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• Where to find gigs in artificial intelligence consulting

  From AI analytics to AIOps, consulting opportunities in the fast-growing artificial intelligence technology sector could spark new business for IT service providers. Continue Reading

• Solve IT recruiting challenges with nontraditional candidates

  If you're a channel firm faced with recruiting challenges, perhaps it's time to look outside the traditional talent pool. That's the advice of partner executives who are adopting innovative ... Continue Reading

• Tech skills gap gives rise to IT apprenticeship programs

  In the highly competitive tech labor market, channel partners are formalizing IT apprenticeship programs to cultivate the next generation of IT talent. Continue Reading

• IT channel M&A: First steps for selling a company

  Ready to sell your channel business? M&A veterans Arlin Sorensen and Michael Corey offer their advice on how to get your ducks in a row and protect your interests. Continue Reading

• How to sell your channel partner business to the right buyer

  Experts discuss the first steps of the M&A process, which includes identifying and qualifying potential buyers. Here's advice on negotiating the best deal. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • What is OEM (original equipment manufacturer)?
  • What is a cloud service provider?
  • What is a request for proposal (RFP)?
  • managed service provider (MSP)

  • What is sales motion?
  • What is Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN)?
  • What is hardware as a service (HaaS)?
  • What is professional services automation (PSA)?

  View All Definitions

• Mainframe technology investments spur channel opportunities

  Mainframe systems provide a potential target for modernization initiatives, as well as an area of focus for channel partners with the right skills.Continue Reading

• Unified communications market sees demand for customized offerings

  Channel partners can use unified communications APIs to help customers simplify business workflows. Learn about this niche opportunity and what trends will shape the market.Continue Reading

• IT consultant

  A consultant is an experienced individual in a given field who provides expert advice for a fee. Consultants typically work as independent contractors and are hired on a short-term basis. A consultant may also be an employee at a consulting firm.Continue Reading

• sales lead

  A sales lead is a potential sales contact, individual or organization that expresses an interest in your goods or services.Continue Reading

• channel partner

  A channel partner is a person or organization that provides services or sells products on behalf of a software, hardware, networking or cloud services vendor. Value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators (SIs), consultants, managed service ...Continue Reading

• 2019 channel partner events to mark on your calendar

  When making 2019 travel plans, refer to this list of channel-focused events and conferences hosted by IT vendors, distributors, industry organizations and vendors that cater to VARs and MSPs.Continue Reading

• Tactics for selling MSP backup services

  A sales approach that illustrates the potential of ransomware threats to disrupt small business operations could help managed service providers sell backup and recovery offerings.Continue Reading

• Ensure a smooth M&A process with these channel partner tips

  From approaching an acquisition target to dealing with snags at the eleventh hour, M&As are intensive journeys. Experts share their top considerations when buying channel firms.Continue Reading

• systems integrator

  A systems integrator is an individual or business that builds computing systems for clients by combining hardware, software, networking and storage products from multiple vendors.Continue Reading

• break/fix

  For IT services companies, break/fix is a method of providing IT support to customers. Services are generally fee-based and rely on a customer contacting the IT services company when repairs and upgrades are needed.Continue Reading

• Managed security services market beckons as SMB attacks grow

  MSPs must revamp their business models and security approaches to keep up with modern SMB threats. Get insight into the MSSP market and top security tools.Continue Reading

• hosted services

  Hosted services are applications, IT infrastructure components or functions that organizations access from external service providers, typically through an internet connection.Continue Reading

• Blockchain: Oil and gas emerges as consulting market

  Blockchain opportunities in the oil and gas sector are beginning to surface, attracting the attention of consulting firms and integrators such as Accenture, Deloitte and Quisitive.Continue Reading

• ISV (independent software vendor)

  An ISV (independent software vendor) makes and sells software products that run on one or more computer hardware or operating system (OS) platforms.Continue Reading

• deal registration

  Deal registration is a common feature of vendors' channel partner programs in which a channel partner, such as a value-added reseller (VAR), informs the vendor about a sales lead.Continue Reading

• VMware Partner Network

  The VMware Partner Network is a global channel partner program with benefits and support to provide VMware's virtualization and cloud technology.Continue Reading

• market development funds (MDF)

