Opinion
Opinion
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Confusion in the cloud
The IT industry is awash with jargon and acronyms – BYOD, CYOD, COPE, PaaS, IaaS, SaaS, … the list goes on and now there is an new one according to Adam Davison from Cloud Distribution Continue Reading
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Garth Brooks highlights the limits of technology
The ticketing mess left after country music legend Garth Brooks cancelled his concerts is one that Billy MacInnes thinks would even fox the smartest IT Continue Reading
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Hardware support needs fixing up
Providers of technology maintenance and support services need to deliver more streamlined and connected services if they are to survive, writes Glyn Doddin Continue Reading
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Going commando on the sales pitch
Billy MacInnes wonders just what makes a decent channel sales pitch Continue Reading
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Time to avoid gut instinct
Making decisions just on your git instinct might not be the right way to seal channel partnerships finds Nick Booth Continue Reading
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The costs of failing to provide training
Overlooking training can have some pretty major implications as Billy MacInnes discovers Continue Reading
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At last, it’s the automated channel
Soon robots will run the channel, thanks to the UK Technology Strategy Board’s Robotics Mission finds Nick Booth Continue Reading
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HP putting its bets on The Machine
HP used the appropriate backdrop of Las Vegas to provide Billy MacInnes and other partners with hints of where it its placing its R&D bets Continue Reading
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To the mesosphere and beyond
Nick Booth finds that the secret to banishing the fail whale could be Mesos Continue Reading
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The backlash over Snowden could hurt US firms
Those countries looking for an excuse to boost their own tech activities and criticise the US might use Snowden for those ends finds Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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Why channel developers must care about the community
Mark Armstrong, managing director of EMEA, Progress, looks at why developers need to embrace social communities to keep their competitive edge Continue Reading
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If only all IT companies were as imaginative as Optoma when telling their stories
Nick Booth thinks it might be a bit more fun if companies cut all the waffle and told their stories with a bit more imagination Continue Reading
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Implementing the Government Security Classifications Policy
Government departments and their suppliers need to change how their assets are classified going forward under the GSCP says Louise Dunne managing director of Auriga Continue Reading
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Managing North of the border
How many channel firms have country managers for Scotland and could that situation change with a yes vote for independence wonders Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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Time for the channel to keep the language simple
The channel might like to use its own terms to describe technology and processes but Billy MacInnes suggests that plain English might be a better idea Continue Reading
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Is there always opportunity with risk?
With security threats proclaimed as opportunities for resellers Billy MacInnes wonders if there is not an attitude problem around risk Continue Reading
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Unlocking the mobile identity potential of smartphones
Could the humble smartphone spell the end of keys and swipe cards? Ian Lowe from HID Global says disruptive innovation could be a strong play in the channel Continue Reading
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Reports of tape’s death have been greatly exaggerated
Steve Mackey from Spectra Logic says the demise of tape is nothing more than a viral myth, and urges the channel to rethink its approach Continue Reading
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Tap reseller opportunities in the storage market
Resellers targeting storage sales this year must think about performance, reliability and functionality at all costs, says Qsan's Bartek Mytnik Continue Reading
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Channel checklist: building the ideal network
James Arnold Roberts of Genius Networks identifies some of the hurdles that resellers will need to overcome to ensure they provide the customer with the ideal networking solution Continue Reading
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What does Mozilla's CEO step down reveal about free speech?
The decision by the CEO of Mozilla to step down raises some interesting points about free speech argues Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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The channel must value variety in its big data strategies
Mark Armstrong, managing director of EMEA, Progress, asks if the industry is focusing on the wrong aspects of big data Continue Reading
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Hardware-defined security? Now that’s original
Nick Booth argues that technology always been software-defined and suggests that surely hardware-defined would be true innovation Continue Reading
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The cloud takes the green tint off SAP
The shift by users towards the cloud has also pushed the responsibility for emissions away from the user causing SAP a few problems finds Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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Why isn’t the channel using SAM data to secure R&D tax credits?
Ahead of chancellor George Osborne’s 19 March Budget, Jelle Wijndelts, senior SAM consultant, Snow Software says a better comprehension of software asset management could ease business tax burdens Continue Reading
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A seismic shift is about to hit the SAN
VMware says VSAN will simplify storage in the virtual environment. If this is simplifying things, what happens when they try to make things hard? Nick Booth takes the temperature among VMware-watchers Continue Reading
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Who is really failing to understand the industry term?
