The VAR Guy

If you’re a channel chief looking for a new opportunity, maybe it’s time to check out the open source market. The VAR Guy is hearing more and more buzz about open source companies hiring channel experts to help drive sales in 2007.

The latest example: SpikeSource, which provides open source server stacks, has named Dennis Elkins VP of business development. The SAP veteran will oversee SpikeSource’s expansion into new markets and enterprise channels–with an emphasis on master distribution deals. In similar moves, open source companies such as Red Hat, Centric CRM and Linux specialist Collax each have hired channel chiefs in recent months.

The VAR Guy certainly expects that trend to accelerate in 2007.