Topics Archive

Mitel channel alerted to Unify cross-sell opportunities

Once the deal closes, the trigger can be pulled on taking advantage of a wider portfolio of technologies and services Continue Reading

MDR resonating as an option with both channel and customers

One area tipped for growth by analysts and vendors is managed detection and response – the challenge for partners is to keep on top of training and vendor relationships Continue Reading

Mitel's move for Unify will bolster UC pitch for its channel

With both Mitel and Unify using the channel, the consequences of a tie-up should benefit a wide number of partners Continue Reading

Channel seen as route to growth for iplicit and Sycope

Vendors iplicit and Sycope look to partners as a way to help drive growth in the UK and extend their market reach Continue Reading

Arrow gets the nod from Lenovo to take on TruScale

Distributor Arrow will deliver Lenovo’s infrastructure-as-a-service offering globally, adding it onto the list of products available on its cloud platform Continue Reading

SMEs upping security investment in face of growing threats

Research from Datto has provided an update on attitudes across the customer base, and findings from S-RM has underlined ongoing problems developing in-house expertise Continue Reading

Bulk of security sales will go through the channel

Forecasts from Canalys around the prospects for the year ahead make it clear partners have a crucial role to play in delivering security technology Continue Reading

Five-minute interview: Armin Neumaier, Cisco ThousandEyes

The latest to share an insight into their career and life is the head of partner and channel sales EMEA at Cisco ThousandEyes, Armin Neumaier Continue Reading

Dell: More needs to be done to solve IT skills challenge

Vendor reveals research looking into attitudes of Generation Z towards improving levels of digital skills Continue Reading

Why a Microsoft 365 security assessment is good for business

Jason Rothwell, solutions architect at Littlefish, believes the auditing process delivers some positives for customers Continue Reading

Abacus Group moving to become MSSP with Gotham buy

Managed service player wants to become known for security, and has made an acquisition to support that ambition Continue Reading

Intechnica embraces fresh owner and Version 1 makes double swoop

Consolidation in the channel continues at pace with three deals being announced within the past 24 hours Continue Reading

Canon extends Business Centre network

Print player cuts the ribbon on two centres established with platinum partners to increase services for customers Continue Reading

Vectra stepping up partner enablement

The detection and response specialist has been focusing on channel recruitment and is now moving into the next stage of enabling those partners to increase growth Continue Reading

Channel roundup: Who’s gone where?

Some household names, including IBM and RM, were among those recruiting fresh talent in the past week Continue Reading

December slowdown undermined Q4

The past few weeks of the year had an impact on the performance of distributors across Western Europe Continue Reading

The channel is key to plugging cyber skills gap

If there is going to be one theme that continues from year to year, it is the desire by customers to work with channel partners to help solve security problems Continue Reading

Thirdera and Aptum use acquisition to bolster reach and skills

Firms go into M&A market to support ambitions, with both deals having implications for the UK channel Continue Reading

Eccleston looking for growth at Exclusive Networks

The recently installed UKI managing director views the market as one presenting opportunity for the business to grow Continue Reading

Channel marketers looking to work more closely together

Collaboration seen as a key way for marketers to improve their ability to deal with key issues emerging in 2023 Continue Reading

Mid-market customers evaluating cloud options

Research from MSP Node4 has indicated that users are starting to question their strategy in the face of inflationary pressures and budget limitations Continue Reading

PC market struggles in 2022 but future positivity remains

Canalys has shared its analysis of the fourth quarter and the full year, with it clear that although times are challenging now, there are reasons why that should change Continue Reading

Aliter Capital seals move for ITM Communications

Networking and managed services player is snapped up as Aliter looks to bolster its market position Continue Reading

TD Synnex and Arrow bolster security options

Distributors TD Synnex and Arrow actively increasing support and vendor options for channel cyber security specialists Continue Reading

Channel roundup: Who's gone where?

A fresh year starts in familiar fashion with a set of staff moves across the industry Continue Reading

What makes a good partner incentive programme?

Everyone reacts to incentives, but they need to be well thought through, and some programmes are better than others. Continue Reading

Can ChatGPT revolutionise cyber security – for good and bad?

AI tools are getting more commonly used, but Neil Langridge, marketing and alliances director at e92plus, wonders if that’s a positive Continue Reading

Channel themes for the year ahead

A fresh year is upon us and it’s already clear what most of the major themes will be, with security, sustainability and hybrid working firmly on the radar. Continue Reading

MicroScope: Channel themes for 2023

In this month’s ezine, we provide a guide to the main areas of focus for the channel in the year ahead, with security, sustainability and hybrid working already standing out as major themes. We also look at what makes a good partner incentive programme. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

2023: Multi-cloud, NaaS, sustainability and the IT skills gap top the agenda

Sherifa Hady, EMEA channel vice-president at HPE Aruba, shares her thoughts on the prospects for the year ahead Continue Reading

Do you delight or alienate your customers?