The failure by some people to understand technology terms might produce some hilarious results but as Billy MacInnes wonders who is really failing to grasp the language? Continue Reading
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To compete with Olympics, talk app management, not bandwidth
Ipanema’s Bruce Hunter argues that pushing investment in bandwidth is not necessarily worthwhile when it comes to helping networks cope with high-demand events such as the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi Continue Reading
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How the Internet of Things could wreck your cloud
Nick Booth reckons there could be a high cost to the growth of wearable, connected devices Continue Reading
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Why you should upgrade storage, not replace it
Chris James from Virtual Instruments and Warren Reid from Dot Hill argue that there are far more opportunities for both resellers and customers in upgrading, rather than replacing, storage Continue Reading
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When data becomes a natural resource
With the CEO of IBM talking about data being a natural resource Billy MacInnes wonders just when technology started to rival air and water Continue Reading
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How CEOs work with the channel
Stuart Fenton, former Insight president and technologist, knows about the importance of a boss when it comes to working with the channel and shares his thoughts about how that relationship can work Continue Reading
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Distree 2014: gambling on emerging technology
Distree in Monte Carlo is the perfect place to forge a long distance relationship with a new tech vendor. Just be careful who you hop into bed with, says Nick Booth Continue Reading
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Landing a winner with the sporty staffer
It's not just wicket keepers that the channel could start recruiting and Billy MacInnes has some other suggestions Continue Reading
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New world of opportunities heralds fresh challenges for the network
The internet of things will bring enormous benefits, but organisations must have the right foundations, writes Nick Itta Continue Reading
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Information versus experience
Peter Tanner, CEO of Boomerang, has noted an increase in communication by channel firms but wonders if more information equals a good user experience Continue Reading
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Develop anywhere, deploy everywhere
Mark Armstrong, managing director of EMEA, Progress, looks at the new rules of application development in the channel Continue Reading
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Making things simple is someone else’s complexity
Billy MacInnes advises resellers to get closer to those running the lines of business with budget Continue Reading
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This season's wearable trends for the reseller about town
As London Fashion Week approaches, wearable computing is the hottest look in town, and Nick Booth thinks its absolutely fabulous Continue Reading
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Reseller view: channel challenges in 2014
Sabio director Adam Faulkner talks about some of the challenges facing the channel in this year and argues that the time has come for action when it comes to some pressing issues Continue Reading
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IBM is starting to wrestle with its hardware problems
In the week it revealed in its latest results that hardware sales were poor and then sold off its x86 server business to Lenovo, Billy MacInnes takes a look at IBM's hardware strategy Continue Reading
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BETT 2014 report – must do BETTer!
Disappointingly, nobody rang a bell to summon us to lessons at BETT. Nick Booth asks if this is because, for all the technical wizardry, some of the exhibitors aren’t very creative? Continue Reading
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Data – the lifeblood of a business
David Ellis, director of technology and services, ComputerLinks, looks at the importance of protecting data Continue Reading
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Welcome the Channel Dragons
Although not too much of a fan of Dragons' Den, Billy MacInnes welcomes the channel version because of its focus on the two-tier world Continue Reading
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What's in store for storage in the year ahead?
Federica Monsone, director at A3 Communications, finds out from her clients just what they think will happen in the world of storage in 2014 Continue Reading
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The internet of dumb, nasty things is on the way
Machines – we can’t live without them, but they’re about to gang up on us and do us in. Nick Booth is worried Continue Reading
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Android adds to the desktop confusion
Trying to work out just where the PC market is hard enough but gets even more confusing, finds Billy MacInnes, once you add Android into the mix Continue Reading
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BYOD: driving agile working
Phil Jones from Brother UK highlights the channel opportunity to help customers invest in flexible IT and agile business practices Continue Reading
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Gain customer trust with data security management
Martin Sugden, CEO at data protection specialist Boldon James, shares some tips on how the channel can up its game around data protection to gain customer trust Continue Reading
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Being approximate might just be good enough
There is an obsession with using computer technology to get the right answer but Billy MacInnes is interested in the idea of getting close enough Continue Reading
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Navigating the Cloud: Why SAM is more important than ever
Julian Swan, director, compliance marketing EMEA at the BSA explains what cloud means for software asset management Continue Reading
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Isn’t it time the IT industry’s evangelists learned to mind their language?
