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The VAR GuyThe VAR GuyWhat's next in the IT channel, the VAR guy covers open source partner programs, software as a service, cloud services, unified communications and other partner trends. 
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Dell Set to Invade Silicon Valley With Managed Services
2007-09-21 16:59:00 Few people realize it, but Dell is sending a Trojan Horse into Silicon Valley next week. The big hardware company--which isn't known for innovation, software or acquisitions--will show off all three traits at a small (but strategic) conference in San Jose on September 24 and 25. More About: Hardware , Services , Invade
The VAR Guy Closes In On Bill Gates
2007-09-21 02:45:00 Forbes has published a list of the 400 richest Americans. Once again, a hacker (pictured above) who started a software company in New Mexico topped the lineup. It takes a minimum net worth of $1.3 billion to appear on the list, which means The V AR Guy only needs to scrape together about $1,299,500,000 to qualify for next year's rankings. Bill Gates ($59 billion) and Warren Buffet ($52 billion) topped this year's Fobes list. More About: Forbes
Banking on OnForce
2007-09-21 02:11:00 OnForce, the online marketplace that connects VARs with specific customer projects, has scored $6.75 million in financing from Accel Partners. The company plans to enhance its online marketplace and push into new geographies. Watch for Canada and Europe to become major focal points for OnForce. More About: Executive Suite , Banking
Open Source Meets Managed Services
2007-09-21 01:50:00 Sometimes The VAR Guy just can?t let go of a hunch. For a few weeks now, he's been asking MSP platform providers if they would ever open source their software. Most MSP companies told him they haven?t considered such a strategy. That will change next week, when Untangle launches an MSP Partner Program focused on open source network security. More About: Services , Open Source , Open , Source , Open-Source
Symantec Gets In the Game
2007-09-20 17:09:00 The VAR Guy's garage is filled with full-size arcade games like Pac Man and Asteroids. His attic is cluttered with the original Atari, Intellivision, Colecovision and other home gaming classics. But now, he's turning his attention to an online game from Symantec -- yes, Symantec. If you're an old fan of Doom or hip to Halo, Symantec may have an online game just for you. Here's the scoop. More About: Security , Worms , Game , The Game
Houston VAR Prescribes D-Link Network
2007-09-18 08:08:00 It has been about nine months since The VAR Guy checked in with D-Link . Back in January, Keith Karlsen, executive VP of North America channel operations, expressed bullish optimism about the New Year. But has D-Link managed to maintain its momentum amid fierce competition from Netgear, Linksys and other network hardware providers? More About: Hardware , Cisco Systems , Network
Losing An Open Source Friend
2007-09-18 07:49:00 The VAR Guy had mixed emotions today when he heard Yahoo acquired Zimbra, a provider of open source email and collaboration software. Over the past year, Zimbra has been on The VAR Guy's radar multiple times. Some service providers and universities have aggressively embraced Zimbra as a reliable, cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Exchange in recent years. More About: Open Source , Open , Source , Friend
CA Rolls Out New Mid-market Partner Program
2007-09-18 07:42:00 Perhaps CA Inc. really has changed its stripes. The former Computer Associates International has executed its business strategy in 2007 with little or no controversy. And now, CA is launching a new Partner Enablement Program for mid-market solutions providers. More About: Applications , Market , Gram
Kaseya Launches 24×7 Managed Services Program
2007-09-17 17:21:00 In early August, TechIQ hinted that Kaseya was prepping a new initiative to help VARs offer 24x7 managed services. (See item 9 on this list.) That prediction came true today as part of Kaseya's new emPower Program . More About: Services , Gram
AMD?s Final Email to Editors
