Emerging technologies for MSPs
An overview of key trends in emerging technologies and how service providers can incorporate them into their business models.
Top Stories
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News
16 Jul 2025
Consultants, SIs back AWS agentic AI marketplace launch
Accenture, Cognizant and Deloitte are among the partners with offerings on AWS' AI Agents and Tools marketplace, which is expected to combine professional services and software. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2025
Partners begin to target agentic AI marketplace platforms
Cloud marketplaces are emerging as key venues for adoption of AI agents. Consultants and integrators aim to offer the technology but will need to work out pricing methods. Continue Reading
Mobility Consulting: A Missed Channel Opportunity?
Mobile devices are disrupting your customers’ IT strategies, leading to lots of problems that need solving. Find out where the best opportunities lie and get advice from experts on how to approach the market, including what not to do.
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Feature
27 Jun 2025
MSSP automation amps managed service delivery, opens markets
MSSPs are updating and broadening their technology stacks, emphasizing automation to break security service price barriers and reach new clients in a competitive market. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2025
AI plays key role in NWN-InterVision IT services M&A deal
NWN's acquisition of InterVision will combine generative AI services with contact center, cybersecurity and cloud offerings. It also opens cross-selling opportunities. Continue Reading
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News
28 May 2025
Service providers pursue quantum computing security market
Accenture, DXC and Unisys are among the companies pursuing quantum security services. They'll need to overcome competing cybersecurity concerns and an uncertain threat deadline. Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2025
Partner marketing for startups gets specialized, integrated
Software startups presenting at the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium's Innovation Showcase are working with specialized channel partners and pursuing technology integration partnerships. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Apr 2025
What is quantum computing? How it works and examples
Quantum computing is an emerging area of computer science focused on building computers based on the principles of quantum theory to dramatically increase computation speeds. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Apr 2025
Guide to building and executing an MSP business model
This managed service guide provides an overview of the business model, covers the basics of building a service provider business and discusses how to manage a maturing operation. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Mar 2025
What is a semiconductor, and what is it used for?
A semiconductor is a substance that can act as a conductor or insulator depending on other factors, enabling it to serve as a foundation for computers and other electronic devices. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Mar 2025
Partner's Apple Watch referee app lets NHL stripes keep focus
Presidio designed the NHL Watch Comms App to sync with a hockey arena's game and penalty clocks and use haptic notifications to help officials keep their eyes on the game. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Feb 2025
What is quantum in physics and computing?
A quantum, the singular form of quanta, is the smallest discrete unit of any physical entity. For example, a quantum of light is a photon, and a quantum of electricity is an electron. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Feb 2025
8 generative AI challenges that businesses should consider
IT managers planning to adopt GenAI can expect to encounter some hurdles, including cost optimization, workforce effects, cybersecurity concerns and energy use. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2025
10 top generative AI benefits for business
The advantages of using generative AI cover plenty of ground, with improving customer experience, reducing costs and automating code creation among the key drivers. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jan 2025
6 trends shaping the IT services market in 2025
Expect IT service providers to use AI to improve service delivery and automate customers' business processes this year, among other notable trends in the industry. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Dec 2024
What is a collaborative robot (cobot)?
A collaborative robot, also known as a cobot, is an industrial robot that can safely operate alongside humans in a shared workspace. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Nov 2024
What is computational linguistics? Definition and career info
Computational linguistics (CL) is the application of computer science to the analysis and comprehension of written and spoken language. Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2024
Hyperscalers' mass, AI role dominate partner ecosystems
Seemingly saturated, the massive partner networks of the top cloud vendors still attract service providers and often serve as their top ecosystems, according to a new survey. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Aug 2024
What is professional services automation (PSA)?
