The VAR Guy

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.