The VAR Guy

One of Microsoft’s key mistakes with Windows Vista was confusing customers with too many versions of the operating system (Ultimate, Home Premium, Home Basic, Business, Enterprise). Let’s hope Microsoft isn’t repeating that mistake with its newly announce Small Business Server 2008 offerings.

The VAR Guy has never been a big proponent of Microsoft Small Business Server. Older releases were difficult to reconfigure as a business grew. Still, solutions providers are finding creative ways to communicate the value of SBS to their customers. One case in point: Check out this nifty piece of viral marketing from Resolve Technology, a solutions provider in New Hampshire.

Every few months, a tech company announces yet another software suite aimed at toppling Microsoft’s Small Business Server. The latest entry comes from IBM. And this isn’t just another application hodge-podge bundled on servers. Here’s the scoop.

If you’re a Lenovo reseller, membership will soon have its privileges. The PC giant has rolled our Club Lenovo, a new loyalty rewards program for Lenovo SMB resellers in the U.S. and Canada. Beginning in October, the program rewards solutions providers and their sales force for selling Lenovo PCs, monitors, peripherals and services. Hmmm. The VAR Guy is in the market for a Linux-based PC. Is it time for him to get in on the Lenovo action?