Professional services automation (PSA) is a type of software application suite that provides a service business with the functionality it needs to manage core business processes. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2024
Generative AI upskilling demands multiple methods, partners
Global IT consultancies take a multilayered approach to GenAI training by developing in-house programs, partnering with tech vendors and tapping online training platforms. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2024
8 machine learning benefits for businesses
For business leaders, machine learning's predictive capabilities can forecast product demand, reduce equipment downtime and retain customers. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jun 2024
Broadband infrastructure program explained: The details
With the $42.45 billion BEAD Program, each state will use allocated funds to connect all households to high-speed internet. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 May 2024
Partners' generative AI training plans aim for 1M+ employees
IT service providers are upskilling a large portion of their workforces on the emerging technology. The campaign seeks to boost GenAI credibility with customers and tech vendors. Continue Reading
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News
14 May 2024
GenAI complicates IT vendor management
IT leaders at the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium cited the challenge of managing the 'explosion' of GenAI companies while also working with vendors in maturing technology sectors. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2024
Startup partnerships at MIT Sloan event rev sales channels
Early-stage companies featured at MIT Sloan's annual CIO event tap partners to speed up technology deployment and broaden their offerings and distribution channels. Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2024
Use of AI in business drives increase in consulting services
The slice of businesses using external providers for AI uptake is set to more than double, according to U.S. Census survey data. Industry leaders say that tracks with their outlook. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2024
AWS partner competency asks for GenAI tech, business skills
The cloud provider's generative AI certification takes months to complete, involves numerous technical and operational demands, and requires four detailed customer case studies. Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2024
Digital transformation spending rides on CX, AI
Spending on digital transformation could get an increase this year from businesses seeking to improve customer experience and boost efficiency through automation and AI. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Feb 2024
radiology information system (RIS)
A radiology information system (RIS) is a networked software system for managing medical imagery and associated data. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Feb 2024
What is picture archiving and communication system (PACS)?
Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is a medical imaging technology used primarily in healthcare organizations to securely store and digitally transmit electronic images and clinically relevant reports. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2024
Integration of AI, legacy IT opens partner opportunities
Core in-house applications running on client-server systems and mainframes are candidates for a generative AI update, according to IT service provider executives. Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2024
Partners: Businesses enlist AI in business model reinvention
IT services executives believe the most digitally advanced companies will embark on business model reinvention projects highlighting AI as a key technology for managing change. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2024
ServiceNow, IBM set partner programs for AI transformation
Technology providers reach out to service providers that can help them deliver business change, digital workflows and emerging technologies to enterprise customers. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Dec 2023
Technology outlook: Service providers cite four key trends
What's on tap for 2024? The partner ecosystem expects to help customers scale generative AI projects, work with smaller models and play a bigger role at the edge. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Dec 2023
5 IT services industry trends on tap for 2024
The top IT services industry trends for 2024 should sound familiar, with cost optimization and guarded innovation among the trends expected for the coming year. Continue Reading
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News
01 Dec 2023
AWS partners look to GenAI, competencies, marketplace sales
This week's AWS re:Invent conference was notable for AI, industry-specific offerings and accelerators, but partners also pointed to specializations and online deal-making. Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2023
Partner ecosystem changeup prompts alliance rethink
The shifting partner ecosystem landscape could inspire IT service providers to consider new alliances or bolster existing ones amid fast-paced economy and technology trends. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2023
Cloud pricing hits new mark amid multiple drivers
Cloud costs continue to rise, according to the U.S. government's latest pricing data. Wages, energy demands, emerging tech and consumption patterns contribute to the trend. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2023
Google Cloud Next enlists partner ecosystem for AI push
Google Cloud Next rallied consultancies, systems integrators and other service provider partners to help customers effectively deploy generative AI in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2023
Generative AI in business: Fast uptake, earmarked funding
More than half of IT and business decision-makers said they have generative AI on the near-term adoption track, according to a report from TechTarget's Enterprise Strategy Group. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2023
Snowflake partner network takes on optimization
Snowflake optimization spans cost reduction, infrastructure rightsizing and query reengineering. But will partner demand endure or decline as customers mature? Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2023
