It has been roughly a month since Tech Data launched Open Tech — an open source channel partner initiative. Why is the big distributor interested in the open source market? And how is Open Tech performing so far? I caught up with Tech Data VP Stacy Nethercoat for answers.
During a podcast conversation (see link below), Nethercoat conceded that some portions of the open source IT channel are still under development. But she pointed to mature relationships with Novell and Red Hat, and emerging opportunities involving open source ISVs (independent software vendors).
Nethercoat declined to compare and contrast Open Tech to the Open Source Channel Alliance, a partner initiative initially launched by Synnex and Red Hat. However, Nethercoat described why she thinks Open Tech is a unique market initiative.
Podcast Pacing
The podcast conversation covered…
0:00: Introduction
0:30: Tech Data Open Tech — what exactly is it?
0:53: Tech Data’s longstanding relationships with Novell and Red Hat
1:26: How does Open Tech potentially benefit Tech Data’s channel partners?
2:15: How can partners begin to engage with Open Tech?
2:40: Is the Open Tech program open to solutions providers that haven’t worked with Tech Data?
3:11: Are there enough VARs who are familiar with Open Source ERP, CRM and similar options?
4:10: How does Tech Data Open Tech compare to the Open Source Channel Alliance?
4:40: Will Open Tech include face to face and online communities?
5:13: Contact info for Tech Data Open Tech
5:30: Wrap Up
Beyond Linux
No doubt, many VARs have already mastered basic Linux and virtualization opportunities. But from what I’m hearing, it sounds like the real market need involves solutions providers who are willing to embrace open source ERP, CRM, groupware and the like.
Read More About This Topic
Share This Post
Tags: Novell | Open Source Channel Alliance | Red Hat | Synnex | Tech Data Open Tech | Tech Data Stacy Nethercoat
Interact: Add a Comment | Trackback Link | Permalink
Subscribe: RSS Feed
I get an internal error when trying to download the podcast. Can you check the link?
Geoff: We see the error on our end as well and we’re checking with our service provider. I apologize for the problem. As soon as the error is corrected I will post another comment here. And if you need to reach me directly I’m at joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc.com
Joe Panettieri
Editorial Director
TheVARguy.com
Also of note on the Tech Data front, Tech Data Belgium will enter the Software as a Service (SaaS) market by offering the complete set of SMB services based on Parallels Automation software. Read more at http://www.parallels.com/news/id,21398.
Joshua: The VAR Guy was not aware of the Tech Data-Parallels relationship. He is now. And he’ll be sure to follow up…
I cannot download the link, Am I missing something?
Dan
Hi Dan: I apologize for the problem. We’re switching service providers to fix the link. As soon as our migration is done I will post another comment.
Joe Panettieri
Editorial Director
TheVARguy.com
Readers: The Podcasts are all fixed. Thanks again for listening.
-jp