Good morning, channel partners. Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter and more to start the final day of 2015.
Actually, today’s update features 11 items for VARs, managed services providers (MSPs), cloud services providers (CSPs) and independent software vendors (ISVs) to sip on…
11. Big Brother vs Bigger Brother?: Microsoft will now warn consumers when it discovers that a government has been trying to hack Outlook.com and other consumer services. The big question: Will Microsoft issue the warning when the hacker is the U.S. government? Hmmm...
10. IT Services for Hospitality Vertical: TeamLogic IT, the technology franchise spanning scores of IT service provider locations, is opening its arms to the Hospitality vertical.
9. Smart Cities and IoT: AT&T will announce a major "smart cities" push at the Consumer Electronics Show 2016. Hmmm... Sort of sounds like IBM... circa 2008 or so.
8. Seriously?: John McAfee, the fugitive presidential candidate and founder of McAfee Software, says he's working on a new security product that he calls a "f---ing game changer." Um...
7. OnPage-ConnectWise Integration: OnPage, an enterprise priority messaging solution, will debut in ConnectWise's online marketplace in January. It sounds like OnPage now has deep integrations with both ConnectWise and LabTech Software -- but check in with the company directly for specific details.
6. Debian, Docker Pioneer Dies: Ian Murdock, known for his work on open source, Debian and Docker, was found dead in his home on Monday. Tributes from across the open source industry are pouring in. Murdock started the Debian project in August 1993, and some folks now dub it the world's Universal Operating System, running on everything from embedded devices to the space station, notes one tribute. The circumstances around Murdock's death apparently involve "increasingly erratic tweets," allegedly from his Twitter account...
5. Video Conferencing Implodes: Remember Lifesize -- the "hot" video conferencing company acquired by Logictech in 2009 for $405 million in cash? Now, Logitech is largely spinning off Lifesize -- selling a 62.5 percent stake in the video conferencing business to three venture capital firms. That 62.5 percent stake raised only $17.5 million, meaning that Lifesize's overall valuation is only about $28 million -- a far cry $405 million that Logitech paid for the business only a few years ago. The takeaway: "Good enough" free video conferencing have gutted Lifesize's market.
4. Blockchain Grows Up: Not familiar with Blockchain and its potential impact on the financial world? Here's an example Blockchain case study involving the Nasdaq stock exchange. Stay tuned for dozens of additional examples in 2016...
3. Datto's Next Move?: Hmmm... maybe we'll share some insights after the New Year...
2. Every Channel Partner Program: Promys, which promotes enterprise PSA (professional services automation) solutions, is the latest company to be listed in ChannelE2E's Partner Program Database. The database is free to all readers. More than 120 companies are now listed. Is yours?
1. Happy New Year: Amy Katz and I wish you all the best in 2016. And we thank you for your readership in 2015. It's a privilege to describe the entrepreneur-to-exit business journey -- and all the detours along the way. And we're thrilled to have you along for the ride. Happy New Year a little early.
More: Read all of our daily 5 Channel Partner Updates. Plus: Subscribe to our daily enewsletter. Thanks to those who already have.
