The VAR Guy

Oracle continues to evangelize software solutions to Sun legacy partners. But do Sun partners need to specialize in Oracle databases, applications and middleware? The VAR Guy gathered some thoughts from Oracle VPs Tom Wagner and Jim Standard, plus Avnet VP Mike Hurst. Here are their perspectives.

The VAR Guy knows Avnet Technology Solutions works closely with a range of IT vendors. But which solutions providers work most closely with Avnet? And which of those channel partners are generating the most success? Here’s a quick look at Avnet’s partners of the year…

Call it the latest example of coopetition. On some fronts, Cisco Systems and Oracle cooperate. But on other fronts, Cisco and Oracle increasingly compete. That reality is taking center stage this week during the Avnet Technology Solutions Partner Summit near Denver, Colo. Here’s a recap through the eyes of The VAR Guy.

The VAR Guy spent most of today listening to Oracle’s latest pitch to partners. The chatter occurred at Avnet Technology Solutions Partner Summit near Denver. Among the highlights: Some new competitive claims involving Sun’s CMT (Chip Multi-threading) servers allegedly outperforming Intel on some fronts. Here are the details, plus six other Oracle partner trends from the Avnet partner conference.

Oracle is using simple math to explain complex customer opportunities awaiting Sun partners. According to Oracle’s Tom Wagner, there are 130,000 North American Oracle customers that don’t run Sun hardware. Wagner concedes that Oracle is hiring direct sales resources, but he says partners should ignore industry FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) and focus on those 130,000 North American customer opportunities.

Oracle and Avnet Technology Solutions, as expected, are making channel partner moves this week. At Avnet Technology Solutions Partner Summit in Colorado, the key theme is “new products, new customers, new markets” — and much the conference focuses on Oracle’s OPN specialized partner program. Here’s the scoop.

For the first time in recent memory, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Oracle Co-President Charles Phillips (pictured, left to right) seem to be having a public difference of opinion. Last week, Phillips publicly stated Oracle would planned to pump $70 billion into acquisitions over the next five years. But Oracle’s corporate PR team says no such M&A budget exists.

Several hundred channel partners today are heading to the Avnet Technology Solutions Partner Summit in Broomfield, Colo. Partners representing Cisco Systems, Oracle and Symantec seem to be here in full force. The VAR Guy expects at least seven key trends to surface at the partner conference. Here’s a look.

On the eve of its partner conference in Colorado, Avnet Technology Solutions is digging deeper into vertical markets — promoting data center expertise in banking, energy, utilities and retail industries. Here’s some perspective…

When the Avnet Technology Solutions Partner Summit kicks off July 26, Cisco Systems and Oracle plan to be at the event in full force. In fact, Cisco and Oracle may offer channel partners competing data center views. Why’s that? Here are some clues…