The VAR Guy

There is considerable talk about virtualization in the PC market right now, especially around servers. Because virtualization is an abstract concept, end customers may be reluctant to realize its benefits. But with a 60 percent return on investment achievable over four years, virtualization should be a new opportunity on the radar of customers and partners. Here’s why.

Sure, customers across most market segments are cutting back their IT spending. With increased competition for this smaller opportunity, it is a critical time for technology resellers to focus on their core competencies. Many resellers traditionally specializing in hardware sales, including PCs, have diversified their offerings to include services like remote monitoring and software as a service (SaaS).  Other resellers are trying to define a niche in Managed Services and Consulting practices. Here’s how you can keep your profits flowing.

Novell expects to name a new channel chief by the end of this week or sometime next week, according to Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer John Dragoon. There’s also some good news on the SUSE Linux front. Here’s the scoop, from The VAR Guy.

Lenovo is leaping from the desktop into the server market, and will launch its first Linux and Windows servers this September, The VAR Guy has learned. Here’s why solutions providers — and rivals like Dell and Hewlett-Packard — should care.