Are you doing the best to please your customers? David Tebbut shares some thoughts on the subject Continue Reading

‘More with less’ the mantra for the year ahead

The channel is expecting customers to lean on them to deliver more IT with less impact on the budget in the face of economic headwinds Continue Reading

Goodbye 2022, hello 2023: experts weigh in with channel expectations

The year is just a few days old, so it’s a good moment to look back and ponder on what lies ahead given the experiences of the past 12 months Continue Reading

IBM launches enhanced partner programme

IBM looks to reward those backing its vision by making work quicker and life easier for the channel Continue Reading

AWS channel boss views partners as critical to strategy

Public cloud giant recently wrapped up its annual Re:Invent event with the spotlight shining brightly on its channel activities Continue Reading

Just how much can technology do for us?

There is a debate about just how far IT can go to improve life, but as Billy MacInnes muses, it does sometimes deliver what the public wants Continue Reading

SCC adds Azure migration to its areas of expertise

Channel player continues to invest in its relationship with Microsoft and gain more expertise Continue Reading

The themes of 2023 for the channel

A fresh year is looming and it’s already clear what most of the major themes will be, including security, sustainability and hybrid working Continue Reading

Need to be green stretching across the industry

It’s clear that sustainability is going to be one of the key areas the channel and IT vendors will need to focus on next year Continue Reading

Users look to channel to plug cyber skills gap

The channel is already seen as a repository of security expertise, and the pressure to deliver that is only set to increase in 2023 Continue Reading

Zero-trust market has matured over 2022

Zero trust has been used regularly in security conversations and has been making a difference to both channel partners and customers Continue Reading

IGEL deepens relationship with HP

Thin client specialist promised channel its alliance strategy would add more options and its latest move underlines that ambition Continue Reading

Wib signals channel-building intentions

Security player continues with its plans to build a partner network to support growth ambitions across EMEA Continue Reading

Nutanix refreshes referral programme to cover all aspects of buying cycle

Vendor is keen to make sure no one misses out with latest changes to its partner reward programme Continue Reading

Poor data quality is undermining chance of gaining insights

Research signals to those in the channel with a handle on data analytics that there is an opportunity in the market Continue Reading

Secureworks embarks on channel-first approach

Security player is determined to put its business through partners and is putting the pieces in place to support that ambition Continue Reading

TD Synnex adds more finance options with Flexscription

Distributor launches flexible finance options at a time when customers are focusing on budgets Continue Reading

Five-minute interview: Charles Damerell, SolarWinds

This time around, MicroScope speaks to the senior director of UK and Ireland at SolarWinds Charles Damerell about what makes him tick Continue Reading

HPE adds private cloud to GreenLake

Vendor continues to add functionality and compatibility to its as-a-service portfolio at a time when customers are looking for help managing their data Continue Reading

Air IT and Nexer Group active on M&A front

Firm Air IT continues to show its determination to use M&A as a way of bolstering its position in the UK managed services market Continue Reading

Incentives are a complementary activity

Having investigated the current attitudes to incentives across the channel, Billy MacInnes shares some more thoughts on the issue Continue Reading

What makes a good partner incentive programme?

Everyone reacts to incentives, but they need to be thought through – and some programmes are better than others Continue Reading

MSPs report user cloud shift is rising

Research from Kaseya quizzing managed service providers has shone a light on the accelerated movement of workloads to the cloud Continue Reading

Logicalis CEO: Sustainability is non-negotiable

The future of the planet is uncertain, but more efforts are being made across the channel to ensure the IT industry is taking positive steps to improve the situation Continue Reading

Panzura and XtndNet need partners to fight for justice

A couple of vendors with good intentions are looking to build up their channels Continue Reading

NFON increasing channel support

Vendor has seen its IT partner levels increase and has a fresh portal and products that will support resellers Continue Reading

MicroScope: Dealing with rising prices

With prices rising, many are looking at what costs to cut – yet in the channel, the opposite might prove for better business. In this issue, read about how to navigate the cost issue, learn about the growing area of security, and learn about how to create a more appealing employment experience to attract talent Continue Reading

Tech skills problems continue

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Threat hunting for MSPs

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Prices are rising and maybe that’s not so bad

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Westcon-Comstor on its journey to decarbonise

Distributor has invested in its ESG team and is committed to making a positive difference Continue Reading

Ignition holding on to identity post-Exclusive acquisition

A year and a half on from the deal, the distributor is finding that life has remained positive under fresh ownership Continue Reading

Channel cranking up GreenLake sales for HPE

Firm reveals the impact partners have made around its as a service portfolio as it shares its fourth-quarter numbers Continue Reading

Brother and Epson giving channel more business print options

Vendors add more business printers to their ranges and look to channel to start selling to customers Continue Reading

RM slims down with MIS sale

Education player continues to review the business as it looks to put itself in a position to support schools Continue Reading

