The VAR Guy

When Sun Microsystems announced its so-called Open Storage Appliances (code-named Amber Road) today, The VAR Guy noticed an interesting trend: Open source companies from A to Z (Alfresco to Zmanda) lined up to endorse the product family. Hmmm. Sun hasn’t exactly set the world on fire lately. But Amber Road shows partner promise. Here’s why.

During a phone chat today, a Web developer asked The VAR Guy if the US financial crisis would send more corporate customers running out to buy low-cost open source solutions. The VAR Guy’s surprising answer: No. Here’s why.

A year ago, 15 percent of Alfresco’s sales involved channel partners. This year, the open source content management company will drive 60 percent of its sales through channel partners, The VAR Guy has learned. So, what can other open source companies learn from Alfresco’s channel strategy? Take a look.

Canonical is preparing an Ubuntu Server blitz at LinuxWorld Expo in August. Alfresco, IBM, Openbravo, Zimbra and others are expected to rally around Ubuntu Server at the conference, The VAR Guy learned during meetings at OSCON. Here’s the scoop, and the implications for Ubuntu partners.

Matt Asay, author of The Open  Road blog, is telling the world how Macs are replacing PCs at corporate meetings. But that’s not all, Asay notes. Check out this photo from the Missouri School of Journalism. Look at all those Macs. The Kids Are All Right! So, what does all this mean for Microsoft?

As the Apple Macintosh nears a record 8 percent market share, The VAR Guy strongly believes open source is accelerating the Macintosh’s momentum. Here’s why.

The VAR Guy isn’t suggesting that open source companies will launch initial public offerings (IPOs) anytime soon. But a lengthy chat with an open source guru — call him Pele — got our resident blogger brainstorming a bit. Here are three open source companies that could test the IPO waters over the next couple of years.