Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Digital marketing techniques key to partner revenue growth
Digital marketing, reinforced by marketing automation tools, places partners on the revenue growth path and paves the way for revenue marketing. Continue Reading
RMM software: Should MSPs buy baked-in security?
MSPs must carefully weigh the pros and cons before purchasing RMM software with baked-in security features. The alternative -- to buy security products separately -- also has its drawbacks. Continue Reading
Still few in numbers, women in the channel find open doors
Women continue to be underrepresented in the channel and the broader STEM workforce, but are making inroads in telecom and managed services. Continue Reading
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New types of partners spark channel alliance opportunities
Channel partner partnering is gaining momentum as solutions providers seek broader skill sets to deliver comprehensive technology offerings. Continue Reading
Dell Direct collaborates with Dell channel partner to unseat EMC
After uncovering a possible storage deal, Dell Direct decided working with a Dell channel partner would be the best route to take. Continue Reading
Datto partner network gets Office 365 backup
Datto partners can tap Office 365 backup, enterprise file sync and share, and other products launched at the company's annual partner conference.Continue Reading
Workplace collaboration partners pursue Skype for Business
Channel partners are developing services around Skype for Business, which they view as an important part of their unified communications toolkits.Continue Reading
DR as a service: an emerging SMB market for the channel
The cloud has made disaster recovery more affordable for small businesses, opening opportunities for channel partners offering DRaaSContinue Reading
Mastering the art of managed communications
Managed communications is a staple for many managed services providers, and, oddly enough, one of the more challenging services to deliver. Deciding which of the many managed communications services will best match your customers' needs is no easy ...Continue Reading
Early-stage technology companies cultivate channel plans
Tech startups featured at the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium's Innovation Showcase are developing channel marketing strategies at an early stage in their development.Continue Reading
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Build a channel or generate referrals? The MSP debate
MSPs struggling with sales may be tempted to launch a partner channel, but experts advise that referral networks may prove more effective.Continue Reading
Financial technology partners find compliance work
Channel partners in the financial services sector find opportunities in regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, managed services and cloud computing.Continue Reading
Cloud-based service revenue lags among MSPs
Cloud-based service lines generate a small portion of the typical MSP's overall revenue, with a lack of cloud expertise among the barriers to growth.Continue Reading
IT asset disposition: Time to offer end-of-life services?
IT asset disposition services let channel partner clients stay on the right side of environmental protection, regulatory compliance and IT security.Continue Reading
How AWS partner status helps cloud-savvy MSPs differentiate themselves
Cloud-focused channel partners can take advantage of a recently launched AWS program that offers business, marketing, education and training benefits.Continue Reading
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