The VAR Guy

Much of the Linux community is waiting to for Dell to introduce PCs with Ubuntu pre-loaded in North America. But if you can’t wait for Dell to deliver the goods, there are alternatives.

Take the world’s fastest-growing version of Linux and match it with the world’s fastest-growing open source email platform… What do you get? How about a promising partnership between Ubuntu and Zimbra?

Microsoft continues to generate record profits. But the mood about Windows Vista remains mixed at best, especially among hardware and software partners. The VAR Guy was surprised to read a surprisingly honest assessment of the situation from Hauppauge Digital Inc., maker of WinTV technology.

It’s official. I plan to purchase a Dell PC with Ubuntu Linux as soon as possible. My only challenge: Dell has yet to actually unveil the PCs. The company’s Web site now includes a teaser for Ubuntu-based PCs.

If you listen closely to Mark Enzweiler, Red Hat’s channel VP for North America, he’ll tell you quite a lot by saying just a little. Enzweiler in March assured The VAR Guy that Red Hat would leap from its dominant Linux server position and land on mainframes and desktops. Those words rang true this week during Red Hat’s customer conference in San Diego.

Finally, SAS Institute is making some noise again. After launching a channel initiative last year, the business intelligence company had gone quiet for most of this year. Then The VAR Guy started hearing some rumblings about SAS a few weeks ago. Turns out SAS had been intensifying its partner efforts in the government market.

The VAR Guy was on the mark again: As he expected, Red Hat today launched an online store featuring 14 open source software providers. In theory, the Red Hat Exchange could allow the company to become a central online market place for open source applications. The first software companies to support the online store include…

What’s next in managed services? The VAR Guy thinks he has found the answer: New tools that tie together multiple third-party MSP platforms. The net result could be a single “business intelligence” window that allows VARs to remotely monitor storage, security, bandwidth and other issues from a single PC. But achieving this nirvana won’t be easy.

Brace yourself for a shameless plug: The VAR Guy spent most of today prepping for MuniWireless 2007: New England, a conference focused on best practices for public broadband deployments. Several sessions at the June event will feature VARs and integrators. And for good reason: Solutions providers like Scientel Wireless and Outsource Inc. are building out broadband networks for scores of cities and counties across North America.

Rupert Murdock’s bid for The Wall Street Journal hasn’t been accepted (at least not yet…), but The Journal is already peddling in sensationalism. Skeptical? A Journal blogger speculates that Cisco might want to buy Yahoo. It sounds far-fetched, but…

If you’re planning to load up on Dell’s new Ubuntu Linux systems for a corporate department or small business, Dell may have a surprise for you. As the old saying goes, read the fine print.

When Red Hat kicks off its annual customer conference May 8 in San Diego, The VAR Guy will be watching closely. The company faces at least seven key challenges–and opportunities–as it tries to remain the open source industry’s most successful company. Here’s the rundown.

The VAR Guy loves unique perspectives and strong opinions. He got plenty of both May 3 during an insightful conversation with SugarCRM CEO John Roberts. Among the revelations: Roberts believes 90 percent of traditional software companies don’t have a long-term future. And while he greatly respects Red Hat, Roberts believes Oracle Linux is not to be underestimated.

Dozens of VARs call SugarCRM each week, seeking to join the company’s partner program. The open source company welcomes the interest and continues to sign up new partners. But to generate the biggest profits, you’ll want to be one of SugarCRM’s elite 20 partners, The VAR Guy hears.

The VAR Guy hears Red Hat will provide an update about its online software store next week during the company’s customer summit in San Diego. In theory, the move could allow Red Hat to become the Amazon.com of online software sales.

The VAR Guy attended CompTIA’s Managed Services Summit this week near San Diego. During the event, VARs like TeamLogicIT President Chuck Lennon provided a reality check for solutions providers making the move to managed services. Here’s a recap.

The VAR Guy stopped by SugarCRM’s first user conference today in San Jose and received a sweet surprise. Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz made a surprise appearance at the event. He had some rather intriguing views to share.

Dell has finally made it official and plans to pre-install Ubuntu Linux on some desktops and notebooks. Red Hat was left out of the party–but the company still has some reason to celebrate. What can you expect from Dell’s Linux desktops? Here’s a sampling of thoughts from The VAR Guy.