Nick Booth finds that our techies could learn a lot from our decent English speaking contemporaries across the channel Continue Reading
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System builders could be the comeback kings
With AMD reporting that the UK system builder market is undergoing a revival Billy MacInnes looks for other comeback comparisons Continue Reading
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Searching in the shadows for IT spending
With CEB research showing a hefty chunk of money being spent on IT is coming from outside the CIO's control Billy MacInnes thinks it's time to go hunting in the shadows Continue Reading
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Is the channel ready for “next generation” business intelligence users?
Tony Bray, MD of Intuitive Business Intelligence, explores how resellers can spot and convert new BI buyers and capitalise on the predicted $17.1bn BI opportunity Continue Reading
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How to keep it confidential in the cloud
Nick Booth says the channel needs to step in to help out businesses that have unwittingly lost control of their intellectual property Continue Reading
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A balancing act: Accelerating growth through vendor and reseller relations
As the UK economy shows signs of recovery, robust channel relationships are becoming more important to help sustain growth, says Epson UK business manager John Kelly Continue Reading
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Arming retailers to tackle showrooming
Enzo Capobianco, retail market development manager EMEA at Honeywell Scanning & Mobility, talks about how the channel can arm small businesses to counter the impact of online retail channels Continue Reading
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The irony in Cisco's dip in form
Cisco blamed the spying scandal for hitting its recent numbers but wasn't it meant to be Huawei that was the networking vendor suspected of espionage asks Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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The midmarket is a ripe opportunity – but where’s the ROI?
While the economic forecast is still one of low growth that does not necessarily mean low opportunity. Avaya's Michelle Jones explores how the channel can crack an underserved market Continue Reading
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Can Twitter really be worth more than $24bn?
As Twitter shares start trading Billy MacInnes wonders if the social media firm really is worth its valuation Continue Reading
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Why risk your job over dodgy software?
Following a FAST report into attitudes to illegal software use, on Billy MacInnes asks if it's really much of a surprise that few people are prepared to blow the whistle and risk their job? Continue Reading
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Deliver the full 4G package
M7 managing director Neil Cornish calls for MSPs and operators to exploit the full potential for innovation presented by the advent of 4G networks Continue Reading
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The secret of a successful IT outsourcing relationship
Ashish Gupta, SVP and head of EMEA infrastructure at HCL Technologies, shares his thoughts on the underpinnings of a successful outsourcing engagement Continue Reading
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The evolution of managed print: improving efficiency at the core
Danny Molhoek, GM of Lexmark UK and Ireland, talks about how the managed print services market is repositioning itself as a core driver of efficiencies at the business core Continue Reading
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Should we all wear jumpers to save energy bills?
The government has advised people to wear jumpers to keep warm and reduce energy costs and Billy MacInnes wonders if the advice would work in the channel Continue Reading
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Storage may be boring - but it matters and makes money
Fujitsu’s Craig Parker says we should remember that storage performance is vitally important to the performance of virtualised datacentres. Continue Reading
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Computer 2000 finds its time for a name change
Billy MacInnes ponders on why it has taken Computer 2000 so long to change its name to the same as its parent Tech Data Continue Reading
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Risky recovery: Gambling with DR during the recession
James Carnie from MSP Adapt explains why when it comes to disaster recovery policies, the channel needs to strike a balance between over-caution and over-spending Continue Reading
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Innovation is futile unless the customer comes first
Comms-care marketing director Richard Eglon says that however innovative your business may be, it doesn't mean a thing if you can't deliver on your customer service promises Continue Reading
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Scale-out NAS on the verge of greater adoption
Scale-out NAS, once affordable only to large enterprises, is poised for adoption by midsized firms needing flexibility, data control and reduced storage spending, says Overland Storage’s Joe Disher Continue Reading
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The revolution will be televised: watch it later on catch up IPTV
Nick Booth says it’s time for the channel to rise up and take control of the CCTV market Continue Reading
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What percentage of indirect sales is the right level?
