The VAR Guy

Millions of iPhone users download applications from Apple’s App Store. Now, Cisco Systems is considering a similar online App Store approach in the corporate market. Eventually, the networking giant may launch an online service or central repository to help you find Unified Communications applications and Widgets, The VAR Guy has learned. Here’s the scoop.

The VAR Guy spoke with Avnet CEO Roy Vallee (pictured) this week. During the conversation, Vallee expressed optimism that Avnet (the distribution giant) and Cisco Systems Inc. (the networking giant) would eventually work together. Here’s the scoop.

Alcatel-Lucent is bringing in a new CEO, but The VAR Guy remains highly skeptical of the networking giant for three key reasons.

Sometimes, small deals are big indicators about where companies are heading next. Cisco’s $215 million acquisition of PostPath, for instance, speaks volumes about where John Chambers is taking the networking giant. Some folks say it’s a direct attack against Microsoft Exchange. The VAR Guy claims otherwise.

So, word has leaked that the New York Mets’ new stadium, Citi Field, will use Unified Communications from Nortel Networks. Wonderful. Seems right. The Mets (like Nortel) have always been an underdog compared to their crosstown rivals (Cisco, er, the Yankees). Still, The VAR Guy would trade the Mets’ high-tech advancements for one decent relief pitcher who won’t blow a big lead to the Phillies.

Most folks are casually covering Nortel Networks’ acquisition of Pingtel, which specializes in open source VoIP and unified communications solutions. But there’s a bigger story here — much bigger, folks — that most observers have overlooked.

Every networking company would love to build an online community of loyal customers and partners. But F5 Networks has actually done it. And that could lead to a competitve advantage in the market.

Sometimes “no news” can speak volumes about a company. A case in point: Keith Goodwin, senior VP of worldwide channels at Cisco Systems, hosted a web conference for Wall Street analysts on July 9. The VAR Guy listened in. Here’s what he learned.

At Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston, most folks are focused on Microsoft’s Software as a Service (SaaS) strategy. But here’s a quick fact from the event that caught The VAR Guy’s ear: More than 2,500 Microsoft partners have achieved the “Unified Communications Solutions” competency. Should Cisco Systems be worried?

Perhaps it is possible to fly below Cisco Systems’ radar, and succeed in the networking market. Just ask the folks over at Adtran, which attracted positive comments from Morgan Stanley on July 7, notes Barron’s.