The VAR Guy

Novell has found a creative way to put Netbooks and SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 in the hands of IT managers and channel partners — even with Microsoft sitting in the same room. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.

Last week we examined key qualities solution providers should consider when evaluating potential software partners. The source of this information came straight from three top system integrators who focus on developing and implementing open source solutions for their customers. Now, if you’re a software vendor that is going to market through partners but derives some revenue from services , make sure you…

The Ubuntu Server revolution is starting but it doesn’t involve traditional on-premise systems. A few hours ago I mentioned Turnkey Linux was putting Ubuntu Server software appliances in the cloud. But I overlooked another major story: RightScale — a well-known cloud computing company — today announced “full support” for Ubuntu as part of the RightScale Cloud Management platform. It’s big news. Here’s why.

Ubuntu is converging quickly with cloud services. A prime example: Turnkey Linux is launching 12 Ubuntu Server Edition software appliances that users can deploy in various cloud services. The news comes only a few weeks after Canonical said Ubuntu 9.10 will leap into Amazon.com’s cloud. I’m intrigued, but I wonder if customers will join the Ubuntu cloud party.

Generally speaking, The VAR Guy is impressed with Dell and the company’s PartnerDirect channel program. But Dell’s thinly veiled shot at Lenovo’s partner program seems completely misleading to The VAR Guy. Here’s the scoop.

If you want to see the future of the IT channel, take a look at Levementum, a system integrator that is deploying a range of open source applications (from Compiere to SugarCRM) in the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Ec2). Levementum isn’t alone. Progressive solutions providers across the globe are plugging into Amazon Web Services.

Despite the recession, two areas of the IT channel — open source companies and managed services specialists — are pressing ahead with partner and customer conferences. The latest example involves Pentaho, an open source business intelligence company that plans to host a partner summit in April.

Earlier this year, madwifi.org, which had previously been home to the madwifi project, was “hijacked” (for lack of a better word), leading to much confusion for Linux users looking for wireless drivers.  This unfortunate event highlights the legal and organizational vulnerabilities of free-software projects, which need to take steps to prevent such abuses if they want to be perceived as serious and reliable.

Move over, CRM. Partner relationship management (PRM) software seems to be the rage in the IT channel. For example, Riverbed Technology, which specializes in wide area application services, is giving VARs a healthy incentive to use PRM software. And Riverbed isn’t alone. More and more technology companies are directing channel partners into their PRM systems.

The VAR Guy spends considerable time blogging about the emerging open source IT channel. But he can’t ignore Microsoft’s continued channel dominance. The software giant starting this week is hosting more than 175 partner-focused events in North America. The effort will culminate at Tech•Ed in May. Here’s the scoop.

At first glance, the forthcoming Openbravo World Conference is a small open source event with modest goals. But take a closer look, and you’ll see the open source IT channel’s continued emergence. In fact, even IBM and Oracle are joining Openbravo’s party. Here’s the scoop.

Dell’s channel blog caught The VAR Guy’s eye this morning. In it, the company announced a zero percent, one year financing option for qualified EqualLogic partners working with qualified customers in the United States. Here’s how it works.

In my mind, the core business functions required of a computer system are email access, word processor, spreadsheet and the ability to collaborate by having access to shared documents all within a secure framework to prevent any unauthorised access or malicious activity.

I recently downloaded Ubuntu 9.04 alpha 5, “Jaunty Jackalope,” to see for myself what’s in the works for the next release of Ubuntu, set to come out in stable form on April 23.  Following are some observations, with screenshots.

I’ve seen my share of  ill conceived and  ineffective partner programs and I’ve often wondered why that is the case. As discussed a few weeks ago in “The Secret to A Successful Partner Program,” one of the basic elements of any successful partnership is creating a win-win relationship. But how do you know what is most important to a partner, how they decide who is strategic and who isn’t, and what they need from software vendors to be successful?

Next week will be a busy one for Oracle and its channel partners. The VAR Guy is under gag orders on some news. But here’s how you can get some info. Judson Althoff (pictured), group VP of worldwide alliances and channels, has blogged about Oracle’s upcoming North American Partner Expo, a virtual conference scheduled for March 19. Of keen interest to The VAR Guy: Apparently, the virtual event will offer some financial tips and business guidance to Oracle partners — particularly timely content in this economy.

A new research report from AMI Partners reveals some promising trends in the business intelligence market. As BI sales heat up in certain regions, The VAR Guy wonders who will benefit most: Traditional BI software companies, open source alternatives or software as a service (SaaS) options? Here’s The VAR Guy’s best guess.

At first glance, Google Apps and Microsoft are the horses to beat in the online software suite race. But The VAR Guy remains preoccupied with a dark horse called Zoho, which just launched Writer 2.0 and continues to gain moment across multiple software as a service (SaaS) fronts.

Canonical is developing a Directory Services strategy that could help Ubuntu Server Edition compete (and integrate) more effectively with Microsoft, Windows Server and Active Directory. In addition to a relationship with Likewise Software, Canonical is seeking external experts to help accelerate some Directory Services efforts.

Pushing beyond the consumer market, Microsoft is starting to evangelize Windows 7 Enterprise to businesses. In the company’s official Windows blog, Microsoft’s Gavriella Schuster describes three key areas where Windows 7 will allegedly improve enterprise computing. The VAR Guy wonders: Will corporate IT managers — and their solutions providers — agree with Schuster’s assessment?

Cablevision has extended its public Optimum WiFi network from New York to New Jersey. Is this initiative really about free public WiFi access for Cablevision’s existing customer base? Or does the service provider have a hidden agenda? The VAR Guy stumbled onto the apparent answer — involving VoIP and perhaps even the Newsday newspaper — during a sporting event on Long Island.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer brought up some interesting points last week when he displayed data showing that Linux, according to Microsoft’s research, enjoys higher desktop market share than Apple.  This observation not only contradicts claims that Linux use remains stagnant, but has the potential to redefine the tired “Mac vs. PC” discourse that has obscured Microsoft’s real challenge–open source–for a decade.

When Red Hat announces quarterly results March 25, the news may confirm what Wall Street has suspected since November 2008: Despite Novell’s continued momentum with SUSE Linux, the smarter money remains on Red Hat’s open source strategy. Here’s why.