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5 Channel Partner Updates: 13 June 2016

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Good morning, channel partners. Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to sip on for Monday, June 13, 2016.

Actually, there are 15 entries for VARs, managed services providers (MSPs), cloud services providers (CSPs) and independent software vendors (ISVs) to sip on. Take a look…

15. Microsoft Buys LinkedIn: Emerging details about the blockbuster $26.2B deal are here.

14. Symantec M&A, CEO: Symantec is buying Blue Coat Systems for $4.65 billion, and Blue Coat CEO Greg Clark will lead the combined companies. Here's everything you need to know.

13. 50 Questions for Entrepreneurs: Here are 50 questions that angel investors will ask entrepreneurs. Even if you're not seeking to raise money, the questions can help you to crystallize your business strategy.

12. Apple-Intel Relationship: Apple's next iPhone will use some chips from Intel, replacing those made by Qualcomm in some versions of the new smartphone, Bloomberg reported. The move comes as Intel struggles to move beyond data center, server and PC chips. The processor maker announced layoffs earlier this year.

11. Apple WWDC: At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference this week, expect a heavy focus on software and services but no new hardware, Forbes predicts. My wish list? An Apple creation that eliminates passwords forever. (Pretty please?)

10. eFolder vs Datto: eFolder is launching a line of on-premises hardware appliances, essentially creating end-to-end business continuity platforms to compete more aggressively against Datto. We'll share more thoughts today.

9. IoT and Personal Privacy: The National Security Agency is researching opportunities to collect foreign intelligence — including the possibility of exploiting internet-connected biomedical devices like pacemakers, according to The Intercept.

8. Fast Food Malware: Wendy's says it's malware problem is larger than original estimates. A May report suggested that fewer than 300 franchised North America locations had been hit. But Wendy's now says an additional 50 locations apparently were victimized by the point of sale (PoS) hack, according to a June 9 statement.

7. VMware Partners: VMware has added five cloud access security broker (CASB) companies to its Mobile Security Alliance. The lineup includes Blue Coat (acquired by Symantec, by the way), CloudLock, Netskope, Palo Alto Networks and Skyhigh Networks. Integrating VMware Workspace™ ONE™ with products from CASB partners can deliver validated solutions that provide security, visibility and control of applications and devices, and secure digital workspaces from the cloud, VMware asserts.

6. Distribution Deal: Ingram Micro has agreed to distribute Awingu's security solutions to U.S. channel partners. Awingu's security offerings protect online workspaces and enterprise mobility.

5. MSP Cloud Partnership: Nxtra Data (a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharti Airtel) and CenturyLink have inked an exclusive partnership to provide hosting and managed IT services to enterprises in India. The deal comes as CenturyLink attempts to sell some or all of its data centers. Hmmm...

4. Physical & Virtual Security M&A: EFS Facilities Services, which delivers facilities management services across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Turkey, has acquired SecurePlus, a UAE-based security services provider established in 2005. The acquisition follows the recent launch of EFS' managed security services division.

3. Data Protection, IT Services M&A: Underground Vaults and Storage Inc. has acquired Concergent IT, a full-service information technology company in Wichita that includes digital storage among its services. Concergent IT has about one dozen employees. Financial terms were not disclosed. Underground Vaults and Storage is a privately held records and information management company established in 1959. It operates three underground and six aboveground secure storage and destruction facilities across four states, including in salt mines below Hutchinson, the companies said.

2. Next Moves: Want to potentially meet ChannelE2E at next week's DattoCon16 or ConnectWise LabTech Automation Nation? Just email me the request: [email protected].

1. Join Us Thursday: Our Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs webcast is this Thursday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT. Register now and join us as we unveil a list of the world's top vertical market MSPs & associated research.

More: Read all of our daily 5 Channel Partner UpdatesPlusSubscribe to our daily enewsletter. Thanks to those who already have.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.