Six Channel Partner Blogs The VAR Guy Didn’t Write: May 28

The VAR Guy didn’t travel this week. But our resident blogger is still running out of gas and running out of time. Here are six channel partner blog entries The VAR Guy didn’t have time to write for the week ending May 28, 2010.

Actually, The VAR Guy owes a tip of the hat to contributing associate blogger David Courbanou for many of the items below, which Courbanou has been tracking.

7. Worth Watching: Xiotech, those application storage specialists, says its two-year-old channel program now has 100 active partners.

6. The Next Level: VMware has introduced a new certification level — VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) for partners and customers specializing in virtualization. You’ll find more details here.

5. Peace of Mind?: The new Symantec Protection Suite Advanced Business Edition, available in Summer 2010, will provide SMBs with  endpoint and messaging security as well as desktop, laptop and server backup and recovery to ensure business continuity, Symantec says. But the company has taken some hits lately for launching more SaaS services that are sold directly to end-customers.

4. Bigger Blue: IBM has launched several new channel investments that include social media tools and focus on IBM’s System x Technology.

3. Microsoft Channel Moves: The latest Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) channel efforts include 23 new MPN competencies and two new subscriptions. For deeper details, visit www.microsoftpartnernetwork.com.

2. Oracle’s Virtual Rally: Oracle Channel Chief Judson Althoff on June 8 will hold an internal Worldwide Alliance and Channel kickoff meeting, The VAR Guy hears. The live video cast will strive to ensure all of Oracle’s channel and alliance employees are using the same game plan when Oracle begins it next fiscal year in June.

1. Check the Headline: The VAR Guy still doesn’t play by the rules. This is a top six list. So there is no number 1. At least not here.

Thanks for reading.

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