  Market development funds (MDF) are a resource that a vendor grants to its indirect sales channel partners to help the channel with sales and marketing programs.Continue Reading

• 4 tips for MSPs building a cloud backup services business

  Getting started as a cloud-based backup services business requires a grasp of the target market, a solid mix of backup vendors and a sound pricing formula.Continue Reading

• How to develop IT services for healthcare vertical opportunities

  When it comes to vertical markets, healthcare offers a wealth of opportunities for MSPs. IT services providers share tips for building a healthcare-focused practice.Continue Reading

• Cloud storage resellers, MSPs take on latest storage trends

  Channel partners face an array of storage options. Cloud storage resellers and MSPs must deal with hyper-converged products, online storage offerings and flash technology.Continue Reading

• channel strategy

  A channel strategy is a vendor's plan for moving a product or a service through the chain of commerce to the end customer.Continue Reading

• partner program

  A partner program, which may also be referred to as channel partner program or alliance program, is a business strategy that vendors develop to encourage others to work with the vendor and sell its products or services.Continue Reading

• partner account manager (PAM)

  A partner account manager is a job title within a vendor organization that uses channel partners to sell its products or services.Continue Reading

• managed hosting

  Managed hosting is an IT provisioning model in which a service provider leases dedicated servers and associated hardware to a single customer and manages those systems on the customer's behalf.Continue Reading

• distributor agreement (distribution agreement)

  A distributor agreement, also known as a distribution agreement, is a contract between channel partners that stipulates the responsibilities of both parties.Continue Reading

• reseller

  In information technology, a reseller is a company that typically purchases IT products or services from a product manufacturer, distributor or service provider and then markets them to customers.Continue Reading

• Security questionnaires: How to prepare your SMB clients

  SMBs working with regulated clients may need to complete detailed security assessment questionnaires. Managed service providers can help with data security tools and capabilities.Continue Reading

• Containerization technology market emerges for channel partners

  As interest in containers grows, clients are turning to partners for help deploying and managing the technology. Get insight into consulting and management opportunities.Continue Reading

• Business continuity solution: How should MSPs price an offering?

  A backup offering, when packaged as a business continuity solution, can pique your customers' interest and provide attractive margins if positioned and priced appropriately.Continue Reading

• Cloud migration planning: Assess workloads now to avoid trouble later

  Organizations that take the time to assess workloads, identify dependencies and educate themselves on cloud security tools can set a smooth path for a public cloud deployment.Continue Reading

• Expect 5G infrastructure to generate new wave of channel opportunities

  It's time to think about 5G. The widespread rollout of 5G infrastructure is likely to create new prospects for channel-provided solutions and services, industry experts say.Continue Reading

• A cybersecurity self-assessment helps IT teams, partners flag risks

  IT teams, partners and vendors can benefit from an internal checkup when it comes to reducing the risk of a cybersecurity breach. This approach can help document security efforts.Continue Reading

• MSP security essentials for every IT service provider

  Getting a cybersecurity practice up and running is no easy task. In this guide, we show how MSPs can build security practices and protect their clients from an array of threats.Continue Reading

• Digital transformation business: Procurement ripe for revitalization

  As the digital transformation business moves into back-office operations, systems such as procurement may be among the candidates for renewal.Continue Reading

• Dell and EMC merger poses a challenging transformation

  The Dell and EMC merger presents a multitude of opportunities for market domination -- if the integrated companies can modernize a highly complex portfolio.Continue Reading

• Gamification techniques for your financial services clients

  Here are three tips for channel companies looking to help financial services and insurance clients adopt gamification as part of their overarching digital business strategies.Continue Reading

• Recruitment techniques for IT channel companies

  Channel firms must rethink their recruitment techniques to win in today's competitive job market. Get tips for updating your channel recruitment strategy and retaining talent.Continue Reading

• Software-defined storage solutions: A channel primer

  Channel companies have an opportunity to help their customers deploy emerging software-defined storage technology, a pursuit that may also boost a partner's consulting revenue.Continue Reading

• How to protect your clients from ransomware infections

  Client education, advanced endpoint protection and image-based backups are some of the steps channel partners can encourage customers to take to thwart ransomware.Continue Reading

• Partners: Citrix hyper-converged tech opens VDI to midrange clients

  The Citrix Ready HCI Workspace Appliance Program, coupled with the company's Citrix Cloud, will open VDI opportunities among midmarket customers, Citrix channel partners said.Continue Reading

• IoT business opportunity in 2017: Are channel partners ready?