2007-09-17 17:05:00 Apparently, AMD's PR team has a good feel for Web 2 .0 technologies. Instead of using email to blast press releases to journalists and bloggers, the chip maker is asking media members to subscribe to AMD's Twitter feed. The VAR Guys sees pros and cons with the move. More About: Hardware , Email , Public Relations , Executive Suite
Cisco VAR Touts Its Talent
2007-09-17 16:52:00 Here's an interesting debate: Assume your company employs one of the sharpest Cisco gurus in the region. Would you keep this pro's credentials a secret -- so that rivals don't try to steal him -- or would you promote the guru's expertise in a bid to win more business? More About: Executive Suite , Talent , Lent
Dell?s Desktop Linux Strategy: Slow and Steady
2007-09-17 16:24:00 So far, so good. That statement sums up Dell's current desktop Linux strategy, which focuses heavily on the Ubuntu operating system from Canonical. Dell insiders tell The VAR Guy that reaction to the company's Ubuntu PCs, introduced in June, has been good. Even so, Dell representatives are careful not to hype the machines. Here's why. More About: Hardware , Applications , Open Source , Desktop
Cisco VoIP Meets Asterisk Open Source
2007-09-13 20:41:00 The VAR Guy has spent considerable time wondering if -- or when -- Cisco was going to meld its VoIP platforms with Asterisk, the open source IP telephony platform. Turns out small integrators and consulting firms are already doing that heavy lifting. One prime example: NeoPhonetics has launched an Asterisk-based unified messaging platform that works with PBX and IP platforms from Avaya, Cisco, NEC and Nortel. More About: Applications , Open Source , Open , Cisco Systems , Source
Cisco: 8 Trends Worth Watching
2007-09-13 06:03:00 The VAR Guy spent September 12 in Dublin, Ireland, locked away with Cisco Systems at the Guinness Brewery. And yes, he actually got some work done. Here are eight key takeaways from the event. More About: Wireless , Events , Applications , Open Source
Cisco Launches Software Partner Network; Takes Aim At Microsoft
2007-09-13 06:01:00 Cisco is launching an Industry Solutions Partner Network (ISPN), but don't believe everything you read about the social network. For the next few weeks, many editors will likely compare ISPN to rival online systems that allow VARs to work with VARs. In reality, ISPN has a far more strategic mission. Hint: It involves Microsoft . More About: Software , Cisco Systems
Moonwalk Leaps Into U.S. Channel
2007-09-13 05:28:00 The VAR Guy loved Michael Jackon's old Moonwalk . The red leather jacket. The white glove. The dance move no mortal could emulate. Ah, forgive the flashback to the 1980s. The VAR Guy couldn't resist bringing up the King of Pop when he heard about Moonwalk Inc., an Australian software developer that's bolstering its U.S. channel presence. More About: Michael Jackson , Storage , Channel , Chan
Cisco Partners Target Georgia Municipalities
2007-09-13 05:18:00 Imagine my surprise: I went to Dublin , Ireland this week to attend a Cisco Systems partner conference. I expected to blog non-stop about channel-related news. And then I ran into an integrator and an application provider that are partnering to build municipal broadband applications in Georgia . It was the perfect story for our sister site, Muni Wireless . Here's the scoop.
Symantec Launches SMB Specialization for Partners; Enhances Partner Program
2007-09-13 04:29:00 Symantec sees big opportunities for solutions providers in the small and midsize business market. The company has launched an SMB Specialization for Partner s, which is designed for Channel Registered and Channel Silver partners in North America. It was one of several closely related announcements Symantec made at company's partner summit near San Diego. More About: Security , Symantec , Partners , Program
Cisco Assisting Partners with HR Efforts
2007-09-12 16:33:00 Cisco Systems is continuing its talent initiative to help VARs attract and develop talent, according to Celia Harper-Guerra, senior director for worldwide channels at Cisco. Here's some background. More About: Events , Employees , Training , Cisco Systems , Dublin
What?s On Tap From Cisco?
