Good morning, channel partners. Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to sip on for Wednesday, February 17, 2016.
Actually, there are 13 items for VARs, managed services providers (MSPs), cloud services providers (CSPs) and independent software vendors (ISVs) to sip on…
13. XtremIO for Partners: Still trying to wrap your arms around all-flash array technology? Josh Goldstein, VP of marketing and product management at XtremIO, explains the market and partner opportunities in ChannelE2E Podcast 062. He also describes how XtremIO fits in the broader EMC partner program.
12. Apple Fights iPhone Unlock Order: Apple is pushing back against a Judge's order to unlock an iPhone used by a suspect in the San Bernardino attack. While Apple says it respects the government's need to fight and investigate terrorism, the company is fighting the unlock request because it could ultimately trigger the end of consumer privacy on iPhones.
11. Google IoT Challenges: Perhaps the Internet of Things will rule the world, but will Google rule IoT? In the consumer market the answer is decidedly unclear. Indeed, it sounds like Google NEST is facing a range of corporate culture, management and technical challenges, according to a deeply researched Business Insider article. Lots of folks are waiting to see how the battle between Google NEST and Apple HomeKit shapes up. But I keep pointing readers back to the industrial IoT opportunity. We'll share more news on that later today.
10. New Partner Program: Mojo Networks has launched its new partner program, Mojo Force, for its WiFi networking partners. Keep an eye on a growing relationship with Ingram Micro as well.
9. Office 365 and MSPs: BitTitan has launched two new products that expand its MSPComplete Service pillar. The offerings are called Concierge and MissionControl for Office 365. A growing list of companies has been introducing Office 365 management tools for MSPs. Many of the major RMM (remote monitoring and management) providers now have such tools in place.
8. Ransomware Emergency: The drama continues for a Hollywood-area hospital, which is suffering from a ransomware hack. The attackers are demanding 9,000 bitcoin -- or about $3.7 million. The hack has locked up/shut down one or more databases at the hospital, forcing doctors and emerging works to shift to fax, pen and paper for many tasks... The FBI is investigating the attack...
7. Missing the Bigger Rackspace Story: Wall Street remains obsessed with Rackspace's weaker-than-expected 2016 revenue forecast. But the bigger story for MSPs involves Rackspace milestones on Amazon Web Services. Amid a managed services land grab out in the cloud, Rackspace says it now manages 100 AWS customers. Next up: Regional MSPs must decide how they can manage AWS and Azure workloads without looking like a me-too Rackspace offering.
6. That's Research?: Deutsche Bank and Gartner say cloud computing could be pressuring major on-premises IT purchases, especially hardware deals that involve multi-year deployments. Hmmm... Thanks for the 2010 news tip...
5. World War III Will Be Digital: The United States was planning a cyber attack on Iran if recent diplomatic negotiations suffered a meltdown. The attack apparently would have darkened Iraq's communications and electric infrastructure. Hmmm... Sort of makes you want to run out and buy a home generator...
4. Aging Demographic: Pat Benatar is set to perform at IBM PartnerWorld here in Orlando. Hey, I grew up listening to Benatar, too. But the gig shows IBM's partner ecosystem is aging (like me). Of the 1,400 partners here, most are middle-aged men. And a few of us know who Neil Giraldo is. Millennials aren't a target demographic here... but perhaps they should be for PartnerWorld 2017...
3. Avnet: Keep a close eye on the distributor today (Wed, Feb. 17). New milestones coming with a major IT company...
2. Top MSPs: Let's assume you've built a successful MSP. Now, it's time to earn some free publicity for that success. Participate in our Top Vertical Market MSPs survey, and your business could be honored as a top MSP in a specific vertical market.
1. Live From IBM PartnerWorld: Check ChannelE2E throughout today for ongoing updates from IBM PartnerWorld. Oh, and here's a recap of CEO Ginni Rometty's keynote from Tuesday.
More: Read all of our daily 5 Channel Partner Updates. Plus: Subscribe to our daily enewsletter. Thanks to those who already have.