  As channel partners mull over business moves for the upcoming year, many executives may consider IoT as a potential play -- and for good reason. "There is so much demand for IoT within SMBs [small ...Continue Reading

• Machine learning projects fuel new lines of channel business

  Machine learning projects are creating a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' for partners. Get ready with the right range of skills and experience to take part.Continue Reading

• Managed mobility services market: Complexity fuels channel growth

  The complex nature of enterprise mobility opens service opportunities for channel companies, but also makes for a challenging and competitive environment.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN: Providers could see strong growth, but face hurdles

  The SD-WAN market beckons with high-growth potential, but channel partners must confront incomplete feature sets, training requirements and market consolidation.Continue Reading

• Salesforce telehealth system lets channel add real-time video, audio

  Salesforce's telehealth tool, built on top of its Health Cloud platform, offers partners the ability to add real-time video and audio to their healthcare vertical offerings.Continue Reading

• IT security strategy: Help clients build these three pillars

  User education, access management and data backup are the three pillars of a sound security strategy that partners should build and reinforce for their customers.Continue Reading

• Partner-to-partner: Teaming with peers to grow a channel business

  Partner-to-partner collaboration can help channel companies deliver more complex offerings and address customers' pressing business problems, according to Tiffani Bova.Continue Reading

• Building a partnership: How to link up with other service providers

  Partnering with your fellow IT service providers can help expand the services you offer clients without incurring the cost of hiring and retaining talent.Continue Reading

• IT RFP: How to influence the bid as a channel partner

  Channel partners may find the formal RFP process challenging, but they can influence the bid in advance -- and boost their chances for success -- through digital marketing.Continue Reading

• K-12 market: Channel takes on networking, storage, security projects

  Students are heading for vacation, but K-12 sector projects in networking, storage and security are getting underway for channel partners with an education focus.Continue Reading

• Channel partner marketing: Offloading the work to specialists

  Channel partners, who have long bemoaned the challenges of marketing themselves, turn to outside specialists for help optimizing their website design and content.Continue Reading

• IT security tutorial: Channel partner tips for new tech

  In this IT security tutorial, we outline security concerns and mitigation strategies for software-defined networking, hyper-converged infrastructure and the Internet of Things.Continue Reading

• MDF funds: How MSPs can get their cut of the marketing money

  Market development funds are there for the asking. Learning the details of individual programs -- and demonstrating sales and technical strength -- can help you get your shareContinue Reading

• VMware's NSX: Integrator deploys SDN tech at CBOSS

  CBOSS, a payment processing service provider, hired integrator AdvizeX to deploy NSX, the VMware network virtualization platform, as part of a software-defined networking project.Continue Reading

• The legal vertical isn't for every IT services provider

  The legal services market isn't every service provider's cup of tea. Learn about one company that embraced the vertical and another that decided to walk away from it.Continue Reading

• Partners: Big data software revs data warehouse projects

  Channel partners find revenue -- and a fair bit of complexity -- at the intersection of big data and traditional data warehouse systems.Continue Reading

• Managed services business model relies on careful client acquisitions

  When it comes to customer acquisitions, MSPs have to be particularly selective. Learn best practices to steer clear of bad clients and wasted time.Continue Reading

• Five pitfalls in the merger and acquisition process

  Channel partners working through the merger and acquisition process must deal with cultural, financial and personnel issues before the ink is dry.Continue Reading

• The tradeoffs of partnering with managed mobility services providers

  The increasingly complicated world of enterprise mobility spells opportunity for channel partners, and partnering with a large managed mobility services provider may be the best way to overcome the high barrier of entry.Continue Reading

• Vendor relationship management: Best practices for solution providers

  Vendor relationship management is no less important than customer relationship management for solution providers looking to unlock business growth. Learn best practices and why small solution providers especially should make VRM a top priority.Continue Reading

• Microsoft managed partner designation: What it takes, what it's worth

  A Microsoft managed partner designation can get you a warm body within Microsoft whose job it is to help you. Get info on how partners are selected.Continue Reading

