Technologies

Channel Futures technology categories include analytics, cloud, desktop, data centers, IoT, mobility, networking, open source, RMM/PSA, security, virtualization and voice/connectivity.

Highlights

Cloud AI Is Hot, But Here’s Why You Should Think Twice

Cloud AI is a powerful new phenomenon, but it has clear limitations.

SUSE Dropping OpenStack Cloud to Focus on Core Platforms

To help customers with the transition, SUSE will support existing OpenStack contracts until they...

MSPAlliance Issues New Cyber Risk Rating for Service Providers

The cyber risk rating will likely evolve as the market changes.

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Netgear ProSecure: A Match for Security Resellers?

You’re a networking company with traditional hardware trying to compete during the recession. How do you excite resellers while generating media buzz? In the case of Netgear, the company has launched ProSecure — a line of security appliances tied to a cloud service.

Intel: Building Two Managed Services Empires?

Google. Microsoft. Dell. Managed service providers (MSPs) spend considerable time wondering how those three IT giants will impact their businesses (for better or for worse). But I wonder why MSPs don’t spend far more time tracking another IT giant — Intel Corp. In 2008, Intel evangelized its vPro technology to MSPs. But in 2009 and beyond, I think Intel will shift its MSP initiatives to software in North America and Europe.

F5 Networks, HP ProCurve ONE: Attacking Cisco On All Seven Layers?

Dean Darwin knows how to play an encore. Back at F5 Networks for the second time as channel chief, Darwin today described an expanded F5 relationship with Hewlett-Packard’s ProCurve ONE team. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.

According to a joint F5-HP press release:

Open Source Partner Channels: Critical But Different

Now that we’ve launched The Open Source 50, I’ll help readers to explore, question, and understand how open source is changing the world of partner programs and channels as we know it today — and most importantly how we all adapt and continue to grow. What made a good partner program before may not make […]

36% of Ubuntu Users Seeking Mobile Internet Devices

Canonical’s Ubuntu efforts for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) have yet to pay dividends. However, Ubuntu users continue to express strong interest in MIDs designed to run Ubuntu, according to WorksWithU’s weekly reader poll.

Though hardly scientific, the poll found that:

36 percent of participants “absolutely” intend to buy Ubuntu MIDs

45 percent of participants might be interesting in a MID purchase, depending on features, functions and price

Managed Cloud Services: Build vs. Rent

Should you build your own cloud computing system or simply leverage a third party cloud service? The answer to that question depends on which managed service provider you ask. Terremark, a managed service provider in Miami, built its own cloud in its own datacenters, notes Fredric Paul at bMighty.com. But I have to wonder: How […]

Help Wanted: Contributing Windows 7, Apple and Ubuntu Linux Bloggers

Nine Lives Media Inc. — TheVARguy.com’s parent company — is seeking at least three contributing bloggers who can offer balanced coverage of Microsoft and Windows 7, Apple and Mac OS X, and Canonical’s Ubuntu Linux. Here’s what we’re seeking.

Please read this entire post for details and qualification requirements covering each contributor position.

Three Contributing Blogger Opportunities:

Ubuntu, Windows 7 And Apple Bloggers Wanted

Nine Lives Media Inc. — WorksWithU.com’s parent company — is seeking at least three contributing bloggers who can offer balanced coverage of Microsoft and Windows 7, Apple and Mac OS X, and Canonical’s Ubuntu Linux. Here’s what we’re seeking.

Please read this entire post for details and qualification requirements covering each contributor position.

Three Contributing Blogger Opportunities:

Podcast: Red Hat Discusses Enterprise Linux 5.3

We’re still brainstorming a few ideas related to Ubuntu podcasts. In the meantime, our sister site TheVARguy.com produced this recent podcast interview with Red Hat North American Channel Chief Roger Egan. During the discussion Egan answers six key questions about Red Hat’s partner strategy for the new Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 and JBoss Middleware.

Date Published: January 22, 2009

Key topics covered:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3: What’s new for partners?

SystemTap: What is it any why do Red Hat partners care?

Demand for Windows 7 Beta Less Than Expected?

Microsoft has extended access to the Windows 7 beta by more than two weeks, suggesting that the software giant has not reached its anticipated goal of 2.5 million beta testers. But let’s not weep for the software giant. Here’s why.

Software as a Service Stocks Down 5% In 2009

Our SaaS 20 stock index, which tracks software as a service stocks, is now down more than 5 percent in 2009, having slipped a nominal 1.22 percent for the week ended January 23. Here’s a look at the weekly SaaS winners and losers.

On the upside this past week, SaaS 20 Stock Index winners included:

Providing Good Ubuntu Support

Very few Ubuntu users, at least outside of the enterprise, pay for support. Instead, they turn to various free resources, ranging from IRC channels to the documentation wiki to the official Ubuntu Forums, when they run into trouble. While free support in the Ubuntu world is often

Mark Shuttleworth Strikes the Right Tone On Windows 7

Some people are scratching their heads over recent Windows 7-related comments attributed to Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth. But Shuttleworth’s words provide an important reminder that innovation and competition from Microsoft will help to propel Ubuntu and Linux forward. Skeptical? Read on.

Who Are The World’s Top 100 Managed Service Providers?

Who are the world’s top 100 managed service providers — and what can you learn from them? You can find out if you join us on February 11 at 2:00pm eastern for MSPmentor Live: Meet the World’s Top 100 MSPs. I hope you’ll register now for this truly unique Webcast — where top MSPs are […]

Scott McNealy Dialing President Obama?

The VAR Guy woke up early today and was set to write a blog titled: “What Ever Happened to Scott McNealy?” Sun Microsystems’ former CEO has been awfully quiet lately. Just when The VAR Guy was about to check McNealy’s employment status, a McNealy spotting — involving President Obama — popped up on ZDNet. Here’s the scoop.