The VAR Guy

Say hello to the ThinkStation E20. It’s  not just another desktop from Lenovo, it’s actually a complete workstation solution, under $600 bucks, and it’s environmentally friendly, to boot. If that sounds like it’ll be a paltry granola burning machine, you’d be wrong. Lenovo is positioning this thing to do some serious content creation. Are you interested?

In separate moves, Canonical and Novell are taking steps to bolster their respective Linux training and certification efforts. Here’s a look at the moves, and the implications for channel partners.

The third-annual MSPmentor 100 list and report — produced by The VAR Guy’s sister site — will debut February 10. Check our MSPmentor 100 center for details about the world’s top 100 managed services providers. Or join our special webcast at 2:00 p.m. eastern on February 10. The MSPmentor 100 is a global survey, and we’ll be putting an extra-bright spotlight on international markets such as Europe and Australia this year.

Canonical is making multiple moves to engage and energize Ubuntu software developers. The latest example involves Ubuntu Opportunistic Developer Week, scheduled for March 1 to 6, 2010. Here are some quick details plus the implications for Ubuntu in business.

These days–in contrast to ten years ago–the world has plenty more Web browsers than it needs. And yet I can’t find one I’m happy with. My continuing search for a browser I get along with led me recently to try Opera, a seasoned but still largely obscure player on the browser scene. Here’s what I thought of it.

Software piracy is a costly problem for independent software vendors (ISVs) and their channel partners. Short of a bout of conscience or an outside network audit, there’s very little chance of that lost revenue getting recovered. V.i. Labs thinks it has a solution, aptly named CodeArmor. Here are the details.

If you’re looking to profit from supply chain management, Intermec wants your attention. They’re focused on data collection systems, bar codes and RFID chips, just to name a few. But now, Intermec is looking to get a little deeper into the channel by launching PartnerNet. It’s aimed to be an improvement for existing partners and an invitation for new ones. Here’s the scoop

Avnet Technology Solutions and Riverbed are getting together to give VARs more training, tools and networking know-how than you can shake a stick at. Here’s some perspective on the moves and why you might be inclined to take a look.

I had the chance to talk with Websense’s recently appointed channel chief Matt Hynes, who’s taking the position amid fierce competition in the security market. Here’s what Hynes had to say about himself, the channel, and the timing of his appointment.

Red Hat leads the Linux-driven server market — mostly because of Red Hat’s ability to work closely with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). But two recent moves by Canonical and Novell, respectively, show promise on the Ubuntu and SUSE Linux ISV fronts. Here are the details.

Dell’s Ubuntu strategy once again faces Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD). Multiple times in the past 12 months or so, Dell’s strong Ubuntu efforts have been undermined by disappearing desktop offerings. Here’s what’s wrong — and right — with Dell’s Ubuntu initiatives.

Traditionally, configuring Ubuntu servers to integrate with Microsoft Active Directory was not a lot of fun.  It wasn’t exactly difficult, but it involved editing lots of PAM and Kerberos configuration files, and often some perilous trial-and-error.  But these days, there’s a better way–for many situations, at least–and it’s called Likewise.  Here’s how it works, and why I think it’s so great.

More than 2,600 partners will converge at this week’s VMware Partner Exchange conference in Las Vegas. Big channel names such as Arrow ECS and Ingram Micro will lend their names to the event. Multiple cloud and virtualization storylines will emerge. But The VAR Guy is zeroing in on one thread: VMware’s strategy for Zimbra, the recently acquired open source email platform.

Forgive The VAR Guy if he sounds a bit confused, but our resident blogger has been scratching his head recently while reading channel coverage involving Oracle and SAP — especially amid a surprise CEO change at SAP. Here’s some perspective.

The VAR Guy is keeping a close eye on Vartopia, some sort of multi-vendor deal registration web site. Vartopia’s founders appear set to disclose their plans sometime today at VMware Partner Exchange, a massive partner conference this week in Las Vegas. Here are the early details.