Google Cloud partner ecosystem ramps up for generative AI
Companies such as 66degrees and Capgemini aim to build generative AI tools using Google's platforms, offering enterprise customers industry and process expertise. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2023
Microsoft partner ecosystem takes on AI boom, program shifts
Microsoft Inspire 2023 saw the company relaunch its partner program to address the expected boom in AI. Partners discuss technology developments and partner program changes. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2023
AI, cloud trends shape next-gen managed services offerings
Service providers are launching new services, capabilities and delivery models to meet the needs of customers grappling with AI and complex cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2023
Partners make zero-trust assessment a core security service
Service providers have made zero-trust assessments a key part of their emerging zero-trust offerings. Those evaluations create a roadmap that guides the clients' security journey. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Jun 2023
IT service execs point to 5 core zero-trust questions
A partner-customer dialog around zero trust should focus on the basics of organizational awareness, upskilling, funding, technical tooling and user experience. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 May 2023
4 key ways partners sharpen digital transformation strategy
IT service providers employ methodologies, tools and platforms to keep initiatives on track. Their efforts aim to prevent projects from stalling before they deliver the goods. Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2023
Cloud cost management takes center stage
IT shops appear ready to focus on cloud costs amid inflation and economic uncertainty. Service providers expect clients to invest more in FinOps and optimization tools this year. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Mar 2023
Health of digital transformation: Consulting firms list issues
Digital transformation can take too long and fail to deliver. Root causes include lack of focus, cultural barriers and technical challenges, according to IT services executives. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Feb 2023
Gartner Hype Cycle
The Gartner Hype Cycle is a graphical representation of the lifecycle stages a technology goes through from the initial development to its commercial availability and adoption, as well as its eventual decline and obsolescence. Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2023
FinOps, co-innovation could unlock cloud business benefits
Industry studies underscore businesses' continuing struggle to obtain cloud computing benefits. A greater focus on strategy, financial management and co-innovation could help. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Jan 2023
virtual reality gaming (VR gaming)
Virtual reality gaming (VR gaming) is the application of a three-dimensional (3D) artificial environment to computer games. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2023
New year, new partner go-to-market strategy
The partner ecosystem continues to evolve as companies deal with emerging technologies and business models. Here's what SoftwareOne, Johnson Controls and IBM are pursuing. Continue Reading
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News
02 Dec 2022
Top AWS cloud consultants earn 6-to-1 revenue multiplier
AWS ecosystem research suggests partners generate more services dollars when they invest in a broader portfolio of offerings; other partner developments at re:Invent. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Sep 2022
New go-to-market strategy key to selling HPE GreenLake
Read about a trailblazing Canadian service provider's journey with the as-a-service hardware and software platform -- and the insights it gleaned along the way. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2022
Microsoft partner ecosystem revved up, riled by 2022 event
A contact center product launch, a space industry community and an upcoming partner program revamp topped the list of Microsoft Inspire developments; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jul 2022
Partners see growth in maturing on-premises cloud technology
Colocation, data-center-as-a-service offerings and cloud-like consumption models offer customers alternatives -- or adjuncts -- to public cloud platforms. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jul 2022
The benefits and drawbacks of co-creating innovation
Collaborating ecosystem partners can access a broader range of talent and accelerate time to market, but they must closely manage their relationships. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jun 2022
A guide to MSP patch management best practices
As software patch management challenges mount, industry experts offer advice to MSPs on prioritizing system risk levels, selecting proper tools and testing patches internally. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Jun 2022
Keeping pace with different types of manufacturing processes
It's horses for courses in the industrial sector as partners look to help various kinds of manufacturers run on the emerging technologies that track with their needs. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2022
In digital transformation, telecom needs a partner boost
Legacy business models and risk avoidance leave many telecom firms behind in the race to innovate, but the partner ecosystem could spark their progress; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 May 2022
Partner ecosystem strategy: Co-innovation and other variants
Co-innovation, generative partnering and co-creation describe alliances among customers, service providers and tech vendors. But what do the terms mean and what are the benefits? Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Apr 2022
VoltaGrid taps Rackspace for AI Ecosystem portal, cloud app
With a lofty goal to revolutionize the mobile energy industry, VoltaGrid needed support to improve customer operations quickly. Learn how MSP Rackspace Technology stepped up. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2022
Partner ecosystems build IP with Cisco, SAP
