The VAR Guy

At first glance, Axcient has built its business promoting cloud backup services to MSPs. But take a closer look and it’s clear that Axcient is beginning to work more closely with VARs. What’s next? Just an educated hunch based on some news today: The VAR Guy believes Axcient is now taking aim at Symantec Backup Exec channel partners.

Recent events have confirmed the reality of the iPhone 5, but the physical existence of it is something of another matter. Here are the last iPhone 5 rumors and rumblings you’ll get before Apple’s official Oct. 4 event. Short and simple details follow …

Here’s a new twist on an old theme: Rumors are circulating that Amazon might be interested in buying webOS from HP. If that’s true, what could we expect from the Internet content giant? After Amazon made its presence known in the tablet space with its Kindle Fire release, it’s clear the comany has taken an interest in building unique and proprietary mobile devices and operating systems. So could Amazon use webOS to develop a new hybrid OS?

Join our next Webcast this Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. Participants will gain early access to our new MSPmentor 100 survey, which launches that day. Plus, we’ll review 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. I look forward to your questions, and I’ll share some updates on the next MSPmentor 100 survey during the webcast.

Oracle President and CFO Safra Catz today said Hewlett-Packard may be a “former” partner, claimed Microsoft is distracted by 16-year-old consumers, and said IBMers should hide under their desks in Armonk, N.Y., as Oracle’s Exadata business marches forward. Catz’s comments, some tongue-in-cheek, surfaced at Oracle OpenWorld today in San Francisco. Here’s the blow by blow.

Oracle is taking aim at Hewlett-Packard, promoting Exadata, Exalogic, Exastack and Oracle Database Appliance initiatives against HP’s traditional ProLiant server business. Oracle Channel Chief Judson Althoff and President and CFO Safra Catz (pictured) started the fireworks during Oracle PartnerForum, part of Oracle OpenWorld, in San Francisco today.

At Oracle OpenWorld, Channel Chief Judson Althoff said he wants to boost Oracle’s partner ranks to 25,000 companies, up from 20,000 today. To do so, Oracle will likely raid the Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft partner channels. Althoff didn’t exactly mention those rivals by name, but he said enough to put both companies in Oracle’s crosshairs. Here are nine highlights from Althoff and Oracle Partner Forum, part of Oracle OpenWorld (Oct. 2-6, San Francisc0).