The VAR Guy

If you’re striving to better understand hosted security solutions — recurring revenue models, sales strategies and technology considerations — then join me on July 15. That’s when we’ll host The VAR Guy: Live webcast. Here’s some quick information about the webcast.

The Ubuntu Technical Board recently sanctioned continued use of Mono, the legally ambiguous open-source implementation of Microsoft’s C# programming language, as a component of the default software stack on Ubuntu releases.  At the risk of complicating Ubuntu’s strategy for the corporate market, this move positions the operating system to take a tough stance against patent trolls, which should serve as an example for weaker-kneed Linux distributions.  Here’s why.

Hey Monty, who made key channel partner program deals for the week ending July 3? Here’s a look at new alliances, reseller agreements and partner program initiatives, as tracked by The VAR Guy.

The worst of times have turned into the best of times for software as a service (SaaS) stocks. After a horrid performance in 2008, SaaS stocks rallied nearly 30 percent during the first half of 2009, according to Nine Lives Media Inc.’s SaaS 20 Stock Index. Here’s a look at the SaaS leaders to date…

At first glance, Canonical is an operating system company — built around Ubuntu Linux. But take a closer look at Canonical’s moves during the first half of 2009, and you’ll find the company has increasingly bet its revenue stream on cloud, online and consulting/support services. Here’s some perspective.

Before you flame The VAR Guy, please keep in mind that he runs Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. But during some recent trips to retail stores across North America, he spotted five clear examples why Windows will continue to dominate Linux on Netbooks. Here’s the scoop…

NetSuite Channel Chief Craig West has two messages for aspiring SaaS (Software as a Service) partners. First, NetSuite’s SaaS partners are earning 30 to 50 percent recurring revenue margins. Second, NetSuite is planning a partner summit. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.

The old Computer Associates International Inc. is long dead. Long live CA Inc., which continues to evolve its channel, SaaS and management strategy. To wit, Toni Clayton-Hine — the co-founder of Everything Channel’s IPED (Institute for Partner Education) — has joined CA as VP of worldwide marketing. Clayton-Hine’s move to CA has generated considerable buzz across the channel in recent days. Here’s why.

Officially, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 is expected to ship sometime in the second half of 2009. In the meantime, VARs and managed service providers can potentially beta test Hosted Exchange 2010 ahead of Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference 2009. Here’s how.

When Marriott International announced plans to embrace AT&T/Cisco TelePresence in hotels worldwide, The VAR Guy couldn’t help but wonder: Did an older Marriott relationship — involving HP Halo telepresence — get unplugged?

Canonical has launched Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud Services, an effort to help customers build and support private clouds. The announcement, leveraging Ubuntu Server Edition, caught The VAR Guy’s attention for two key reasons.

Canonical has launched Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud Services, an effort to help customers build and support private clouds. The announcement, leveraging Ubuntu Server Edition, caught The VAR Guy’s attention for two key reasons.

Somehow in the last few years the term “Reseller” has become an insult.  It’s not enough anymore to just sell a product, now to be a true Value Added Reseller (VAR) partners must provide services.  None of this is news but many partners are promoting themselves as a VAR when they may still be just a, dare I say it, Reseller.

Enterprise Resource Planning. To most customers, those three words mean “complexity.” But there are signs ERP deployments are finally starting to benefit from the SaaS (software as a service) craze. Just this week, we’ve spotted major SaaS developments involving NetSuite, Oracle and SAP. But can smaller MSPs and VARs really participate in SaaS-driven ERP?

CNet’s Matt Asay beat The VAR Guy to the punch — writing a blog about potential Oracle-Ubuntu Linux synergies. Still, the potential Oracle-Ubuntu partnership gets a little sexier when you throw OpenOffice into the mix. Not even Jack, Janet and Chrissy looked this good together in their prime. Here’s why.