Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to start your day for Tuesday, April 9, 2019.
Actually, there are 12 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.
12. Live Blog - Google Cloud Next Conference: Our ongoing news coverage and analysis is here. Send me news tips from the conference ([email protected]).
11. Partner Program: Tripwire has overhauled and expanded its Channel Partner Program worldwide.
10. Microsoft GDPR Compliance: The European Union is investigating whether Microsoft's software contracts comply with GDPR (general data protection regulation), Reuters reports.
9. Layoffs - Call Centers: Concentrix plans to lay off roughly 785 call center works in Tucson Arizona, according to local reports.
8. Talent - Contact Center as a Service: Serenova has named Brandon Knight as senior VP of channel sales.
7, IPO Challenges - Zoom: As Zoom Video Communications prepares for a potential IPO, the video conferencing startup faces a patent lawsuit and questions about its CFO's contact in a previous job, Silicon Valley Business Journal reports.
6. Distribution - Network Security: Tech Data will promote BlueCat's Enterprise DNS platform to network and security teams in the U.S. and Canada. The platform centralizes, processes, and analyzes DNS data to provide organizations with visibility and control capabilities for network security, the companies say.
5. Private Equity - Cloud Service Provider: Beechbrook Capital has invested in Hosted Desktop UK (HDUK). Grant Thorton advised HDUK on the deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
4. Private Equity - IT Consulting: Renovus Capital Partners has acquired majority control of KSM Consulting, a technology services and data analytics consultancy. Indianapolis accounting firm Katz, Sapper & Miller will retain a significant minority ownership in KSMC. Also, KSMC President Mark Caswell shifts to CEO, and the company plans to hire about 30 employees in its Indianapolis headquarters. We'll share more details soon.
3. M&A - MSPs: Logically, an MSP formed from the June 2018 merger of Winxnet and K&R Network Solutions, is exploring additional acquisitions.
2. Partnership - MSP Network Monitoring: Auvik Networks and Cisco Systems are partnering to ensure Auvik's MSP platform can gather warranty and firmware information about Cisco network equipment. It's a key move for both companies. Auvik has gained momentum for multi-vendor network monitoring. Cisco, meanwhile, has been building MSP relationships to push deeper into the SMB market.
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.