Westcon-Comstor adds security depth with Okta

Distributor Westcon-Comstor adds more zero-trust capabilities to its portfolio with latest vendor signing Continue Reading

Nokia channel chief flags private wireless opportunities

The time is right for those pitching the technology, as more customers start to see the benefits and the channel begins generating successful case studies Continue Reading

Bechtle expands UK footprint with ACS buy

Firm gains greater geographical coverage and access to more managed service skills with acquisition Continue Reading

Softcat trading statement adds to positive market vibes

Channel player updates markets on its fiscal first quarter with little sign that the recession is having an impact Continue Reading

MicroScope at 40: The collapse of civilisation, time travel, and things that did not happen

Long time MicroScope contributor Nick Booth looks back over the history of the magazine and ponders on which expectations failed to be realised Continue Reading

Channel roundup: Who’s gone where?

The weekly roundup of some of the personnel moves that have a channel element to them Continue Reading

SysGroup acquisitions deliver in H1 2022

Managed service player has seen immediate benefits from the deals it struck earlier this year Continue Reading

Distribution finishing out the year with growth

Forecasts from Context show the channel ending 2022 with growth, but there are warnings of a bumpier ride in the year ahead Continue Reading

IGEL pulls plug on thin client hardware

Firm will focus on software going forward as it reveals it will no longer sell hardware from the end of the first quarter of 2023 Continue Reading

EvolveODM and Redcentric use acquisitions to fuel growth

Channel players have both been active in the M&A market as they look to add further customers and services to their portfolio Continue Reading

WithSecure focus on commercial making life easier for partners

Security player has seen positives since it launched fresh branding and a focused approach to the market Continue Reading

Dynatrace tips application monitoring as a channel opportunity

Even with competition in the cloud space, the need for the channel to play a role there has continued to rise Continue Reading

AdEPT continues managed services transition

Firm’s first-half numbers show a further move away from the traditional telephony market Continue Reading

TD SYNNEX: Security and services driving growth

Distributor shares research that shines a light on the current state of the European channel Continue Reading

Change at the top of Insight EMEA

Emma de Sousa calls time on her long association with the channel player, and a replacement has been named Continue Reading

Automation and improved service the focus for ConnectWise

Firm uses its Nation Connect event to underline is vision of the challenges being faced across the IT service provider sphere Continue Reading

SoftwareONE marks a year since HeleCloud move

Firm wanted the deal to boost its position in the AWS market and that ambition is well on the way to being achieved Continue Reading

Five-minute interview: Helen Kelisky, Google Cloud

This time around, MicroScope finds out a little bit more about Helen Kelisky, managing director for Google Cloud in the UK and Ireland Continue Reading

Cisco supporting partners with digital marketing shift

Vendor shares numbers that underline the positive impact of its Lifecycle Advantage programme Continue Reading

Tech skills problems continue

It's a problems as old as the hills, but the pressure on skilled technical staff continues to cause headaches across the channel Continue Reading

Exclusive Networks delivers strong Q3

Distributor shows growth and increased cloud sales activity as it marks a year since its IPO Continue Reading

Codestone and OSF Digital hit the acquisition trail

Firms look to bolster skills, expertise and geographic reach with latest purchases Continue Reading

SCC Academy launched to boost digital skills across Midlands

Channel player invests in training hub to give thousands the chance to gain digital skills Continue Reading

Channel round-up: Who’s gone where?

A round-up of some of the notable personnel moves made across the industry in the past week Continue Reading

Prices are rising and maybe that’s not so bad

Life is getting more expensive and many will look to cut costs and reduce prices where possible – but in the channel it might be OK to do the reverse Continue Reading

11:11 makes double acquisition to bolster market position

Move for Sungard Availability Services’ Recovery Services business and Sungard AS’s Cloud and Managed Services business adds to a growing number of deals struck this year Continue Reading

Softcat shines light on customer spending priorities

Security tops the list of areas where users will invest in the next 12 months Continue Reading

MicroScope: Elevate security to minimise risk

Security remains a major concern for customers and a continuing area of growth for the channel – so what can managed service providers do to help out? Also read about expectations for the last quarter of 2022 and how partnerships are key to digital transformation Continue Reading

Powering strong partnerships for successful digital transformation

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May the fourth be with you: entering the final quarter with cautious optimism

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Can MSPs get cyber security ‘right’ for SMEs?

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Currency issues affect Insight EMEA performance

Q3 numbers show further signs that the business is pivoting towards a software and services driven business Continue Reading

Cisco rolls out fresh partner specialisations

Focus is on providing the channel with the opportunity to provide the support customers are searching for Continue Reading

Cynet, Palo Alto and Noname Security enhance partner support

Vendors Cynet, Palo Alto and Noname Security are using programmes and training to keep momentum going across their respective channel bases Continue Reading

SCC sets out £300m M&A war chest

Channel player makes it clear that it is going to be dipping into the acquisition market in the next few years Continue Reading