2007-09-12 15:22:00 Editors from across the globe are meeting with Cisco 's channel team today in Dublin , Ireland. But after five hours of PowerPoint, the energy in the room was fading. Cisco's solution? Head upstairs to The Guinness Brewery. More About: Events , Cisco Systems
Cisco: Managed Service Program Coming In October
2007-09-12 12:08:00 Cisco Systems plans to roll out a worldwide managed services program in October, according to Keith Goodwin, the company's worldwide channel chief. Goodwin made the statement during a press briefing in Dublin, Ireland, today. More About: Service , Cisco Systems , Cisco , Program , Connect
Cisco Seeks 5,000 SMB Partners
2007-09-12 11:34:00 How do you invest in multiple areas and grow profitably? That was the key question raised by Cisco Channel Chief Keith Goodwin during a session with press today in Dublin , Ireland. More About: Cisco Systems , Partners
Where Cisco?s Heading Next
2007-09-12 11:20:00 So, Cisco is interested in Social Networks ... as well as virtual conversations. The company will make at least one announcement in those areas later today. In the meantime, check out the Virtual Trade Show video clip in this New York Times article. It gives you a hint where Cisco is heading next. More About: Cisco Systems , Dublin , Heading
Cisco Finally Open to Open Source; Mulls Deeper Microsoft Relationship
2007-09-12 11:01:00 The VAR Guy is shocked and impressed. During several meetings with Cisco over the past year, the company made little -- if any -- mention of open source. But the company is finally waking up to the open source community, or at least the software community. More About: Microsoft , Open Source , Relationship , Open , Cisco Systems
Cisco Tracking 50 Key Trends
2007-09-12 10:54:00 During an ongoing press meeting in Dublin , Ireland, Edison Peres, VP for advanced and core technologies at Cisco Systems , said the company is tracking 50 key trends that may empower solutions providers. More About: Trends , Facebook
Cisco Set to Announce Industy Solutions Partner Network
2007-09-12 10:42:00 During a chat with press here in Dublin, Ireland, Cisco 's Edison Peres indicated that the company would announce the Cisco Industry Solutions Partner Network later today. Sounds a bit like a social network where Cisco partners will be able to work with one another. Still, that's only a guess from The VAR Guy. Stay tuned for more details later today. More About: Cisco Systems , Monster
Symantec?s Thompson: ?Our Job is to Out-Innovate Microsoft?
2007-09-12 01:29:00 In a private conversation with a small group of journalists at the Partner Engage conference here at the Del Coronado Hotel near San Diego, Symantec CEO John Thom pson responded to a range of questions about the company?s services plans and competition. He talked extensively about the former, but dodged questions about the latter ? with one exception. More About: Events , Microsoft
The VAR Guy: Live From Dublin? And San Diego
2007-09-11 19:38:00 The VAR Guy just watched the big opening event at Symantec's partner conference in San Diego , Calif. Impressive. Now it's time to catch a cab to the Guinness brewery in Dublin , Ireland, for a Cisco partner reception. Hmmm. Blogging live from two continents on the same day? Sounds like The VAR Guy has already sipped a few too many pints of Guinness. Updates to follow. More About: Events , Cisco Systems , Live
September to Remember for Asterisk
2007-09-11 19:17:00 Sure, true fanatics are familiar with Asterisk -- the open source IP telephony platform. But there are some clear signs that Asterisk is pushing beyond the open source crowd and gaining momentum within small and midsize businesses. Here are several announcements and events The VAR Guy is tracking. He thinks it's time for solutions providers to jump in. More About: Hardware , Applications , Open Source , Red Hat , Switch
Connecting the Dots: Symantec Partner Engage Kickoff
More articles from this author:2007-09-11 18:55:00 Over 300 Symantec partners filed into the Grand Ballroom of the Del Coronado Hotel near San Diego, to the sound of ?California Dreaming? piped over the sound system. (The VAR Guy would only date himself if he said he remembered when the song was first released. At least he outlived most of that band.) Nice start to the big Symantec partner event. Now let's get down to the details. More About: Security , Partner , Dots , The D 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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