Channel

Microsoft and Ingram Micro deliver new SaaS program to VARs

dblacharski — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:36:17 -0500

Software as a Service got another boost with a new program from Ingram Micro and Microsoft this week, to extend Microsoft's Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) to all of Ingram's solution providers.

Microsoft Morro: Who Wins?

dblacharski — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:36:06 -0500

Last week I wrote about Microsoft's new free anti-virus and anti-malware software product, code-named "Morro", which will replace the subscription-based Windows Live OneCare offering.

Salesforce reports confidence

dblacharski — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:55:58 -0500

It's always educational to see who is making money when everybody else is not. In the retail business for example, dollar stores and discounters are raking it in. Bill collectors are going great guns in the down economy, and purveyors of get-rich-quick schemes are probably doing a little more business than usual these days.

IT Resellers: What Are Your Options?

ComputerConsultingKit — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:25:50 -0500

If you are in the IT business, you probably know there are varying opinions about whether small business computer consultants can be successful as IT resellers. How can you weigh your options and decide what you want to offer?

Will there be a Microsoft smartphone?

dblacharski — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:49:34 -0500

I certainly hope so. Why?

What drives loyalty in a vendor-VAR relationship?

dblacharski — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:11:18 -0500

The 2008 Affinity Index is now available, which rates vendors in different criteria relating to their success in the channel. The question posed is, what drives loyalty?

Upgrades yield small returns for VARs

dblacharski — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:30:42 -0500

The Channel Marker blog makes a very interesting point that I've commented on several times, commenting on the software business' "dirty little secret".

How a PC Repair Shop Gets More Repeat Business with Less Effort

ComputerConsultingKit — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:16:30 -0500

If you run a PC repair shop, you have probably already encountered some major challenges when it comes to selling services to small businesses. And you are probably wondering if there are ways you can maximize your marketing results without taking time away from running other components of your business.

Microsoft Store and distributors

dblacharski — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:02:49 -0500

Yesterday I suggested that the new Microsoft Store won't be a big concern for VARs, who tend to be less concerned about commodity software margins than the actual value-add they provide. Distributors on the other hand, may have different concerns.

Microsoft's new online store

dblacharski — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:00:05 -0500

Microsoft's latest effort at online retailing has elicited reactions from both supporters and detractors, but then, finding fault with Microsoft has become a sort of sport.