The VAR Guy

Distribution company SYNNEX has inked a deal with Kerio Technologies to help proliferate Kerio’s security, voice and collaboration solutions into the marketplace in the United States. Read on for the quick details on what exactly Kerio’s solutions can provide for VARs and system integrators…

The VAR Guy is scratching his head in confusion. When our resident blogger’s web site officially launched in January 2008, open source was all the rage. And quite a few open source companies were building channel partner programs at the time. Fast forward to the present and it seems like some open source channel partner programs have gone silent — especially as cloud computing continues to generate so much freakin’ hype. But don’t lose hope. Here’s why.

ShoreTel, provider of “brilliantly simple” VoIP and unified communications solutions, has acquired enterprise mobility solution developer Agito Networks for $11.4 million. The deal gives ShoreTel the ability to extend UC systems to cell phones — a potential boon for any business. Here are some details.

Cbeyond makes communications and IT solutions; ADTRAN makes networking and communication solutions. A match made in heaven? Maybe. ADTRAN has joined up with the Cbeyond PBX Platform Partner Program at the ‘Platinum’ Tier. Honors and mentions aside, here’s what it means for you, dear reader…

Time for The VAR Guy to eat a little crow. In a post last week, our resident blogger told readers Microsoft was invading Digium AsteriskWorld, an open source IP PBX conference in Miami. There was only one problem with the blog entry: The VAR Guy was wrong. Here’s how he goofed.

In today’s episode, Fonality CEO Chris Lyman discusses Asterisk, open source, the IP PBX market and Fonality’s partner strategy. More specifically, The VAR Guy Live: Podcast covers the following five key topics…

Fonality CEO On Asterisk, Open Source and IP PBXes for VARs [ 11:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A quiet revolution continues at Digium, the poster child for Asterisk — the open source IP PBX platform. Many open source companies struggle to line up resellers and solutions providers because, frankly, it’s unclear how to profit from open source. But in Digium’s case, more than 250 partners are banging on the company’s door because Digium really has built a better mouse trap. Here’s the scoop.

Forgive The VAR Guy if he says “I told you so.” Earlier this month he predicted that Asterisk — the open source IP PBX — would win a global distribution deal. He was right. Specific details about the news, involving Digium — one of the top Asterisk companies — emerged today. Here’s the scoop.