The VAR Guy

Microsoft’s Windows 7 team — and the IT channel — should take a close look at the Windows Server team’s open source strategy, which continues to impress The VAR Guy. The latest move: Microsoft has made SugarCRM (a popular open source CRM platform) available for free download from the Windows Web App Gallery Site. Here’s the scoop.

The VAR Guy is implementing several site enhancements. The good news: Our resident blogger doesn’t expect any site downtime, and the enhancements are pretty nifty — including the ability to view TheVARguy.com’s content much more easily on iPhones. The bad news: Our quality control team is looking in dark corners to step on any remaining software bugs. The VAR Guy does expect a few bugs to pop up here and there. But don’t be scared. Our resident blogger will kill them. In the meantime, thanks for visiting.

When Symantec announced weak quarterly results on July 29, The VAR Guy wondered if the company would take steps to simplify its product messaging. The answer is a firm yes. Francis deSouza, senior VP of Symantec’s Enterprise Security Group, met The VAR Guy on July 30 to describe the evolving threat landscape and some simplified messaging from Symantec. Here’s the scoop.

Further proof that the managed security services market remains red-hot: McAfee has acquired MX Logic for approximately $140 million in cash at closing, with an earn-out of up to an additional $30 million in cash if certain performance targets are met, according to a McAfee press release. But is this a good deal for VARs and managed service providers that are loyal to MX Logic?

When The VAR Guy arrives at CompTIA Breakaway (Aug. 3-6, Las Vegas), a major gathering of VARs and solutions providers, our resident blogger plans to meet with key representatives from Red Hat and Synnex — co-founders of the Open Source Channel Alliance. Here’s what The VAR Guy has in mind for the discussion.

When I first used Vista I was, well, beyond frustrated.  Not being a technical person myself the only person more frustrated then me was my IT guy.  “Steve, it’s doing the thing again!” “Steve I lost the file I was just working on!” “Steve why can’t I find anything?”  You get the idea. The big question: Will VARs give Microsoft and Windows 7 a fresh look on August 16? Here’s the scoop.

As Microsoft gears up to launch Windows 7, Canonical and IBM have a message for channel partners and CIOs (chief information officers): Virtualized Ubuntu desktops, running on centralized Linux servers, provide lower TCO (total cost of ownership) and lower acquisition costs vs. traditional Windows desktops. Here’s the scoop.

Avaya plans to host a partner conference October 13-15 in Nashville, Tenn. If the timing works out, The VAR Guy wonders: Will former Nortel Networks Enterprise employees and partners converge on the event? Here’s the scoop.

In recent weeks, Dell.com’s U.S. website has not offered Ubuntu Linux desktop PCs. But that situation could change the week of August 2. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.

Sure, Apple’s iPhone has gained critical mass in many corporations. But a disconnect between Google Voice and Apple’s App Store highlights how Apple artificially limits iPhone opportunities for managed service providers and VARs. Frankly, The VAR Guy is mulling a move to a Google Android smart phone. Here’s why.

The VAR Guy plans to chat with Stephen Cho, director of Google Apps Channels, during the CompTIA Breakaway conference (Aug. 3-6, Las Vegas). Or resident blogger plans to raise the following three questions about Google’s SaaS (software as a service) strategy for VARs and managed service providers.

Our sister site, MSPmentor, will host its next webcast on Aug. 19 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. During the discussion, we’ll cover six ways for MSPs (managed service providers) and VARs  find and win new business. The format will be interactive. We’ll spend roughly 10 minutes on each business and sales tip.

Apparently, Novell is breaking with tradition in all the right ways. For years the software company has struggled to truly shine in the ISV (independent software vendor) market. But a new initiative — dubbed the SUSE Appliance Program — could help ISVs and resellers to more rapidly deploy SUSE Linux applications on premise or virtualized in the cloud. Here’s the scoop.

Novell and Tech Data have inked a partnership to promote SUSE Linux and open source application appliances to VARs and channel partners. In some (but not all) ways, the partnership counters recent work by Red Hat and Synnex (co-founders of the Open Source Channel Alliance). Here’s the scoop.

Intronis Technologies Board Member George Roberts, a venture partner at OpenView Venture Partners, describes recurring revenue opportunities for VARs and managed service providers seeking online backup and recovery solutions.

 

 Podcast: Intronis Online Backup and Recovery for VARs and MSPs [8:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Canonical has organized its Ubuntu partner program into three segments — business partners, technology partners and training partners. But to spot the next generation of potential Ubuntu channel partners you need to check out two areas: Cloud computing and the so-called Ubuntu Marketplace. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.

Through two key partnerships, Digium is hoping to promote local language Asterisk phone systems to hotels and other vertical markets across the globe. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.

As you likely know, Microsoft plans to open retails stores sometime in the fall (U.S. seasons). But a 140-page slide presentation — featuring a sneak peek at the stores — has been leaked onto Gizmodo.com. Hmmm. Here are some of early perspectives.

Hey Monty, who made key channel partner program deals for the week ending July 24, 2009? Here’s a look at new alliances, reseller agreements and partner program initiatives, as tracked by The VAR Guy.

The VAR Guy is showing his age with the headline. But it’s the first thing that came to mind as Cisco Systems Inc. launches a TelePresence marketing blitz that includes a contest called “Why I Want My TelePresence.” The Cisco TelePresence marketing push comes at a critical time. Here’s why.

The VAR Guy’s son — call him a reseller’s apprentice — spent the day trying to purchase an Apple iPod Touch (er, the iTouch). But this seems to be turning into quite the endless road trip.

Sure, Microsoft and Intel remain extremely close partners. And both companies remain industry giants. But if you examine the latest financial results from Microsoft and Intel, you’ll see first-hand proof that the old Wintel pals are no longer joined at the hip — at least not when it comes to sales and financial results. Here’s the scoop.

And you thought The VAR Guy was dangerous with a keyboard. Now, he’s armed with a video camera. Is he the next Steven Spielberg? Hardly. But here’s a preview of things to come… The VAR Guy’s new FastChat video center is open, and plenty of new video content will flow into the site during CompTIA Breakaway 2009 (Aug. 3-6, Las Vegas). What happens in Vegas… gets broadcast on TheVARguy.com.