Good morning, channel partners. Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to start your day for Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
Actually, there are 15 updates for VARs, managed services providers (MSPs), cloud services providers (CSPs), independent software vendors (ISVs), telco master agents and telco agents to sip on.
15. IBM Evolves Partner Strategy: Despite the growth of cloud services, IBM's latest quarterly revenues fell short of Wall Street's expectations. Shares fell roughly 5 percent overnight on the news. But the bigger news: IBM has been evolving its partnerships to focus on intellectual property. We'll share more details soon.
14. H-1B Visa Debate: The Trump administration says past H-1B Visa policies have limited American jobs, hence a push to change those policies. But some critics say H-1B Visas are not limiting American job creation and retention. Recode summarizes the H-1B Visa program debate in these five charts...
13. Microsoft Office Encore?: Microsoft has acquired Intentional Software. In a vaguely worded blog, Microsoft said the deal will help the company to improve its productivity tools. Intentional's executive team worked on Word and Excel earlier in their careers...
12. Docker Container Management: Rancher Labs has partnered with Docker to integrate Docker Enterprise Edition (Docker EE) Basic into its Rancher container management platform. Stayed tuned for more news from DockerCon 2017 on ChannelE2E later today...
11. Global Outsourcing 100: Here's a list of the world's top 100 outsourcing advisors for 2017, according to the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals...
10. Managed WiFi Services: Barcelona WiFi, one of the largest citywide WiFi deployments in Europe, has expanded to offer service in 1,003 city buses. The WiFi system, built atop Aptilio Networks' Service Management Platform (SMP), now includes more than 1,000 outdoor and indoor access points.
9. AWS Cloud Compliance: CloudCheckr has integrated with Allgress, an AWS-certified platform that provides compliance controls mapping for NIST 800-53, PCI DSS, HIPAA and other standards. The integration enables CloudCheckr customers to managing the compliance and cybersecurity of their AWS cloud in one unified view.
8. Verizon & Microsoft Azure Storage: Verizon Digital Media Services plans to make Microsoft Azure storage available to all Verizon Digital Media Services Edgecast Content Delivery Network (CDN) users...
7. Microsoft Azure & MSPs: Connectria Hosting has launched TRIA, a managed service for Microsoft Azure. It includes NOC, SOC and cost management services.
6. Multi-Cloud Management: IDC says five companies -- Cirba, Datadog, Embotics, RightScale and Turbonomic – have emerged as multi-cloud management innovators. The lists overlooks a few dozen rival options... but it's at least a starting point for partners who are exploring multi-cloud management strategies.
5. IoT Conference: IoT Community has confirmed plans for IoT Slam Live 2017, a conference covering the Internet of Things. It's set for June 2017. Related: Check the ChannelE2E Technology Event Calendar for all partner events and summits.
4. IoT Management: Sierra Monitor Corp. has launched BACnet Explorer NG, a network discovery and management solution for industrial IoT networks. We'll share more details soon.
3. Veeam Growth: Veeam's bookings grew 33 percent in Q1 2017, and the company continues to add about 4,000 new customers per month. Veeam's DRaaS and cloud backup services generated 59 percent growth in Q1 2017 vs. Q1 2016, the company said. We'll share more analysis soon. Related: The VeeamOn 2017 conference is set for May.
2. PSA and Salesforce.com: When it comes to professional services automation (PSA) integrated with Salesforce.com, I often think of FinancialForce. But here's a timely reminder that Kimble also makes PSA for Salesforce... Related: While we're on the topic, here are 20 PSA options and alternatives for VARs and MSPs, and 10 PSA trends for 2017.
1. Join Us: We'll unveil the Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs & associated research during our April 27 webcast. Register now.
