Sales and Customer Management
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Feature
28 Apr 2025
Five-minute interview: Marc Botham, Jamf
Marc Botham, general vice-president of channel and alliances at Jamf, shares personal insights into driving growth, building strong partner relationships, and his love for sailing Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2025
Channel catch-up: News in brief
Developments this week at Datatonic, Parallels, Central Technology Group, Cowbell and FiberLocator Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
23 Aug 2019
Channel advice: How to spend the holiday weeks
Staff might be coming and going topping up their tans but there is still plenty that the channel can do both internally and crucially externally with customers Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Feature
15 Aug 2019
Cyber security and the channel
Leading lights in the industry give their assessment of where the cyber security market is headed in the second half of 2019 Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Aug 2019
How to help businesses reach their digital goals
With digital transformation a hot trend in IT right now, the channel’s ability to help organisations hit the sweet spot in this pursuit could attract a lot of attention from potential customers Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Aug 2019
Control or shift – channel’s role in the move to business-led IT
What impact could the shift to business-led IT have on channel partners’ role with customers and the relationships they have grown and developed within customer organisations? Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2019
Digital transformation leadership a problem for users
NTT research has highlighted issues around the expertise of those leading digital transformation efforts and Kyocera has highlighted the need to concentrate on people as well as technology Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
01 Aug 2019
Channel taking steps to improve customer experience
CompTIA has found that resellers are starting to get on board with improving customer experience strategies to remain competitive Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
30 Jul 2019
Cisco increasing channel digital marketing support
Vendor brings together various marketing initiatives under one umbrella to help the channel reach out to customers more effectively Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Feature
29 Jul 2019
Interview: Simon England, Nuvias CEO
With the first quarter of his tenure completed the boss of Nuvias shared his thoughts about his role leading the distributor Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
19 Jul 2019
Ethos Technology building on Pure signing
Distributor has landed a relationship with Pure Storage and is looking to build on that moment over the rest of 2019 Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Feature
15 Jul 2019
Interview: Graeme Watt, CEO of Softcat
Softcat boss talk about office openings, organic growth and why he doesn't lie awake at night worrying about the future of the channel Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
10 Jul 2019
What makes a great managed security service provider?
With an increasingly challenging threat landscape, being a successful MSSP can be a struggle. Making sure customers stay safe is critical to the success of your business, which is why understanding what makes a great MSSP is crucial for you to be able to make informed choices that will prove beneficial to the company Continue Reading
By- Ryan Compagnone, Edgescan
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News
08 Jul 2019
Brexit leading to increased customer caution
CFOs and tech startup entrepreneurs are both showing risk aversion with Brexit the cause of most of the problems Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
05 Jul 2019
Retail driving spending in CX market
There have been examples of the channel gaining customer experience expertise in the past few weeks and no wonder given the IDC growth forecasts for the technology Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
03 Jul 2019
Connect Managed Services and G3 Comms merge
Customer Experience and Unified Comms players bought together to form a £55m revenue business Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
02 Jul 2019
What are the risks of not responding to a critical alarm in time?
When selling management tools, managed service providers need to educate users about the importance of acting on the alarms generated by such equipment Continue Reading
By- Klaus Allion, ANT Telecom
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News
01 Jul 2019
Amazon rolls out Business Prime offering
Etailer continues to enhance the offering for commercial customers with the addition of Business Prime Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
24 Jun 2019
Insight adds muscle on both sides of the Atlantic with PCM buy
Insight has forked out a significant amount to add IT products and services player PCM to the portfolio Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
24 Jun 2019
Why organisations cannot afford to get carried away with contact centre success
To build sustainable success in the contact centre world, you need a strong focus on business goals, incremental business gains, teamwork and a culture based on trust Continue Reading
By- Jeremy Payne, Enghouse Interactive
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News
24 Jun 2019
IoT seen as key revenue and fresh business generator
CompTIA has turned to its emerging technology community to ask what technologies are going to drive opportunities and for the second year IoT has topped the list Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
21 Jun 2019
Shifting business model to benefit from the rise in cloud
Channel partners will need to undergo their own version of digital transformation to take full advantage of the shift to cloud Continue Reading
By- Scott Murphy, Ingram Micro UK
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News
18 Jun 2019
DXC cuts the ribbon on London innovation centre
Firm open to bringing in partners to work on cracking customer digital transformation challenges Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
10 Jun 2019
MSPs told to be wary of the CSP model
A channel event in Canada will resonate with managed service players here who are worried about losing customer relationships Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
10 Jun 2019
How to train channel staff
Having trained staff leads to better growth for your business and is something the channel needs to focus on – but how to go about it? Continue Reading
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News
29 May 2019
HPE adds depth to SME targeted solution
Vendor looking to help SMEs with their digital transformation needs with server, storage and cloud software options Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
20 May 2019
Softcat provides investor cheer with Q3 update
Channel player continues to deliver the goods with an upbeat third quarter trading update Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
13 May 2019
How to make channel sales work
