5 Channel Partner Updates: Monday 01 April 2019 -

Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to start your day for Monday, April 1, 2019. Actually, there are 20 timely updates designed for managed services providers (MSPs), cloud services providers (CSPs), IT consulting firms, systems integrators, VARs, independent software vendors (ISVs), and telco agents to sip on. 20. Reality Check - Uber, Lyft and More: How much money are "on demand" companies like Uber, Lyft, WeWork and others losing per year? Here's the potentially ugly reality check... 19. Distribution - Network Management: Ingram Micro has agreed to distribute Ipswitch's file transfer and network management software in the UK region. The companies announced a similar Middle East region partnership in November 2018. 18. MSP - Microsoft Azure: Fujitsu is now a global Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Services Provider (MSP). Related: The Top 100 public cloud MSPs are listed here. 17. Layoffs - Citrix Systems: Here are the details. 16. Layoffs - Intel: The move includes consolidating outsourced IT contracts. 15. Talent - IBM to Xerox: Former IBM Watson and cloud executive Anne Marie Squeo has joined Xerox as VP and chief communications and brand officer, a newly created position. 14. Talent - Small Business Administration: SBA leader Linda McMahon has stepped down to become the chair of the pro-Trump America First organizations. We're tracking the SBA for potential news about a successor. 13. Talent - McAfee: Channel advocate Fernando Quintero has exited McAfee after 17 years, he confirmed in a LinkedIn update. Quintero most recently was VP and GM of Latin Americas. Earlier, he was VP of channel sales for the Americas. We'll be tracking his next potential move...

12. Talent - Data Protection: Axcient has hired Ingram Micro veteran Gina Thompson as VP of worldwide channels and distribution. She succeeds Jason Bystrak, who joined D&H Distributing in January 2019. Axcient provides data protection solutions and services for MSPs. Webroot veteran David Bennett was named CEO in February 2019. 11. Talent - MSP Software: ConnectWise veteran Mark Sokol has joined Liongard as VP of marketing. He joins former ConnectWise Chief Revenue Officer Adam Slutskin at the fast-growing MSP software provider. Liongard's flagship product, Roar, essentially allows MSPs to automate various business and technology tasks. Continue to page two of two for today's items 10 to 1. Welcome to page two of two, featuring items 10 to 1. 10. Help Desk Chatbot - ServiceNow Meets Facebook: Workplace, Facebook’s enterprise collaboration and communication application, and ServiceNow announced a new chatbot to make it easier for employees to navigate a company’s help desks inside Workplace Chat, TechCrunch notes. 9. M&A - ServiceNow Partner Acquired: GrowthOps is acquiring Brisbane-based ServiceNow implementation partner Entrago, which has about 19 staff and only launched in 2018. 8. M&A - Management Buyout: Members of Workforce Insight’s leadership team acquired the company from Baird Capital, which no longer has a stake in the firm, Staffing Industry reports. Workforce Insight provides strategic workforce management consulting, analytics and managed services. When Baird Capital acquired the firm in 2014, Workforce Insight had served more than 225 customers, including 12 Fortune 100 organizations by aligning labor with business demand and supporting compliance with government regulations and labor contracts. 7. M&A - IT Outsourcing: Calligo has acquired Connected Technologies Inc., a Canadian specialist in outsourced IT and cloud services. 6. M&A - Copier and Printer Dealer Acquisitions: Ubeo Business Services, backed by private equity firm Sentinel Capital Partners, has acquired multiple printer and copier dealers in recent months The targets include Ray Morgan Co., PrintRX LLC, Braswell Office Systems Inc., Core Business Solutions and CopyZone, according to The San Antonio Business Journal. 5. Private Equity - Load Balancing: Mill Point Capital has invested in Kemp Technologies, a provider of load balancer and application delivery controller solutions and services. 4. Ingram Micro for Sale?: The rumor from December 2018 might be surfacing again -- if you listen closely enough... 3. Startup Funding - Women of Color: Tennis Champion Serena Williams is backing Bumble Fund, an investment fund that backs diverse, female-led startups. 2. SMB Health Insurance: A federal judge has struck down a small-business health insurance plan widely touted by President Donald Trump, the second setback in a week for the administration’s health care initiatives, The Associated Press reports. 1. Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs 2019: We'll unveil the complete list -- yes, all honorees -- and associated research during our April webcast. Register now to join us.