• How to sell a small business in the IT services, VAR space

  Get advice on how to sell a small business in the MSP and VAR space, including determining the business valuation and finding a potential buyer.Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2008 R2 editions and Hyper-V licensing FAQ

  Knowing the capabilities of all Windows Server 2008 R2 editions and how they pertain to Hyper-V licensing will prevent issues from popping up when selling Windows Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• CISSP quiz: Business continuity and disaster recovery

  This CISSP quiz, which is a part of the SearchSecurityChannel.com CISSP Study Guide will test your knowledge of business continuity and disaster recovery best practices and help you pass the CISSP exam.Continue Reading

• Snort Tutorial: How to use Snort intrusion detection resources

  In this Snort Tutorial, you will receive advice from the experts on Snort rules, installation best practices and unified output. You will learn how to use Snort, how to test Snort and how to upgrade to different versions of the intrusion detection ...Continue Reading

• SAS-2: Benefits and drawbacks of the newest Serial Attached SCSI version

  Learn about the latest version of Serial Attached SCSI, SAS-2, including which segment of the market it holds advantages for, how it compares with Fibre Channel and SATA, and its key drawbacks.Continue Reading

• The director switch: Basic SAN switch, plus scalability and high availability

  One director-class switch can supplant multiple SAN switches and deliver scalability, high availability and a number of advanced features for Fibre Channel SANs.Continue Reading

• Using Windows PowerShell scripts for task automation

  Solutions providers will find that executing Windows PowerShell scripts for task automation will make jobs, such as creating virtual machines or consolidating old servers, easier.Continue Reading

• VSphere virtual machine migration tools: vCenter converter

  Using virtual machine migration tools such as vCenter Converter will make converting customers' virtual machines to vSphere a smooth process for solutions providers.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Windows 7 errors

  Use this FAQ when troubleshooting Windows 7 to get answers to commonly asked questions on Windows 7 errors and dealing with hardware problems.Continue Reading

• Resolving a Windows 7 crash or freeze

  This FAQ helps solutions providers give users the best assistance when Windows 7 issues arise, such as the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), crashes and random freezes.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows 7 system maintenance tools

  Our expert answers commonly asked questions about maintaining Windows 7 using Remote Assistance, determining which maintenance tools are most useful and how often they should run.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows 7 hardware requirements and compatibility

  Use this FAQ to learn about Windows 7 hardware requirements and notebook compatibility factors, and find out when you should recommend 32-bit vs. 64-bit architecture.Continue Reading

• What should be included in a managed services agreement?

  A well-written managed services agreement should provide a common understanding of the services to be performed by the managed services provider for the client. Learn why the managed services agreement is often the first step taken by MSPs, the ...Continue Reading

• Network IDS/IPS vendors

  Before deciding on a network intrusion detection or intrusion prevention system (IDS/IPS), check out this Partner Program Directory. Use these checklists to compare partner programs of network IDS/IPS vendors.Continue Reading

• How to install a certificate on a Windows Vista client

  Learn how to install a certificate onto a Windows Vista client after downloading the certificate from the enterprise certificate authority.Continue Reading

• What are the tangible deliverables of the security assessment?

  Learn what standard deliverables are for a security site assessment and how to tailor them to the expected audience.Continue Reading

• What is the scope of the assessment?

  Before beginning a security assessment on IT systems, service providers should discuss the scope of the assessment. Learn why it is important to decide the scope of an assessment before its execution.Continue Reading

• Cisco Systems Partner Program Checklist

  Value-added resellers and service providers interested in reselling Cisco networking hardware and software can learn the benefits of becoming a Cisco Systems partner with this standardized checklist. Compare Cisco's reseller partner program with ...Continue Reading

• What kind of incentives and partner programs does VMware offer to its resellers?

  Learn about VMware's three reseller partner levels: Professional, Enterprise and Premier. These levels increase in both the commitment expected from the reseller and benefits offered by VMware.Continue Reading

• What are the disadvantages of iSCSI?

  Deploying iSCSI in mission-critical situations isn't a risk-free proposition. Customers may have to cope with higher latency and performance issues in mixed networks after an iSCSI implementation.Continue Reading

• Disable IP directed broadcasts

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