The VAR Guy

As The VAR Guy himself is starting to see, this time of year gets really busy for your friendly neighborhood blog team when it comes to industry conferences and events. So it’s really no surprise that in the span of two weeks, I attended both the Salesforce.com Dreamforce ’11 (details on Talkin’ Cloud) and Intel Developer Forum 2011 events. Both involved ISVs, SIs and other channel pros converging on the Moscone Center in San Francisco, but the events couldn’t have been more different.

The newly re-clarified fact that Windows 8 on ARM won’t support x86 may hardly come as a surprise to some, especially The VAR Guy. But apparently, there was some clarification needed. Microsoft’s President of the Windows division, Steven Sinofsky, has confirmed that Windows 8 on ARM will be a slightly different experience than what users on x86 platforms are used to. Here’s why …

Microsoft is just saying no, just like Apple did, on the subject of web-based plug-ins. According to the Building Windows 8 blog — that Mecca of Windows 8 information — Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 8 under the Metro interface will not support any plug-ins including Flash. Microsoft’s reasoning, and my 2 cents, are all coming up if you keep reading …

If there was any doubt left that consumerization of IT is changing the face of SMBs, enterprises and, subsequently, the data center, a recent survey from Dell KACE just might do the trick. Among the results, the survey found 90 percent of employees are using personal devices for their daily work routine. How can the channel gear up for the BYO device world? It’s all here, just read on …

ADARA Networks have joined the Tech Data family, inking a distribution deal that will put both ADARA partners and ADARA’s network virtualization portfolio deeper into the channel. Read on for the quick details and channel perspective …

The big buzz in the IT world this week was Microsoft’s preview of Windows 8. And while the new OS will likely exert its greatest impact in the tablet market, Linux users will also no doubt be debating how it will affect the open source channel. What better way to kick off that discussion than to compare the key features of Windows 8 with Ubuntu?

Communications and collaboration company Polycom is eager to shed its reputation as a purely hardware vendor in favor of being a software-focused communications provider. To that end, the company has revamped and renamed its UC Intelligent Core product set and added to its partner ecosystem.

The second day of the Intel Developer Forum 2011 was given over entirely to a deep dive on the Ultrabook strategy, with Intel VP and GM of the PC Client Group Mooly Eden taking the stage to give attendees a closer look at concepts teased the day before. Microsoft even stopped by with a brief update on how existing applications can play nicely in the new Windows 8 playground.

As the clock ticks down to Apple’s usual Fall event, the rumors about what exactly will be unveiled continue to ramp up. We’ve already discussed the possibility of Sprint carrying the iPhone 4 and/or 5, but now rumor has it Sprint will also be the first carrier with a 4G iPad. Here’s the scoop …

If you’re a Mac-toting IT admin, VAR or MSP, it’s very likely you can’t get away from needing to run Windows or Windows applications. That’s okay, because VMware Fusion 4 is here, and it’s been specifically designed to run on Mac OS X Lion, with a nice list of other new enhancements. Read on for the update and whether it’s worth your coin …

Something odd has popped up on the Android-radar. A relatively unknown startup company is boasting a new Android tablet stocked to the extreme. The fastest mobile CPU, the most internal storage and a 10-inch screen with a large resolution. But is it too good to be true? Here’s the scoop on the Git Media’s Git Surge and Git Pro Honeycomb tablets …

For more than a year now, Canonical has been steadily developing the for-purchase section of the Ubuntu Software Center, which has emerged as a key potential source of revenue for the company behind the world’s most popular desktop Linux distribution. If you’re a programmer thinking of selling your work through the Software Center, however, you’re probably wondering what the actual terms of business are. Thanks to a recent session of Ubuntu App Developer Week, they’ve been spelled out clearly. Read on for a look.

As the Microsoft BUILD event rolled on, The VAR Guy kept his eyes open for Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Sure enough, he appeared at the end of the Day 2 to present the keynote. Ballmer delivered an interesting speech on the future of the Windows platform and where Microsoft is truly headed. Here’s a hint: the cloud. Read on for the all-important perspective from yours truly, The VAR Guy …

Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers yesterday attacked rival Juniper Networks. Now, Cisco is following up with a $75 million investment to help drive SMB Partner Led sales, according to Andrew Sage, Cisco’s VP of Partner Led. It’s all part of the “Next Cisco” strategy. Has the sleeping giant truly awoken? Here’s the update.

What else can I say but, “whew!” Your humble correspondent has been beaten into the ground by the whirlwind that was Intel Developer Forum 2011 Day 1, which turned out to be a nonstop tour of announcements, pronouncements and, inevitably, hype.

Avnet’s SolutionsPaths are getting more intimate for partners working with the distribution giant. Avnet is now offering access to data center training and workshops within the new Data Center University. If you’re a SolutionsPath partner and need to sharpen your virtualization, security or storage know-how, read on to get educated on Avnet’s education …

If you’re a VAR working the security scene with Tech Data, there’s a new weapon in your arsenal. Arbor Networks has partnered with Tech Data to provide on-premise DDoS protection with the Pravail Availability Protection System (APS). Here’s the scoop on the technology and the new distribution agreement …

Virtualization and zero-client company Pano Logic is hitting the scene with two new all-inclusive virtualization packages: servers, clients and software, all pre-packaged, pre-configured, bundled and ready to go right out of the box. They represent the next evolution of Pano Logic’s Pano Express, specifically geared for the SMB and remote offices. Read on for the details …

AutoVirt has broken out its channel partner program to help OEMs, VARs and SIs leverage AutoVirt’s file migration and management software.

No doubt, holding Microsoft Windows BUILD at the same time as Intel Developer Forum 2011 caused a dilemma for channel pros who’ve partnered up with both companies. But there was a surprise in my IDF goodie bag that’s potentially good news for the Microsoft partners in attendance: the promise of free Windows Server 8 preview and development kits at the Microsoft booth. But you’ll have to be fast — there are only 100 download codes to go around.

The Microsoft BUILD event keynote earlier today in Anaheim, Calif., was kind of a big deal. Microsoft’s efforts with Windows 8 are really deeper than building an operating system. Windows 8 is truly an entire ecosystem of interconnected products that allow for a very Apple-like approach to platform development. Our resident blogger was happily surprised, since he thought the Windows 8 keynote would be a glorified tech demo. The Windows 8 Keynote kicked off with Steven Sinofsky (pictured), president of Microsoft’s Windows Division, giving a slightly Steve Jobs-ian presentation, complete with sneakers that looked suspiciously like New Balance. Cute. And it only got better from there.

The Windows 8 BUILD Event kicks off Sept. 13, 2011, and where would we be without The VAR Guy’s input and perspective? Microsoft has thus far kept everyone in the loop with its development of Windows 8 through its Building Windows 8 blog, and our resident blogger is liking what he reads — for the most part.

Intel has officially confirmed its next generation of Intel Atom CPUs, the E6xx series, will support Android Gingerbread come January 2012. Is that good news for Intel partners or the mobile industry in general? Here’s some peculiar prognostication on the future of Google’s OS on Intel’s hardware …