Microsoft unveiled the latest chapter in its cloud strategy today, as Channel Chief Allison Watson outlined potential cloud opportunities for VARs and MSPs. Watson held a webcast for channel partners earlier today. And she sat down for a FastChat video with The VAR Guy to answer additional cloud-centric channel questions. In the FastChat videos, Watson discusses opportunities involving Windows Azure and BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite), competition with Google, first cloud steps for VARs, and the SaaS pricing questions that sometimes pop up within Microsoft’s channel ecosystem. Here are the videos.
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Microsoft Takes Cloud Message to Channel Partners
Posted March 10th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Write: Feb. 12
Posted February 12th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor 100 consumed most of our team’s efforts this week. There were numerous MSP-oriented blog entries we would have written — if only there were more hours in the day. Here are seven managed services blog posts we didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Feb. 12, 2010.
Zenith Infotech: Moving Into Telepresence?
Posted January 13th, 2010 by The VAR Guy
Hmmm… The VAR Guy has noticed an apparent link between Zenith Infotech and a telepresence upstart called Vu Technologies. Is Zenith Infotech getting into the next-generation video conferencing market? Too soon to say. But here’s some chatter involving Zenith Infotech, Vu Technologies and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Kaspersky Lab Planning Managed Security Services Strategy
Posted January 5th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Kaspersky Lab, the fast-growing anti-virus software provider, is planning a managed services partner strategy that will likely surface within 30 to 60 days, according to Senior VP of Corporate Sales Nancy Reynolds. Kaspersky’s move is part of a larger trend: Multiple anti-virus companies — McAfee, Panda Security, Sophos, Symantec and Trend Micro — are polishing their managed services strategies. Here’s a sampling of where we’re heading.
Last Call: Today’s Webcast — Recurring Revenue From Small Business Server
Posted December 16th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
A final reminder: Join MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby today on The VAR Guy webcast. The topic: How to generate recurring security revenue from Small Business Server customers. Here’s a bit more about the webcast…
Top Nine Channel Stories From The VAR Guy: April 10, 2009
Posted April 10th, 2009 by The VAR Guy
MSPmentor’s sister site — The VAR Guy — reveals what’s next in the IT channel. Here’s a look at the top nine headlines on The VAR Guy’s blog this week.
- Canonical vs. Microsoft: Netbook Cat Flight
- PlumChoice: Remote Tech Services for MSPs
- The Open Source Channel Nears Tipping Point
- Amazon’s Cloud Plus Open Source: One VAR’s Model
- Which Windows Server Is Best for Your Small Business
- Windows Server Foundation: Big Opportunity for Small Biz VARs?
- Channel Marketing: Viral Video Generates DroboPro Storage Buzz
- Novell SUSE Linux, PlateSpin: So Happy Together
- Sorry, this is a top nine list. Get to know The VAR Guy and you’ll realize he doesn’t play by the rules.
MSPmentor is updated multiple times daily. Don’t miss a single post. Subscribe to our Enewsletter, RSS and Twitter feeds.
Top 50 Open Source Channel Partner Programs
Posted January 16th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
For those of you investigating open source solutions, check out The VAR Guy’s Open Source 50 report on our sister site. The free report identifies the top 50 open source companies building channel partner programs. Fingers crossed, we think it’s the first report of its kind. And yes, The Open Source 50 is based on real data and real research — just like the MSPmentor 100. Here are some of the highlights.
Top Nine Stories From The VAR Guy: 12/5/08
Posted December 5th, 2008 by MSPMentor
MSPmentor’s sister site — The VAR Guy — reveals what’s next in the IT channel. Here’s a look at the top nine headlines on The VAR Guy’s blog this week.
- IBM Attacks Microsoft Windows, Office With New Weapon
- Novell’s Financial Results: A Look At SUSE Linux Sales
- Two Words I Despise: Trusted Advisor
- Rise of the Open Source Channel Chief
- How I Learned to Stop Worrying And Love the Recession
- Dell’s $299 Linux Netbook PCs
- Cisco Offers $100,000 Bounty to Linux Partners
- HP’s New Headache
- Wyse Gets Fat On Thin Clients
- Sorry, this is a top nine list. Get to know The VAR Guy and you’ll realize he doesn’t play by the rules.
MSPmentor is updated multiple times daily. Don’t miss a single post. Subscribe to our Enewsletter, RSS and Twitter feeds.
Networking VAR Offers Different Spin On Managed Services
Posted October 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Network Virtual Support, a solutions provider near Seattle, Wash., isn’t getting bogged down in technology jargon. Since most small businesses have never heard the term “managed services,” Network Virtual Support instead pitches “computer maintenance plans” to its customers.
Send Your Questions for Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis
Posted August 25th, 2008 by MSPMentor
MSPmentor and its sister site, The VAR Guy, are scheduled to record a podcast August 26 with Greg Davis, vice president and general manager of Dell Inc.’s Americas Channel Group. Davis leads Dell’s PartnerDirect channel initiative. If you have questions or comments for Davis, please send them to our editorial director, Joe Panettieri (joe [at] ninelivesmediainc.com).
Five Business Priorities for Holiday Weeks
Posted March 24th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Lots of schools are closed this week in the United States. Email and voice mail traffic seems a little bit lighter. It’s the perfect week to come into the office a little late and leave a little early.
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