The VAR Guy

Ouch. Painful headline. But The VAR Guy is growing tired of social media “experts” trying to make a buck off of small businesses that are desperate to bolster their online identities. So, how can you tell a true social media expert from a pretender? Here are seven clues.

Sure, hardware and software companies have built numerous portals for their channel partners. Some are big hits. Others are ugly misses. But here’s a twist: Laurus Technologies,  a Certified Dell Partner in Itasca, Ill., has built a rather intriguing portal that could bolster customer loyalty. Here are the details.

The Oracle vs. SAP battle has spilled over into social media, where the two software giants are taking decidedly different approaches to engaging channel partners. Here’s a look at each strategy and key milestones so far.

What’s cookin’ at LogLogic? I caught up with Guy Churchward, president and CEO, and Bill Roth, chief marketing officer, to discuss LogLogic’s channel strategy, their market, and why a partner ecosystem works so well in bad (or good) economic times. Here’s a recap.

Wireless mobile giant Motorola has launched their PartnerEmpower Channel Program. Officially, the Motorola PartnerEmpower Program (PEP)  brings together all of Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions (EMS) partners “under a single channel program framework.” Here are additional perspectives from Motorola Channel Chief Janet Schijns (pictured).

Isilon Systems, which specializes in scalable storage, network-attached storage, archiving solutions and storage virtualization, is making some channel partner moves. I spoke with Leonard Iventosch, the channel VP who is building Isilon’s partner program. Here’s his strategy.

I know what you’re thinking: “Am I reading The VAR Guy or some other tabloid blog?” But let’s face it; no matter what business you’re in, you’re interested in Apple’s business, even if it’s just an ancillary glance. Friday, March 5th came and with it was the announcement that the iPad would be available April 3rd. It kind of slipped under our radar. What didn’t, however, was the fact the iPad is coming a little late. Oh, and Steve Jobs was at the Oscars…

Arrow Electronics ECS has launched a new professional services business unit. Translation: Arrow ECS now provides technical, education, and other support across their products. Here’s the quick details on this announcement…

Recently, I sat down and had a chat with Zyxel’s Shawn Roger, product marketing manager and Jake Sailana, marcomm manager. The pitch? Have you considered ZyXel for your healthcare needs? Here’s what they want you to know…

Back at the end of January we had our first little chat with Astaro and they gave us a heads-up on 3 new products they were working on in the unified threat management (UTM) market. Now that March has started, they’ve got some more official details on what’s coming out. If you’re even a little bit interested in networking, mail or web security, you many want to take a look…

If you’re out there working with the Tech Data Healthcare Specialized Business Unit (SBU), you’re in for some interesting new. Tech Data has now added a special service for members of the TechMed Alliance. It connects IT resellers to grant writing and tracking services. Here are some details.

Tech Data is working with Sage North America Healthcare Division on the health care vertical. Also news: Sage the first member of the brand new TechMed Vendor Affiliate Program. The aim is to make it easy to build an Electronic Health Records Business. And what does that mean exactly? Well, VARs in healthcare might want to read on…

What’s the fastest way to generate more revenue within the SAP partner ecosystem? One answer may involve Softengine, an SAP hosting partner that is building business and SaaS relationships with dozens of VARs across North America. The VAR Guy spotted Softengine yesterday at the SAP Partner Summit in Las Vegas. Here’s the scoop.

ViewSonic, that gaggle of birds that adorns at least one of your monitors, is rolling out a new digital signage reseller and partner program. The goal? Streamlined and easy access to a variety of products and digital signage solutions. Here’s the quick rundown.

Attention all those holding stock with Apple Inc., don’t expect any sort of dividend or buyback. Steve Jobs doesn’t plan on it. All the cash Apple has is staying in the bank, and that’s final. Is that a smart idea for Apple? For Jobs’ persona? Here’s the deal…

Tech Data puts another notch in their belt as the first distributor in the Americas to ship the Cisco Service Provider Video Technology Group portfolio of solutions. They call it the SPVTG for short, and we think VARs in any sort of video-related niche (or even digital signage) might want to take a look…

Cisco TelePresence: It’s nifty technology, but not everyone can afford it. But that’s where  Starwood Hotels and Resorts steps in. They’ve unveiled their first in-hotel Cisco TelePresence meeting suites. That means they’re ‘public’ to the extent that you’d like to rent one. The flagship hotels?  The W Chicago City Center in Illinois and the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, Australia. But more are coming, and soon. Here’s the scoop about the new plan and partnerships…

Just one day into the Digital Signage Expo (DSE) and the news about Ingram’s foray into digital signage, we already have people jumping on board. Hiperwall Inc. has announced a US distribution agreement with Ingram. Details follow…

Tech Data has enhanced their Advanced Infrastructure Solutions (AIS) Division, beefing up their data center solutions for VARs with four new solutions groups. Here are some quick specifics.

Ingram Micro has launched a Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE) effort, which is geared and tweaked specifically for the Ingram Micro community. And where are they announcing it? A city with big lights and signs. Las Vegas, of course. How apropos.

Astaro, the Unified Threat Management company we’ve come to know over the past few months, is looking to beef up it’s channel strategy. For 2010 Astaro is looking is to implement some new growth strategies and they’re feeling pretty optimistic. Here’s the run down…

Let’s be honest, here. The VAR Guy and friends mainly focus on VARs and MSPs in the traditional IT industry. But there are some hidden opportunities in the Automatic Data Collection (ADC) industry. That’s the message from Intermec’s Scott Anderson, global channels manager and Jim McDonnell, senior VP of global sales. Here’s what they had to say.

Here’s an interesting item that just hit our inbox: The Cisco Marketplace — an independently run site, has launched to focus on the sale of new, used and refurbished Cisco equipment. To reiterate: The site is neither owned nor operated by Cisco. But we’re intrigued. VARs and companies alike looking to potential save a few bucks might want to read on…