To be effective in channel sales, you have to be a great project manager, able to influence without formal organisational power and operate effectively at every level in an organisation. Read on for advice on how to succeed Continue Reading
By- Marcus Cauchi and David Davies, Sandler Training (UK)
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Opinion
10 May 2019
A bridge too VAR
The expedition from VAR to MSP is not short of challenges but, equipped with the right map, ambitious companies can feel more confident in getting past first base. In the second part of his series, Predatar CEO Alistair Mackenzie takes a closer look at the importance of a strong culture and highlights why marketing should no longer be viewed as an afterthought Continue Reading
By- Alistair Mackenzie, Predatar
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Feature
07 May 2019
GPC 2019: Dell Technologies highlights channel growth
Dell Technologies demonstrates progress with partners while encouraging cross-selling across expansive portfolio Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2019
Channel getting the transformation message
Research from Agilitas IT has found that an increasing number of resellers are going through a transformation process Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Feature
03 May 2019
Channel enjoys a strong start to the year
Just how has this year been going? There is no better way to find out than ask a number of those working in the channel Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
30 Apr 2019
Daisy combines and rebrands channel operation
IT and telco player combines existing channel facing operations into a single entity to make life easier for partners Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
29 Apr 2019
Computacenter gets off to a good start
A trading update for Q1 reveals that the growth it enjoyed last year has continued into 2019 Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
25 Apr 2019
VAR from the madding crowd
Predatar’s CEO reflects on the transformation from VAR to MSP, highlighting some of the key milestones and the obvious pitfalls to avoid Continue Reading
By- Alistair Mackenzie, Predatar
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News
24 Apr 2019
Digital transformation spending flooding across all verticals
IDC is forecasting strong customer investments in digital transformation projects but the channel needs to make sure the focus is on more than just spending on tech Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
23 Apr 2019
SAP users get the chance to rate and compare resellers
A TripAdvisor type system means that customers will be able to click through resellers looking for those with the best skills and ratings Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
17 Apr 2019
Data projects failing thanks to skills shortages
The channel should have a role to play in helping enterprise customers execute data initiatives Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
17 Apr 2019
Channel delivers in Q1 for Aerohive and Veeam
Both firms have reported customer numbers are up in the first quarter and acknowledged the role the channel has played in getting that result Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
04 Apr 2019
Why software patch management matters
When building a business case for software patch management, focus on its ability to protect against malware, ransomware, phishing and other security threats, thereby reducing the risk of downtime Continue Reading
By- Ian van Reenan, Datto
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News
26 Mar 2019
Datto looking to increase MSP sales and marketing support
The managed services specialist has shared its list of attributes that make a world class MSP and indicated that it could provide more help to those looking to increase their sales and marketing activities Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
21 Mar 2019
Incoming Nuvias boss clear on distributor's value
In the run up to his start date of next month the incoming boss at Nuvias already has ideas on what makes a successful distributor Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
19 Mar 2019
Softcat expanding customer base
First half numbers from the channel player indicate that a strategy to widen the customer base is delivering Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
08 Mar 2019
Tech Data CEO looking for the higher value
The distributor is continuing to make its move towards higher value business Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Feature
08 Mar 2019
Adapt for the era of virtual distribution
Virtual distribution – the delivery of subscription services rather than physical products – is a growing IT trend. We consider what this means for channel businesses and how they can remain relevant in this changing IT world Continue Reading
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Opinion
04 Mar 2019
Making the business case to create a successful IoT initiative
The internet of things has the potential to address multiple business objectives, but it is not a miracle technology that will provide business benefit in isolation – true value comes only when the wider challenges are considered across all departments Continue Reading
By- Nick Sacke, Comms365
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News
01 Mar 2019
Those failing to use the channel are missing out on growth
Research from Investec makes it clear that those that fail to use the channel well are losing out on significant amounts of revenue Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
27 Feb 2019
Help us to help you – how the customer-first model helps you empower your business
We are in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution, with technologies such as the internet of things, data analytics, artificial intelligence and cloud-based business management tools a regular talking point. But technology alone won’t solve productivity bottlenecks and open new avenues for growth. There is a bigger picture that cannot be ignored – it starts with the customer Continue Reading
By- Thomas Honoré, Columbus
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News
25 Feb 2019
SMEs failing to embrace innovation
The channel ill need to do a lot of hand holding to help more SMEs embrace some of the latest technological innovations Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
14 Feb 2019
Channel has to do more to help SMEs with IoT and AI
Cloud Industry Forum and Ingram Micro Cloud urge resellers to do more to help users overcome hurdles holding back emerging tech adoption Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
12 Feb 2019
Fear of failure a digital transformation barrier
KCOM has taken a closer look at what is holding back customer innovation Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
01 Feb 2019
Fear of hard Brexit sparking SME exodus
More firms are looking at relocation as a way of avoiding the worst effects of a hard Brexit Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
- 01 Feb 2019
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Opinion
30 Jan 2019
What has the channel ever done for digital transformation?
