The VAR Guy

Apple computers have been in my life as far back as I can remember. Having been born in 1987, that’s probably not saying too much, but it’s fair to say I’ve seen a large chunk of the evolution of computing, going from a DOS prompt to iOS, in my 24 short years. But I wasn’t always an Apple fan. Here’s a short recollection on how Apple and Steve Jobs affected my life growing up, and helped make me who I am today …

The VAR Guy is back again with a fresh order of deep-dish distribution news. On the menu tonight is the big three: Tech Data, Avnet and Ingram Micro. Here’s the scoop on Tech Data’s new plan with RIM plus Avnet and Ingram’s strategic new moves …

With so much focus on Apple, the iPhone 4S and Steve Jobs’ unfortunate passing this week, we almost neglected Android-related news. Here’s the lowdown on two interesting rumors about Google’s latest Android phone and the latest version of the Android operating system …

If you were a fan of Siri when it showed up as an app in the App Store, enjoy it while you still can. Apple is pulling the plug on the app and its servers Oct. 15, 2011. But don’t lament the loss so quickly: Jailbreakers are already working on making Siri available to iPhone 4 users. But can it become a reality?

While at Interop New York 2011, The VAR Guy sat down and spoke to Larry Hart, Dell’s senior director of worldwide networking marketing, about Dell’s position in the networking space. In a nutshell, Hart said Dell’s presence in the data center has never been more prominent, especially with its expanding data portfolio and recent acquisition of Force10. Here’s The VAR Guy scoop on where Dell is headed and how the channel can go there with Dell …

The VAR Guy predicted three big trends to hit Interop NYC: Network Virtualization, WAN optimization and IPv6. But the scene on the Interop expo floor reflected a slightly different vibe. Here’s what The VAR Guy saw as he slipped and blogged between the booths …

It was just a month ago when Hitachi Data Systems acquired BlueArc to expand its storage offerings. Now the company is doing it again with Shoden Data Systems. The details are short and simple: Hitachi Data Systems is looking to expand its storage footprint in a very large way. Here’s the scoop …

I admire Apple. But I love Pixar. As the world mourns Steve Jobs’ death, I recall the first time I took my sons to an Apple Store. I told them it was Steve Jobs’ home. My six-year-old son replied: “Do Woody and Buzz live here, too?” Indeed, my kids knew Steve Jobs was the man behind both Apple and Pixar. But few people realize just how much time, money and patience Jobs invested to transform Pixar from a money-losing R&D house into the world’s most successful digital movie studio.

Apple founder Steve Jobs has passed away. He was 56. Apple.com serves as a memorial, featuring a black and white image of Jobs. Jobs’ family issued a statement that he passed “peacefully” with his family by his side. Nine Lives Media expresses its deepest sympathies as it regrets the loss of one of the world’s greatest visionaries and influential thinkers. We’ll miss you, Steve.

I’m moderating a Webcast today (Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 2:00 p.m. eastern). The topic: Five SaaS Habits of Highly Profitable MSPs. Two Top MSPs and CA Technologies will describe the five moves in deep detail, while answering your questions throughout. Plus, we’ll preview the fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 survey, which launches today. I look forward to your questions, and I’ll share some updates on the next MSPmentor 100 survey during the webcast.

Symantec is trying to make good on its almost year-old vision outlined by CEO Enrique Salem at Symantec Partner Engage in November 2010. It’s a vision of cloud-connected devices, securely managed, all wrapped up in a mobile identity. Now, Symantec is bringing protection to your cloud and tablet devices, with Symantec O3 (a.k.a., “Ozone”) and Symantec Data Loss Prevention for Tablets. I spoke to Dave Elliott, senior product marketing manager of global cloud marketing, and Tim Matthews, director of product marketing management, about the news …

Avaya continues to drive itself deeper into the unified communications realm. The company announced it has acquired Sipera, a UC company with a laser focus on UC security. Sipera technology will be completely assimilated into Avaya, so what assets will Avaya be SIP-ing up? Here’s the scoop …

The VAR Guy is headed to Interop New York 2011, which is conveniently located (at least for our resident blogger) at the Javits Center in midtown Manhattan. It’s a refreshing change of pace from The VAR Guy’s constant traveling outside his home turf. But while the Las Vegas version of Interop is inarguably the more important of the two events, the New York venue still has something to offer attendees (and we’re not talking knishes).

Data storage is to IT what silverware is to a fancy dinner: it may not be the most glamorous or exciting part of the setup, but it’s a vitally necessary one (unless, of course, the civilizing process has eluded you and you prefer eating with your hands). And like forks and knives, data storage solutions are already plentiful and come in many shapes and sizes. But that hasn’t stopped open source giant Red Hat from making a major bid in this market with its recent acquisition of Gluster. Here’s the scoop.

Well, it looks like all the predictions about the iPhone 5 were wrong. The only new iPhone Apple released at its Oct. 4, 2011, media event was the iPhone 4S, which is identical to the iPhone 4. But all the iPhone 4S predictions were completely true and spot on. Here’s the super-quick rundown on Apple’s latest iPhone.

Technologies such as cloud computing and virtualization are forcing many enterprises to take a good, long look at their WAN performance. So, too, are vendors, hoping to help companies get rid of the slow feeds and extended latencies associated with those new technologies that drag down the network. Now Cisco Systems is jumping feet first into the WAN optimization space with a revamped line of solutions.

Oracle has started to pitch Oracle Linux and Oracle VM at the massive Oracle OpenWorld conference in San Francisco. The big question: Are Oracle OpenWorld attendees willing to shift their focus from Red Hat Enterprise Linux and VMware to Oracle’s alternatives?  Hmmm…

Michael Dell told Oracle OpenWorld attendees this morning that “Dell is not a PC company.” Instead, he described Dell as an “end-to-end solutions company,” including a firm commitment to PC endpoints. Without mentioning Hewlett-Packard by name, Dell said end-to-end solutions will beat the point-product approach. Dell also said cloud computing is erasing the line between business and IT. Here’s a recap.

Oops. Microsoft’s Security Essentials has accidentally flagged Google’s Chrome browser as a security risk. Microsoft has remedied the solution, but what does this say about the state of affairs in the PC world? Here’s a little perspective on the mishap …

Remember way back in August 2011 when Google purchased Motorola Mobility? Fears about how Google would use the phone manufacturing arm of Motorola swept the ‘net, setting the stage for internal competition between Google and other Android OEM partners. Despite the very real potential of this happening, Google’s Eric Schmidt says to not worry. Should we believe him?

F5 Networks knows the future of IPv6 is coming and the switch will be inevitable. That’s why F5 Networks wants to make it easy as possible with its new IPv6 Solutions Services offering. Short, simple and sweet, here’s how F5 Networks can get you ready for the future of the Internet …

Cisco Systems is preparing some Cius Android tablet surprises at the Cisco Collaboration Summit (Nov. 14-17, Miami, Fla.), a major channel partner event. Key efforts apparently involve AppHQ, a Cisco-developed app store for the Cius tablet. Here’s the early chatter.

Avnet Technology Solutions has ordered 100 Oracle Database Appliances (ODAs) and expects to receive Oracle shipments in mid-October, according to Chris Swahn, VP and GM of Oracle solutions at Avnet. Meanwhile Avnet’s entire vertical market leadership team — across health care, government, retail, energy and financial services — is attending Oracle OpenWorld to build deeper Oracle relationships, The VAR Guy has learned.