The VAR Guy

Hosted Microsoft Exchange provider Intermedia is making a big step towards a real, cloud-delivered unified communications (UC) product today with the launch of its hosted PBX service, targeted at giving even the smallest of enterprises a voice-over-IP (VoIP) solution that integrates with their messaging system. Here are the potential implications for VARs and MSPs.

Imprivata has inked a partnership with VMware. The move integrates Imprivata’s OneSign secure user access solutions with VMware. In theory, the partnership will offer partners and customers more secure access to virtual desktops. Here are the quick details…

SAP AG has launched feature pack 2.5 for their SaaS-based Business ByDesign business management suite, bringing users features like in-memory analytics, mobile device support, and increased flexibility. It also adds starter packages to help VARs shift customers into SAP’s cloud. But rivals like NetSuite continue to attack SAP’s SaaS and cloud strategy. Here’s the update.

Celeros hasn’t traditionally be on our radar, but a virtualization move involving VMware has caught our attention. Celeros’ claim to fame is storage appliances, and today, the XD line of appliances has achieved the VMware Ready stamp of approval.

When it comes to the Mac, I recommend using iWorks over Office the majority of the time, but for you Mac-aficionados stuck in the Windows world, you’ll be happy to know that Office for Mac 2011 is coming at the end of October 2010. And Microsoft has a special upgrade offer for those who buy Office for Mac 2008 now. Here’s the run down of the editions and price tags for Microsoft’s latest Mac productivity offering…

Canonical has made a subtle but important shift in its channel partner strategy. Sure, the Ubuntu Linux promoter continues to engage with solutions providers. But increasingly, Canonical wants to recruit hosting partners and cloud partners onto the Ubuntu bandwagon. Here’s why.

At first glance, the so-called Intel Hybrid Cloud effort is built atop Windows Small Business Server (SBS) or Microsoft’s full-blown Windows Server. But The VAR Guy has been busy poking around — trying to determine if the Intel Hybrid Cloud also will include some Linux options. An answer could emerge at the CompTIA Breakaway conference (Aug. 9-12, San Antonio). Here’s some early speculation as only The VAR Guy can deliver it…

Polycom has released a new conference bridge and added functionality to its conferencing load balancer product – both elements of its ‘Intelligent Core’ for unified communications – in its ongoing effort to become the cream of the UC crop. Here’s the update.

Sure, The VAR Guy is happily married. He’s got a fantastic, beautiful wife and three awesome kids. But our resident blogger is facing a forbidden temptation today. The VAR Guy may actually quit his day job in order to pursue a new career, where he’ll be surrounded by dozens of beautiful, intelligent women 24×7. So, where exactly might The VAR Guy be heading? Here’s the potential answer…

Between ext3, ext4, reiserfs and others, Ubuntu has no shortage of file systems to choose from when installing a new system. And those options are set to become yet more numerous in Ubuntu 10.10, which will introduce support for btrfs.  Wondering what this new file system is all about and why it might matter to you?  Read on for an introduction.

Check in with profitable, customer-centric VARs, and you’ll discover a growing number of solutions providers leverage ISMO (independent service & maintenance organization) opportunities. But where did the ISMO business model come from? How has it evolved? And how are today’s solutions providers addressing multi-vendor customer support with ISMO solutions? Here’s everything you need to know.

Hosted interactive voice response (IVR) solution provider Angel.com is making two moves today: First, a rebranding to just “Angel.” Second, the launch of Angel 4.0, the latest release of their flagship product, designed to roll all the various aspects of their product line into one cohesive platform. Here’s the scoop.

I’m always on the prowl for applications that deliver ease of use while improving my blogging productivity. Since I got my iPad, I found blogging on the tablet to be a clunky two-step process because of Safari and WordPress limitations. But two App Store offerings — called Atomic Web and Split Screen — provide the type of functionality I’ve been seeking. Here’s some background on these cheap and helpful iPad apps.

If you poke around Apple’s website, you’ll discover they pulled down an iPhone 4-related page detailing the antenna attenuation vs. other popular smart phones. Is it because of rival backlash, or simply because Apple is tired of proving their point? Here’s some quick and opinionated perspective…