Channel companies collaborate with technology providers, creating differentiated offerings that address customer demand for business outcomes; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Mar 2022
Channel partners prepare data analytics managed services
Customers may not fully understand AI and machine learning technology yet, but channel partners have been building their expertise to make the use cases a reality for clients. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Mar 2022
Technology service providers enter a golden age
The good -- the digital transformation project is now a priority. The bad -- IT is short staffed, equipment is back-ordered and everyone is burnt out. Who will do the work? Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2022
Accenture, Celonis partner in process mining technology
The strategic relationship aims to speed up process improvement, embedding Celonis' technology in Accenture offerings such as MyConcerto and SynOps; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 May 2021
IoT integration services evolve in maturing market
IT service providers are moving upstream to address client needs in an IoT market that has lost some, but not all, of its science project reputation. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2020
UiPath RPA training targets channel partners
RPA vendor UiPath has launched a new training portal built specifically for channel partners, offering educational content used by the company's internal teams; more channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Dec 2019
Computer vision technology, chatbot reboot on tap for 2020
Look for retailers to emerge in 2020 as a key adopter of AI in vision applications. Other anticipated developments include chatbot integration and a boost for cloud-native apps. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Dec 2019
Why partners shouldn't lose faith in blockchain technology
Keep blockchain on your radar. Despite setbacks in adoption, blockchain endures as relevant technology for channel partners, according to CompTIA and other channel industry watchers. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Jul 2019
Cognilytica expands on CRISP DM model for AI project management
As AI projects become commonplace, channel partners may need to find a way to manage them. Cognilytica offers one approach that draws upon the CRISP DM model Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2019
AI applications in government: Virtual assistants could see uptick
Conversational AI in the form of intelligent virtual assistants and chatbots could player a bigger role in government agencies' citizen service initiatives. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jun 2019
Machine learning consultants explore use cases
Machine learning consultants and developers are among the IT channel partners discovering AI-driven business opportunities across a range of vertical markets. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Apr 2019
Bot stores open opportunities in robotic process automation market
Automation Anywhere's expanding Bot Store could provide opportunities beyond professional services for systems integration firms targeting the robotic process automation market. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Apr 2019
Self-service analytics at Accenture boosts knowledge workers
Accenture's enterprise analytics and AI models are helping the firm on a number of fronts, including determining sales opportunities, pricing deals and complying with internal and customer expense policies. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Apr 2019
How to start an AI service business
Building an AI practice may seem like a daunting endeavor. Fortunately, channel partners can learn from other companies that have found ways to apply AI models to customer challenges. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Apr 2019
AI applications: Cloud vs. on-premises deployment options
Should clients build on-premises infrastructures for their AI needs or turn to cloud-based AI? Insight Enterprises' Brandon Ebken and Juan Orlandini discuss these options. Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2019
Accenture partnership with Splice Machine sealed by investment
Read how Accenture and Splice Machine have deepened their alliance, taking aim at large-scale data transformation projects, and other channel news from the week. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jan 2019
Democratization of AI, 5G nets among top 2019 opportunities
Channel partners may find opportunities in artificial intelligence, 5G networks and the rise of enterprise 3D printing as 2019 unfolds, according to a Deloitte report. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Aug 2018
Partner opportunity: Biometrics tools expand vertical scope
Biometrics in healthcare, financial services, retail and the automotive industry will be opening opportunities for IT services companies deploying this layer of security. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jul 2018
AI and data analytics trailblazers: Accenture, DXC and Wipro
Accenture, DXC and Wipro are among the AI and data analytics services providers highlighted in Gartner's Magic Quadrant. Learn about their market visions and business challenges. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jun 2018
Early-stage companies reach out to channel partners
Bigleaf, CloudZero, Rescale are among the early-stage companies investigating alliances with channel partners as they seek help with sales and support. Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2018
Accenture-Disney deal: Blockchain at the movies
A recently revealed Accenture-Disney alliance aims to apply virtual reality, machine learning and blockchain in immersive entertainment and film production; other news. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Dec 2017
IT channel partners: A look ahead at 2018
Here's a look at the most popular Channel Marker blog posts of 2017 and what they might say about 2018 trends for IT channel partners. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
08 Dec 2017
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
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Feature
05 Sep 2017
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