margin in maturing managed services market

  Managed service providers change their business strategies to overcome commoditization and price erosion in the managed services market.Continue Reading

• Ancillary MSP tools add an edge to managed service practices

  RMM and PSA software serve as foundational tools for a managed services practice. Many MSPs choose to supplement these with network assessment tools and more.Continue Reading

• Top firewall purchasing decision factors

  Find out the type of firewall that customers are planning to purchase, the top business drivers behind their firewall projects and more.Continue Reading

• Rethink MSP business processes for greater operational efficiency

  Greater operational efficiency can help MSPs maintain margins and keep their customers happy. MSPs utilize automation and KPI tracking to improve back-end processes.Continue Reading

• Third-party, open source AWS management tools offer unique benefits

  Amazon boasts a broad range of tools for managing an EC2 instance, but partners say third-party and open source tools expand on Amazon's offerings.Continue Reading

• How customers size up public cloud computing services

  What are your customers' top concerns when choosing public cloud services? Our survey offers insight that can help shape your selling strategy.Continue Reading

• Technology advertisements that cross ethical, legal lines

  It's hard to tell fact from fiction in technology advertisements, says technology and security consultant Kevin McDonald. These irresponsible claims about a product's compliance or security capabilities can have ethical and legal consequences.Continue Reading

• Born-in-the-cloud companies trigger a new partner world order

  The new breed of born-in-the-cloud partners have some overlap with traditional partners but are square pegs in the round holes of traditional channel partner programs.Continue Reading

• Building a big data practice

  For IT solution providers, there's big money in big data. That's because data volumes are growing at staggering rates, and SMBs are discovering use cases for big data. Perhaps even better for the channel, many SMBs don't have the skills needed to ...Continue Reading

• A surge in FOIA requests brings new business to open records specialists

  Legislation and initiatives for open government have yielded greater expectations for data availability. With the FOIA market seeing new life, open records software companies are partnering up with e-discovery companies to help meet the demands.Continue Reading

• Philanthropic providers bolster nonprofit tech

  A recent trend shows cloud and managed hosting providers doing work for nonprofit organizations pro bono in an effort to engage communities and develop loyalty. Salesforce.com is credited as a major influence in these philanthropic activitiesContinue Reading

• VARs and MSPs profit from selling Office 365

  For MSPs and VARs, Office 365 presents a gateway to the cloud. Partners have found ways to make Microsoft Office 365 a highly profitable part of their business by bundling the product with additional value and leveraging a weakness in the platform.Continue Reading

• Cloud and SaaS applications can spark channel conflict

  As solution providers and vendors continue to adjust to the growth of the cloud and SaaS applications, channel conflict remains a concern.Continue Reading

• Unclear HIPAA rules permit healthcare data offshoring … for now

  Soon enough, Washington will take on the issues surrounding the offshoring of healthcare data, says technology and security consultant Kevin McDonald.Continue Reading

• White labeling cloud services pros and cons

  The decision to white label a vendor's cloud services requires careful consideration. Weigh the pros and cons to decide if it's right for your firm.Continue Reading

• 'Getting Dell'd': Partners open up about channel conflict

  Market pressures, cloud computing and the changing tech landscape may strain more partner-vendor relationships now than in the past, some believe.Continue Reading

• Hospitality technology trends show hotels rebounding and modernizing

  Bouncing back from a drop in domestic tourism, the lodging industry is investing in technology for better efficiency and modern guest amenities.Continue Reading

• Channel: Nonprofit software deemed a must-have by many charities

  Nonprofit organizations are increasingly looking to cloud-based software to improve their operations and further their causes.Continue Reading

• Born-in-the-cloud partners vs. reseller vs. hybrid

  On the final day of the Ingram Micro Cloud Summit 2014, partners are urged to transform their business and adapt to new and more educated customers.Continue Reading

• Filling the MSP sales pipeline when transitioning to recurring revenue

  Building up your sales pipeline when establishing an MSP practice requires a lot of early success with lead generation and business development.Continue Reading

• Managed services pricing models: Per-device vs. SLA-based approach

  A per-device and per-user pricing model is easy for MSPs, but experts caution it carries business risk and leads managed services to commoditization.Continue Reading

• Channel vertical: ERP software solutions for the aerospace supply chain

  Consulting and implementation opportunities are on the upswing in the aerospace supply chain. Learn how solution providers are capturing business.Continue Reading

• Recurring revenue recognition: Channel grapples with cloud accounting complexity

  Recurring revenue recognition is a sticky issue for cloud and managed services providers. Read up on the problems providers are facing.Continue Reading

• Sophos partner program revamped with higher incentives, deal registration

  Sophos is rolling out a major revamp to its partner program, with four tiers, higher incentives, deal registration, lead generation and training.Continue Reading

• Channel business: Determining tech vendor onboarding costs

  Find out about the hard and soft costs involved in adding a new tech vendor to your product portfolio.Continue Reading

• Microsoft managed partner designation: What it takes, what it's worth

  A Microsoft managed partner designation can get you a warm body within Microsoft whose job it is to help you. Get info on how partners are selected.Continue Reading

• Media and entertainment technology market opens for channel

  The media and entertainment technology market centers around storage. And while the use cases vary, they all demand more capacity.Continue Reading

• Free cloud services: How profitable is the 'freemium' model?