With the revelation Red Hat has reached 70% channel sales Billy MacInnes wonders just what level of mix between direct and indirect business is ideal Continue Reading
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Heavy clouds need optimising for ISV growth
Neil Cornish, managing director, M7 Managed Services, insists it is time for hosted providers to come clean, move away from inappropriate technologies and embrace dedicated cloud appliances Continue Reading
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Why better storage management could benefit humanity
Universities and hospitals are home to the lost tribes of academia - mysterious cultures from whom we could learn so much, if only the barriers could be broken down. Nick Booth meets Figshare, a company that wants to do just that Continue Reading
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The push and pull of sales
Billy MacInnes shares some thoughts on marketing spurred on by Gartner's findings that the personal touch still matters in the B2B world Continue Reading
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Channel beware: permanent data destruction is harder than it looks
Secure data erasure should be part of public sector security strategies but the channel should beware: permanent data destruction is harder than it looks, says Kroll Ontrack’s Moradeyo Komolafe Continue Reading
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How Britain hamstrung its datacentre dream
The biggest threat to the future of the datacentre could be British obsession with regulation, argues Nick Booth Continue Reading
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Wearable tech: a business challenge, a channel opportunity
Ipswitch UK channel manager Stephen Demianyk takes a look at the advent of wearable technology, and reveals how the channel can get in on the ground floor Continue Reading
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Failing to switch off
Firms might be enjoying staff working more flexibly but many of those employees are finding it hard to switch off, finds Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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How to sell cloud email security
Graham O'Reilly, CEO at EveryCloud Technologies reveals some reseller best practice when it comes to selling cloud security Continue Reading
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Keep an eye on top level domain name chancers
Will ICANN’s new top level domains be safe? Don’t .bank on it, says Nick Booth Continue Reading
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Don't answer that email you've just clocked off
Billy MacInnes wonders what lessons the German Labour Ministry attitude towards work email might has for the rest of us Continue Reading
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Act now to save your customers from BYOD bills
The channel can make a killing when customers find out how much unchecked BYOD is going to cost them, says Nick Booth Continue Reading
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Time for artificial intelligence to make life easier
Andrew Anderson, CEO of Celaton, believes that it's time for resellers to embrace artificial intelligence and stop fearing the technology Continue Reading
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Microsoft is more than just one man
Billy MacInnes points out that those hoping Steve Ballmer's decision to retire will mark a sea change at the company should remember it's a firm of more than just one man Continue Reading
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HR technology can benefit staff and the business bottom line
Bridget Stidworthy, customer services director, Chorus HR, talks about how a little investment in human resources technology can help you improve your social reputation Continue Reading
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Removing obstacles to business critical big data applications
Paul Coates, regional vice-president (UK & South Africa) at Riverbed Technology, shares his view on how to address legitimate security concerns around big data Continue Reading
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The great cloud computing scandal
New research from Rackspace prompts Nick Booth to take a good look at why some companies seem to be overstating how committed they are to the cloud Continue Reading
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In the world of cloud services, let VARs be VARs
John Zanni, vice president of service provider marketing and alliances at Parallels, tells us why he thinks a back-to-basics approach will help the channel win more SME cloud business Continue Reading
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So tired of waiting for technology
Technology forces the average Brit to waste 24 working days a year, according to a survey by Crucial. Nick Booth says it’s up to the channel to manage expectations more realistically Continue Reading
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The old channel conflict chestnut is still a hot issue
After all these years and talk of 100% channel commitment you would think there would be no more channel conflict out there wouldn't you? So did Billy MacInnes until he looked at the figures Continue Reading
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Is channel conflict an inevitable result of innovation?
Recent CompTIA research looked into the thorny issue of channel conflict with Vaughan Shayler, director, channel strategy, sharing the findings Continue Reading
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Navigating through choppy waters
Sinking companies like 2e2 can take others down with them, but Voyager seems to have navigated its way out of danger finds Nick Booth Continue Reading
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A modern take on the Jevons Paradox
Billy MacInnes is finding out that software defined datacentres might help with consumption but wonders if it will work out quite how the industry expects Continue Reading
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Keeping it simple with cloud apps
Nick Booth discovers in a chat with Insight that resellers can help make life a lot easier for customers with cloud apps Continue Reading
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The value of a good reputation: CompTIA business credentials demonstrate quality service
In business, a good reputation can be difficult to earn and hard to quantify. But demonstrating that reputation to clients and new prospects is key to winning new business, argues Vaughan Shayler Continue Reading
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The real cost of sound that the channel can't ignore
Graeme Harrison, executive vice president of marketing at audio specialist Biamp Systems, talks about the opportunities the channel is missing Continue Reading
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IT is not the silver bullet for mid-sized firm productivity
Recent research has showed that a better use of IT can help mid-sized firms become more productive but as Billy MacInnes argues so can some other things Continue Reading
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Attacking the cyber security opportunity
Cloud Distribution’s Adam Davison calls for the channel’s help in bringing bleeding-edge security vendors to wider attention Continue Reading