The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy spent portions of this week working through some programming issues. He’d like to say thanks to the Fanatical support folks who assisted with some key insights. Faced with distractions, here are six channel partner program blog entries The VAR Guy didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending April 15, 2011.

Two things you should know: This week saw the release of version 9.0 of open source database PostgreSQL and EnterpriseDB has announced support for it. New to PostgreSQL 9.0 is 64-bit Microsoft Windows support, built in replication, and hot standby. Here’s the lowdown.

If the rumors are correct, Novell will soon be sold off in two parts. The alleged buyers are VMware and Attachmate, which has private equity backing. The big question: Does VMware really intend to acquire Novell’s SUSE Linux business? The VAR Guy doubted it a few months ago. But now, The VAR Guy has come around to the idea, assuming pricing and terms can be worked out. Here are five reasons VMware would pursue such a deal.

MarkLogic, developer of the eponymous “award-winning” database, has announced that systems integrator Flatirons Solutions will be its first North American distributor. But it raises a question — does the market really need another database?

EnterpriseDB, which provides enterprise-level open source PostgreSQL database services, has announced its completed a round of funding, adding KT (formerly Korea Telecom) and TransLink Capital to its list of investors. Here’s the story.

EnterpriseDB, the self-described “Enterprise Postgres Company,” has announced a strategic partnership with data warehousing specialists Netezza Corporation. Under the terms of the deal, Netezza will resell EnterpriseDB’s Postgres Plus Advanced Server as Netezza Migrator (nzMigrator), an Oracle migration tool designed to operate within Netezza’s TwinFin appliance. Here’s the lowdown.

EnterpriseDB, an open source database provider, has recruited MySQL veteran Karen Tegan Padir to head up their products and marketing division. In her new position, Padir will report directly to EnterpriseDB President and CEO (and fellow Red Hat alum) Ed Boyajian. Here’s a look at Padir’s career move — and the implications for both EnterpriseDB and MySQL.

The VAR Guy is on the road the rest of April, blogging live from many of the top partner conferences in North America. Can you keep up with our resident blogger? Can The VAR Guy keep up with himself? Apparently not: Here are six channel partner blog entries The VAR Guy didn’t have time to write for the week ending April 9, 2010.

CompTIA, perhaps the largest association serving VARs and channel partners, is making progress with its open source education strategy. The latest example: CompTIA and the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) are expected to announce an international certification partnership on April 7. Here’s the scoop.

The VAR Guy was distracted by the usual stuff this week. Deadlines. Meetings. Vendor calls. And classic arcade games. Here are six blog entries The VAR Guy didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Jan. 29, 2010.

As we approach next week’s LinuxWorld Expo, The VAR Guy was reminded of an age-old problem. During a meeting earlier this week in New Orleans, a solution provider told The VAR Guy he just didn’t understand how to profit from open source. Didn’t we put this issue to rest a long time ago? Perhaps not. Here are eight ways VARs can profit from Linux and Open Source.

In our “winner take all” society, The VAR Guy is starting to wonder: Can open source companies like Concursive, Compiere and EnterpriseDB ever escape from the shadows of their larger and more successful rivals (SugarCRM and MySQL)? Before you answer, consider these lessons.

Sun Microsystems’ MySQL is the database to beat in the open source market. But another option — EnterpriseDB — has caught the attention of several investors — including IBM. Here’s the scoop for potential partners.