Cisco Systems recently disclosed plans to End of Life (EOL) and End of Service (EOS) over $9 billion worth of Cisco gear. That move actually creates new support opportunities for VARs and solutions providers. Here’s why.

Bell Microproducts has teamed with Force10 Networks to create a more robust ”portfolio of networking products.” Bell Microproducts, the value-added distributor, has mainly focused on storage and computing tech, while Force10 Networks has traditionally been involved with data center solutions and the enterprise marketplace. Here’s why you might want to pay attention.

The VAR Guy is losing sleep, gaining weight, aging fast and always running out of time. But that’s okay… because site traffic continues to surge. Still, our resident blogger wishes he had more hours in the day to write even more blogs. In fact, here are six channel partner blog entries The VAR Guy didn’t have time to write for the week ending February 5, 2010.

7. Open Channel: Pentaho, the open source BI specialist, says its OEM partner program grew 146 percent in the second half of 2009. CEO Richard Daley recently told The VAR Guy he expects Pentaho to double bookings in 2010.

6. What Conflict?: When McAfee announced Security Quickstart Services for small and midsize customers, the company was smart to quote a channel partner in the press release. However, some observers think Quickstart is primarily a direct sales push into the SMB market. The Quickstart website sure looks like a direct sales pitch. The VAR Guy still needs to give McAfee equal time on the matter.

5. Why So Quiet?: The VAR Guy noted earlier this week that Unison Communications — a fledgling unified communications company — has been pretty darn quiet in recent months. One potential reason: Former CTO Igor Balk apparently moved on to a startup called PMP HQ.

4. The Bad and the Good: Investors weren’t impressed with NetSuite‘s latest SaaS revenues. Perhaps SaaS and cloud aren’t living up to the hype? But NetSuite is quick to point to continued wins involving SAP customer defections.

3. Join the Party: XO Communications is now a supplier member to 1nService, an international community of advanced technology integrators. Also of note: An emerging relationship between 1nService and NeuronGlobal. The VAR Guy will explain why next week.

2. Friday’s Fatal Distraction: Scroll down to the bottom-right of this web page. No quarters required. A new fatal distraction will debut each Friday. Enjoy.

1. Check the Headline: If you know The VAR Guy, you know he doesn’t play by the rules. There is no #1 on this list, because it’s a top six list.

Is Canonical serious about pushing Ubuntu into businesses? The company’s latest corporate move provides a clear answer. Indeed, Canonical has hired Matt Asay (pictured) — one of the open source industry’s best-known names — as its new chief operating officer. The move comes amid a CEO shift and several major product initiatives at Canonical. Here are some perspectives.

Heads up for VARs and partners working with SMBs: If you haven’t given ZyXel a look yet, you might want to read on. They’ve got some interesting UTM (unified threat management) solutions and some margin-increasing incentives if you work with them. Here are the details.

When it comes to SharePoint, there’s no middle ground: Folks are either profiting from the Microsoft platform, or competing fiercely with it. Microsoft sells at least $1 billion worth of SharePoint annually. And on Feb. 10, SharePoint customers and partners are going to converge on San Francisco for a major SharePoint conference. Here’s what to expect.

I must concede: Sometimes I worry Canonical is trying to do too much too soon with Ubuntu. From mobile devices all the way to enterprise servers and cloud computing, founder Mark Shuttleworth has big aspirations for Ubuntu. There are times when I think Canonical is stretched too thin on multiple fronts. But just when I get really worried, the company makes a major move that impresses me. A case in point: Open source expert Matt Asay has joined Canonical as chief operating officer. It’s a big move for Canonical, Ubuntu and Asay. Here’s why.

Just in time for 3DTV (no joke, Norton), Microsoft is set to launch a Digital Home competency for channel partners in May 2010, according to documentation on the company’s Web site. The Digital Home channel initiative is part of a broader Microsoft Partner Network competency overhaul. Here are the details.