How the channel can play an important role in the drive for digital transformation Continue Reading
By- Karl Roe, Nuvias Group
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News
29 Jan 2019
Dell calls for more digital transformation progress
The vendor has revealed the findings of global research into the progress in the adoption of digital transformation Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
28 Jan 2019
Brexit is hitting IT spending
Research confirms what many in the channel had already experienced with customers hitting the pause button on IT projects Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
17 Jan 2019
Channelling the cloud – building healthy CSP relationships
Creating a successful relationship with cloud service providers is essential for channel partners looking to increase their cloud portfolio. iLand 's director of channel sales has five tips to make the most of the opportunity Continue Reading
By- Stuart Day, Iland
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News
14 Jan 2019
Channel taking steps to remain relevant
A report from Agilitias IT Solutions looking into the channel's efforts to remain relevant has some encouraging findings Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
04 Jan 2019
The channel opportunities in 2019
There are plenty of areas that should excite the channel as the year kicks off Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Jan 2019
Insight 2019 technology predictions
Michael Guggemos, CIO of Insight, shares his thoughts about what will be the key issues for the channel in the months ahead Continue Reading
By- Michael Guggemos, CIO of Insight
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News
20 Dec 2018
2018 review: The main channel themes
With the last days of December drawing near it's time to look back at the year that has passed before we do it all over again in 2019 Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
19 Dec 2018
SonicWall increasing local partner support across EMEA
More offices plus extra hires have added depth to the security player's presence across EMEA Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
17 Dec 2018
Spectrami aiming to fill VAD gap
The relatively fresh player to the UK market is aiming to provide some of the value added services that it believes larger rivals are missing Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
03 Dec 2018
Sabio looks East for latest acquisition
Customer experience player makes a second purchase this year adding both technology and a wider geographical footprint Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
27 Nov 2018
Spectrami latest to join list of UK VADs
The UAE based channel player is looking to ramp up its activity across Europe with an independent operation opening in the UK Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
09 Nov 2018
Distribution set for a solid year as growth continues through Q3
A market analysis of how distribution across Europe has fared in Q3 from Context indicates that it has all been good so far in 2018 Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
09 Nov 2018
Enhancing the role of the channel essential for the tech industry
Ben Boswell, Vice President for Europe at World Wide Technology (WWT), discusses how vendors and the channel need to work together to ensure outstanding outcomes for customers Continue Reading
By- Ben Boswell, Vice President for Europe at World Wide Technology
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News
07 Nov 2018
Tech must be a force for good
VMware CEO shares his belief that the industry has a responsibility to use technology as a positive force in society Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
02 Nov 2018
Customers want more automation and better data
A global Cisco study has found that customers looking to innovate need to take the pressure off the IT budget by getting better at predicting where problems might occur Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
31 Oct 2018
Microsoft sounds AI warning
Those customers that do not take an interest in artificial intelligence face losing ground and missing out on the benefits Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
15 Oct 2018
Exertis plugs Hoover into electricals operation
Plans to grow its position in the small domestic appliance market have been given a boost with the signing of household name Hoover Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
15 Oct 2018
Spiceworks: Europe leads in emerging tech
Europe adopting emerging tech in response to GDPR and rising cybersecurity threats Continue Reading
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News
12 Oct 2018
Services the key to fending off the Amazon Business threat
The retail giant might hoover up the transactional business but those resellers that can provide services will have more chances of retaining customers Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
12 Oct 2018
Lenovo pledges to fix channel process issues
The vendor came in for some criticism at the Canalys Channels Forum but responded by vowing to fix the problems in the next six months Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Feature
10 Oct 2018
Channel tensions rising
Competition and strained vendor relationships highlighted as concerns at Canalys Channel Forum Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
09 Oct 2018
Online retailers posing threat to distribution
Fears about the likes of Amazon eating into channel revenues are well-grounded according to Context research Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
08 Oct 2018
Brexit could hit enterprise investment plans
Deloitte's latest quarterly quizzing of the CFO community makes sobering reading for those hoping that the good times will keep rolling Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
05 Oct 2018
PRM a tool to identify next gen partners
