The VAR Guy

Dell Global Channel Chief Greg Davis (pictured) has been on the phone with partners in recent days, discussing Hewlett-Packard’s decision to try and sell off or spin off its PC business. Based on that news, Dell is preparing to put some messaging out to HP partners. Here’s a preview.

Michael Dell and top executives from Microsoft, Salesforce.com, Intel and VMware are confirmed to speak at the first-ever Dell World conference (Oct. 12-14, Austin, Texas). The event will attempt to help CIOs manage the Virtual Era of IT. Are channel partners invited? Absolutely yes. As Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis stated to The VAR Guy, “You know we welcome partners in all of our events.” Here’s the update.

If you didn’t already know, The VAR Guy is in Orlando (again) for the Dell Storage Forum, gaining insight into Dell’s vision for storage technology and its plans for the channel therein. The word “fluidity” is being used an awful lot at this event, which The VAR Guy is learning has more to do with the technology than Dell’s channel plans. Read on to see what our resident blogger has learned thus far …

The VAR Guy can’t help but check out the mobile trends that pop up during a partner conference. The Dell Storage Forum is no exception. During a kick-off dinner Sunday, June 5, the conversation turned to mobility — completely off-topic from the event, but here’s what Dell’s Channel Chief Greg Davis had to say about his Windows Phone 7, Android, the iPhone and a the future of mobile:

The VAR Guy is down in sunny Orlando, Fla., for the first-ever Dell Storage Forum, where he’ll be catching up with Dell and Dell’s storage partners. There’s a little bit for everyone here at the Dell Storage Forum, from virtualization and application solutions, PowerVault, EqualLogic and most importantly Dell Compellent Technology solutions. So what is The VAR Guy putting on his plate at this Smörgåsbord? Read on and find out …

Back in March 2011, The VAR Guy spoke with Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis about Dell’s buyout of Compellent Technologies,  its channel momentum and its storage, SaaS and cloud efforts in the wake of its positive Q4 results. Davis noted then the channel plays a big role in Dell’s success, and now Dell is hoping its moves to enhance its partner program will bring even more partner success. Paul Shaffer, Dell’s Worldwide Channel Marketing director, offered up a little color on the enhancements …

Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis (pictured) sounds downright optimistic. The reason: Dell recently announced strong quarterly results, with an assist from channel partners. Now, Davis and the Dell PartnerDirect team are preparing to accelerate the company’s storage channel initiative… before shifting some attention to a potential cloud partner program effort. The current focus: Dell’s recent buyout of Compellent Technologies. Davis sees potential synergies between Dell’s EqualLogic partners and Compellent partners. Here’s why.

Jay McBain, director of SMB within Lenovo’s channel, has left the PC maker — though McBain has yet to publicly disclose where he’s heading next. In the meantime, McBain leaves Lenovo in good hands as the PC maker increasingly focuses on MSP-centric business opportunities. Here’s the update.

At first glance, Dell is social-media savvy. The company’s IdeaStorm site allows customers to brainstorm ideas with the PC giant. The Direct2Dell blog is a timely read for customers, partners and journalists tracking the company. And Dell has received a social media award from AMI-Partners. But take a closer look: Dell’s channel-related social media efforts have gone silent at a time when Lenovo and other rivals are raising their social media voices in the channel. Here’s the update.

The VAR Guy plans to enjoy the entire three-day Labor Day Weekend here in the U.S. But before our resident blogger unplugs for the extended weekend, here are six channel partner blog entries The VAR Guy’s team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Sept. 3, 2010.

Changes appear imminent within Dell’s channel partner program, and they’ll take effect on February 1. The two-part question: Are they super-small, isolated tweaks? Or is something bigger going on? Alas, The VAR Guy is having a difficult time finding answers. But here’s the chatter so far.

Following a surprise New Years Eve reorganization at Dell, the company is reaching out to partners and assuring them the PC giant remains committed to their success. Greg Davis, who makes the leap from North America Channel Chief to Global Channel Chief, offered up this blog to offer peace of mind to the channel and Dell’s PartnerDirect members.

Greg Davis, Dell’s North American channel chief, is moving up to a global post, according to the folks at ChannelInsider. Hmmm. That should silence conspiracy theorists who think Dell’s surprise New Year’s Eve reorganization could put the company’s PartnerDirect channel program at risk.

Pssst: Hey Greg Davis (pictured). You’ve just been named Dell’s global channel chief — in charge of the PC giant’s worldwide partner strategy. What are you going to do next? Here’s one suggestion: Offer some Ubuntu PCs to solutions providers. Here’s why.

Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis says the company is exploring a range of new partner initiatives, including IT certifications for health care and federal government partners. Davis also says changes are coming to Dell’s deal registration system, which currently doesn’t accept engagements valued at under $50,000. For more, check out a podcast with Davis hosted by our sister site, MSPmentor.

Dell today sent a letter to managed service providers. The dispatch provides MSPs with an update on Dell’s partner strategy. Give it a read by visiting our sister site, MSPmentor.

The VAR Guy is packing up and heading to Austin, Texas, to meet with Dell’s channel chief on March 28. During the chat with  Greg Davis, VP of commercial channels, our resident blogger plans to raise numerous questions. But here are the top 5 on his mind.