https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Cloud


Tech Data TDCloud, TDMobility: Killer Cloud Services Combo?

  • Written by samdizzy
  • January 14, 2013
Over time, watch for the Tech Data TDCloud and TDMobility initiatives to gain more synergies, offering VARs and MSPs end-to-end mobile and cloud services that extend from tablets and smartphones to hosted applications.

Tech Data (NASDAQ: TECD) has separate mobile and cloud services initiatives for VARs and MSPs. But over time you’ll see more and more synergies between TDMobility and TDCloud. The result: Channel partners could gain end-to-end capabilities for sourcing and managing tablet, smarthphone and cloud services.

Tech Data’s secret sauce is StreamOne — a home-grown software platform upon which the distributor is launching a range of channel partner services. Bharath Natarajan, director of TDCloud, played a key role in developing the StreamOne vision.

Inflection Point

When introducing cloud and mobile services to channel partners, distributors must decide whether to (A) build sourcing and procurement systems on their own or (B) leverage third-party software platforms. In some cases, distributors and telcos are running their cloud services stores atop platforms like Parallels or Jamcracker. In Tech Data’s case, the company chose to write its own code while also investing in software from SAP, I believe.

TDCloud already runs atop the StreamOne platform. And over time, it sounds to me like TDMobility will increasingly leverage StreamOne. (That could already be the case; I need to double-check.)

Increased Synergies

The net long-term result: Imagine an online environment where VARs and MSPs can source and activate tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices for customers. Then, with a few more clicks, the channel partners can activate cloud services — hosted email, cloud storage, etc. — and apps that extend out across those devices.

That’s the long-term reality Natarajan and Tech Data are striving to deliver. 

Near-term, Natarajan is urging MSPs and VARs to focus on end-customer education. During a Tech Data TDCloud conference last week near Tampa, Fla., he avoided the temptation to hype TDCloud — stating that the platform continues to evolve with more enhancements coming.

Instead, Natarajan spent most of his stage time describing a four-part cloud playbook for channel partners. That playbook covers everything from (1) cloud enablement to (2) people and expertise, (3) vendor readiness and enablement and (4) customer enablement.

Competition Looms

Of course, Tech Data faces plenty of competition from rival distributors that are building out cloud and mobile services. Among the distributor initiatives worth watching: Arrow Cloud Services, Avnet Cloud Solutions, Ingram Micro Cloud and Synnex CloudSolv.

Ingram Micro, for one, will update its cloud strategy during an Ingram Micro Cloud Summit scheduled for April 7-10 in Phoenix, Ariz. It’s one of our Top 100 Channel Partner Conferences worth watching for 2013.

Tech Data, meanwhile, continues to research the market as well. Natarajan has been on the road investigating emerging cloud services at major third-party conferences. That research will continue this year. 

 

 

 

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Cloud Leadership

Related


  • Gift, Present, Reward
    AppGate Partners Gain New Accretive Rewards Program
    Participants in this new program will be eligible for a range of rewards.
  • Pride Flag
    Exertis Continues Calls for Diversity with LGBTQ+ Discussion
    Distributor Exertis discussed the benefits of an inclusive workplace as part of LGBTQ+ History Month.
  • CP-Expo-Logo-1050x618 web
    Channel Partners Virtual 2021 Is Here — Take Advantage of the Amazing Content
    Some of the industry's most compelling speakers are poised to take the virtual stage at this week's event.
  • Communications satellite in space
    IBM Leans on Partners to Bring Cloud Satellite Services to Life
    Big Blue took the much-anticipated hybrid cloud platform out of beta on March 1.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Palo Alto Networks Rolls Out Latest NextWave Partner Program
  • Data Protection Providers Arcserve, StorageCraft Agree to Merge
  • OneLogin Hires Juniper Networks Vet to Lead Accelerate Partner Program
  • Fortinet Vet Geoff Kreiling Departs for Deep Instinct

Galleries

View all

From The Second City: How to Use Improv as a Business Tool

March 3, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

Multi-Cloud: Strategy or Inevitable Outcome? (or both?)

March 3, 2021

Backup Vulnerability: 4 Targets Hackers Might Utilize to Infiltrate Your Backup Solution

March 2, 2021

The “Roaring 20s” Are Coming

February 25, 2021

Webinars

View all

A Partner’s Perspective on Channel Success in 2021

March 23, 2021

XDR and Why it Matters to MSPs

March 24, 2021

Top Security Trends Impacting Technology Security Providers In 2021

March 25, 2021

White Papers

View all

Why Fortinet for my MSSP?

March 2, 2021

Small and Mid-Size Business Security: 4 Steps to Success

March 2, 2021

How SMBs Can Secure Endpoints and Remote Workers for the Long Haul

March 2, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Kelly Leonard of @SecondCity talks to us about how improv can be used as a business tool to improve the company cul… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

Another amazing day at #CPVirtual. Here's what you missed and what's on tap for Day 3. @Channel_Expo… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

Learn how @VMWare can help you build and deliver a #multicloud strategy. #hybridcloud #cloud #AWS… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

Learn about the merging of our media websites; plus, a new #MSP Summit this fall. @Channel_Expo… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@KnowBe4 acquires @MediaPROInc to beef up #cybersecurity training. dlvr.it/RtvdpB https://t.co/FzseCn4K6A

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

#COVID19 is ramping up #socialengineering – time for MSSPs to step in. @Electric_AI dlvr.it/RtvRQc https://t.co/ebTJNJcOxz

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@pluribusnet launches expanded, simplified partner program. #SDN dlvr.it/RtvGtQ https://t.co/bRDqYLEhXJ

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

#SupplyChain agility is changing global distribution patterns and #ictservices, says @NeecoICT.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 3, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X