Good morning, channel partners. Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to start your day for Wednesday, June 28, 2017.
Actually, there are eight updates for VARs, managed services providers (MSPs), cloud services providers (CSPs), independent software vendors (ISVs), telco master agents and telco agents to sip on. Take a look…
8. IPO - Network Performance: Ethernity Networks (AIM: ENET.L), a data network processing technology company, has launched an IPO on the London Stock Exchange. Ethernity develops data network processing technology used in high end carrier Ethernet applications across the telecom, mobile, security and data center markets.
7. Hybrid Cloud Strategy: Nutanix is positioning its hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) software for use across multi-cloud deployments, including on-premises with platforms from IBM, Dell EMC, Lenovo, Cisco and HPE, in the cloud via AWS, Google Cloud Platform and MicrosoftAzure, or natively with Nutanix Xi Cloud Services. The strategy -- which involves Nutanix Calm and Xi Cloud Services that deliver One-click Operations -- apparently impressed Wall Street appears to like the strategy.
6. Laptops on Flights: Homeland Security officials announced stricter passenger screening and other tougher security measures Wednesday for all commercial flights entering the United States, but said they would not bar laptop computers and e-readers in carry-on luggage as airlines had feared, according to the LA Times. However, the Trump administration on Wednesday threatened to ban laptops and other large electronic devices from any international flight coming to the United States unless the airline meets new security checks, including enhanced airport screening and improved passenger vetting, Recode added.
5. SD-WAN Momentum: Cincinnati Bell’s CBTS unit is adding 20 to 30 new SD-WAN and network as a service (NaaS) customers, and the monthly figures are expected to accelerate, according to Fierce Telecom. SD-WANs
4. Staples Acquired: Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm, is acquiring Staples for $6.9 billion. Staples' core business remains under attack by cloud services and online retailers. The U.S. government blocked Staples' proposed merger with Office Depot last year, and the company also abandoned an MSP strategy back in 2014.
3. Home IT Support: Calix has launched a support cloud service to "reinvent" connected home and mobile support for consumers. The service includes a range of remote monitoring and management (RMM) capabilities. We'll share more details by Friday.
2. Distribution - ConnectWise: Arrow Electronics has agreed to distribute ConnectWise Manage (PSA software) and ConnectWise Automate (RMM software, formerly called LabTech). ConnectWise already has various relationships with a few Arrow rivals -- including Ingram Micro and Tech Data.
1. Kaspersky Lab Ban?: U.S. senators sought on Wednesday to ban Moscow-based cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab's products from use by the military because of fears the company is vulnerable to "Russian government influence," a day after the FBI interviewed several of its U.S. employees as part of a probe into its operations, Reuters reported. We'll share more thoughts soon on MSSP Alert.