  Cloud providers must strike a balance between giving customers the free cloud services they expect while staying profitable.Continue Reading

• Working with your IT channel account manager

  Get partner and vendor insight on the relationship between your company and your IT vendor's channel account manager.Continue Reading

• Cloud support services business models and adoption by the IT channel

  Four basic cloud support services business models are emerging. Find out which one offers the best opportunities for the channel.Continue Reading

• Healthcare digital signage: Starting small, but growing

  The healthcare digital signage market is still relatively small, but systems are surfacing in lobbies, waiting areas, cafeterias and patient rooms.Continue Reading

• Technology in restaurants: Fast-casual sector represents growing market

  Fast-casual and fast-food restaurants need an increasingly broad array of technologies from VARs selling into this vertical.Continue Reading

• Demand for rental management software, solutions on the upswing

  Channel partners are finding increased demand for rental management software as the equipment rental market picks up steam.Continue Reading

• Solution providers flocking to Amazon partner network with AWS products, services

  VARs, systems integrators and ISVs are flocking to the Amazon partner network, citing huge opportunities among the organizations that are using AWS.Continue Reading

• Gaining access to apps market via mobile app reseller program

  Mobile apps are a fast-growing segment. Find out how to use a mobile app reseller program to resell mobile apps or to build your own apps for resale.Continue Reading

• IT distribution strategy: Distributors upping investments in enablement

  The IT distribution strategy is shifting away from products and toward enablement around services, solutions and industries.Continue Reading

• Fleet management systems opportunities for the IT channel

  Fleet management systems are being ported to the cloud and finding acceptance among a wider customer set, creating opportunities for broad-based VARs.Continue Reading

• Verticalization of cloud applications: Channel play

  Channel companies are seeing potential in the verticalization of cloud applications, in which cloud ERP, CRM services are adapted for verticals.Continue Reading

• 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

• Cloud broker services: How the role of cloud 'middleman' is evolving

  Cloud broker services have evolved into three different roles: the cloud aggregator, the cloud broker enabler and the cloud customizer.Continue Reading

• VDI project success: VMware View installation at collection agency

  A VMware View installation set the stage for VDI project success and paved the way for big business growth at debt collection agency Williams & Fudge.Continue Reading

• IBM leads among top storage vendors for midrange arrays

  IBM proved to be the top storage vendor in the Quality Awards for midrange arrays survey, outperforming a strong group of contenders.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

• Midrange storage array vendors: NetApp, Dell lead in sixth Quality Awards

  NetApp barely grazes by Dell to take the top midrange storage array vendor spot in Storage magazine’s sixth Quality Awards survey. Find out how end users ranked them and six other vendors in five key categories.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

• Primary storage deduplication's impact on backup deduplication

  Learn about the issues customers should consider when implementing primary storage deduplication alongside a backup deduplication system, such as rehydration and performance penalties.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

• VCE coalition: A one-year retrospective

  A year after the Virtual Computing Environment coalition launched, interest in the group's Vblocks is growing, but sales and staffing issues have arisen.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

• 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

• 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

• FAQ: Installing Windows 7 hardware devices and drivers

  Solutions providers need to be aware of potential roadblocks during a Windows 7 hardware installation, including being unable to find a Windows 7 driver for an older device.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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Hyper-V tools vs. VMware vSphere and Citrix XenServer tools

  Find out the how Microsoft Hyper-V tools compare to those from its market rivals, VMware's vSphere and Citrix's XenServer, and why third-party tools are important to use.Continue Reading

• Windows 7 in-place upgrade vs. replace upgrade

  Take a look at the differences between a Windows 7 in-place upgrade and replace upgrade and find out what you need to know about Windows 7 automated installations.Continue Reading

• VSphere virtual machine migration tools: vCenter converter

  Using virtual machine migration tools such as vCenter Converter will make converting customers' virtual machines to vSphere a smooth process for solutions providers.Continue Reading

• Resolving a Windows 7 crash or freeze

  This FAQ helps solutions providers give users the best assistance when Windows 7 issues arise, such as the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), crashes and random freezes.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Windows 7 errors

  Use this FAQ when troubleshooting Windows 7 to get answers to commonly asked questions on Windows 7 errors and dealing with hardware problems.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows 7 system maintenance tools

  Our expert answers commonly asked questions about maintaining Windows 7 using Remote Assistance, determining which maintenance tools are most useful and how often they should run.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows Server 2008 R2 performance monitoring

  Read through these frequently asked questions to learn about Windows Server 2008 R2 monitoring features and how to monitor system activity and create data collector sets.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Using Windows Server 2008 R2 performance reports

  Knowing how to view log data reports with the Performance and Reliability Monitor will ensure that you keep your customer's server operating system running at peak performance.Continue Reading