5 things

5 Channel Partner Updates: 16 Feb 2016

Good morning, channel partners. Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to sip on for Tuesday, February 16, 2016.

Actually, there are an eye-popping 18 items for VARs, managed services providers (MSPs), cloud services providers (CSPs) and independent software vendors (ISVs) to sip on…

Tim FitzGerald
Tim FitzGerald

18. What Comes After the Cloud?: In the case of Avnet, the answer likely involves digital transformation. A case in point: Tim FitzGerald's title has shifted from VP of Cloud to VP of Digital Transformation. We've reached out to FitzGerald seeking more info.

17. What Is IBM's Next Big Technology Bet?: At first glance, the answer is Spark -- the big data software platform. But take a closer look and you'll hear quite a bit about IBM emphasizing Bitcoin ledger technology for the financial services market -- and perhaps more. Hmmm...

16. ConnectWise Down Under: ConnectWise is launching events in Australia and New Zealand to attract more MSPs and IT service providers onto the company's suite of business software. The move comes after ConnectWise announced a new COO and key milestones in Europe. The company is based in Tampa, Fla.

15. Tech IPO Deep Freeze: It's chilly outside -- particularly on Wall Street -- where Tech IPOs have shifted from a winter chill to a deep freeze, according to Reuters. In addition to the lack of IPOs, the other big concern -- at least for entrepreneurs -- involves falling valuations...

14. Still In the PC Market: Toshiba is denying rumors that it plans to pull out of the PC market. Hmmm... If a tree doesn't fall in a forest...

13. An MSP-Driven Comeback?: FalconStor, the storage company that fell on hard times after an accounting scandal back in 2008-2009, claims to be on the rebound and empowering MSPs with a key new technology. Hmmm... We'll get more clues about the alleged comeback when earnings arrive later today.

12. So Much for SDN Disruption: Software-defined Networking (SDN) was supposed to disrupt traditional networking companies. Instead, it sounds like large enterprises are turning to established vendors like Cisco Systems for their SDN needs, a new survey finds.

11. Hello, SAP HANA: A new cloud-based service helps SAP users gear up for HANA -- the in-memory database that's popular for big data projects. SAP an HANA. Separately, ChannelE2E recently interviewed several of SAP's channel leaders. We'll share details soon...

10. Sounds Familiar: AT&T is telling employees that they must master cloud services and other digital technologies, or risk becoming antiquated.  But as we've pointed out, big telcos have struggled to master public cloud services in particular...

9. Cloud Spending: Roughly 90 percent of enterprises plan to increase or at least maintain their annual cloud spending for 2016. What about the other 10 percent? I suspect they have bigger challenges than itemizing a cloud budget...

8. Government Cloud Security: IBM Cloud Services are now certified at the highest security level with the U.S. Department of Defense. In fact, IBM is the first cloud provider with a direct connection to the DoD's internal network known as the Nonsecure Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet). Hmmm... Is it really wise for IBM and the DoD to be discussing the direct connection publicly?

7. Salary Revolt: After HSBC said it would offer no salary increases for 2016, employees revolted. The protest forced HSBC to backtrack and the global bank will now offer some raises in 2016. Ya gotta wonder: Is this a sign of things to come for additional companies?

6. Big MSP Push: NTT Communications is accelerating a global managed services push. The company's parent also is negotiating to buy Perot Systems from Dell, according to several reports. Sort of makes you wonder if NTT will become a household name for IT and managed services in the U.S.

5. VMware to Docker: If you grew up managing VMware deployments, there may be a new path to managing Docker containers. Check out ContainerX -- which claims to allow any VMware vCenter administrator to become a Docker administrator...

4. Lenovo Acquisitions:  Lenovo apparently plans to buy up more companies. The moves will be designed to transform Lenovo into an enterprise IT business in the U.S. ... The company suffered big setbacks last quarter as PC sales tanked.

3. Small Business Wealth Creation: So, how do small business owners get wealthy? The path to wealth for small business owners and entrepreneurs often involves some key choices, notes The New York Times. We'll share more thoughts on that article soon...

Ginni Rometty, formerly CEO, IBM

2. IBM PartnerWorld: We'll be blogging live from IBM PartnerWorld 2016 for the next two days. Check the ChannelE2E homepage for ongoing daily updates. Plus: Live coverage of IBM CEO Ginni Rometty's keynote.

1. Attention Top MSPs: Celebrate your success. Complete the Top Vertical Market MSPs survey and your business could be honored as one of the world's top MSPs working in healthcare, financial services, retail, government and other verticals.

More: Read all of our daily 5 Channel Partner UpdatesPlus: Subscribe to our daily enewsletter. Thanks to those who already have.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.