Gut feelings might have helped channel managers make decisions in the past but technology should make it easier and more precise Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
24 Sep 2018
Nadella calls for more 'tech intensity'
It's an idea that the channel will have little argument with, that customers need to adopt and build the latest technology Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
19 Sep 2018
Could YouView save our home from surveillance marketing by the Big Browser brigade
The IoT-connected home is becoming a location for commercial opportunities for the channel finds Nick Booth Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2018
Clear Licensing Campaign turns the focus on maintenance contracts
Customers are often paying maintenance without giving it much thought and as a result could be spending too much Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
06 Sep 2018
Looking overseas through Brexit tinted glasses
The idea that UK resellers want to expand internationally caught the interest of Billy MacInnes who found that Brexit was having an impact on those dreams Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2018
Computacenter expands European footprint with Misco buy
Misco's operation in the Netherlands becomes part of the Computacenter family after the UK player expands its European reach even further Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
22 Aug 2018
The hidden costs of doing business with vendors
Technology is starting to shed light on more of the mechanics of how the channel works with vendors and Nick Booth finds out about one of the latest offerings Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2018
Vendors under pressure to generate better channel data
The information that a lot of vendors have around rebate, MDF and marketing programmes is nowhere near as good as it should be Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
08 Aug 2018
Users feel restricted by vendor contracts and tech choices
There seems to be a gap between the vendor ambitions to make everything simple and what is happening on the ground Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
01 Aug 2018
SMEs changing the bundles approach
Bundles have often been a bit hit and miss but thanks to the need to cater them for SME customers things are improving Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 Jul 2018
Who wants to be number one?
Vendors have an obsession with being number one in their market but is it really that important wonders Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jul 2018
Agony aunt as a service
Impartner’s chief marketing officer Dave R Taylor has some helpful advice for those trying to increase and improve their partner communities Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Jul 2018
Coming back to the channel: why it’s time to rethink reselling
Neil Robertson, CEO of Compleat Software, shares the motivation for the firm's re-engagement with the channel Continue Reading
By- Neil Robertson, CEO of Compleat Software
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News
06 Jul 2018
Keeping up with pace of IT change a growing problem for customers
Digital transformation might be the aim but getting there is not proving to be easy and that should spell a major opportunity for the channel Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
- 05 Jul 2018
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News
03 Jul 2018
Automation a major focus at UKFast
UKFast has created a chief technology officer role to ensure it can continue to automate more processes across its business Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
03 Jul 2018
Quadient and Quertum working on CX opportunity
Growth in the customer experience market means that those providing the tools for banks and utilities to communicate with users are experiencing healthy market conditions Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
29 Jun 2018
Maintel picks up Atos contracts
The managed services specialist has spent millions to acquire Atos contracts Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
11 Jun 2018
Impartner strengthens partner relationship management portfolio
The PRM specialist has made an acquisition that will give it more muscle in the social media space Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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E-Zine
04 Jun 2018
MicroScope: Focus on film
In this issue, we look at how video marketing can help companies capture customers' attention, as well as the challenges of a multi-cloud world and a focus on Dell's desire to make business easier Continue Reading
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News
23 May 2018
Vendor service needs to improve
Firms quizzed by Cogeco Peer 1 have expressed frustration with the level of service currently being offered by vendors Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
16 May 2018
PA Consulting adds Sparkler to the mix
Acquisition will strengthen the digital and brand strategy side of the business Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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News
14 May 2018
Brighter steals a march with managedservices,co.uk launch
Brighter Connections has cut the ribbon on a website designed to have a national appeal Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
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Opinion
14 May 2018
The bland leading the bland
Maybe technology has a role to play in helping customers find out what a solution can really deliver argues Nick Booth Continue Reading
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News
02 May 2018
Poor websites costing resellers customers
Plenty of resellers have yet to get their digital presence up to scratch and that could cost them business Continue Reading
By- Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor