MSP technology services
Tips on IT service delivery approaches and features on building lines of business to meet customers' digital transformation needs.
Top Stories
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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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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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Guest Post
22 Jul 2022
Recruiters look for range of qualities in MSP job candidates
It's hard to hire employees with technical experience and an MSP background, but recruiters who understand what motivates potential employees can find good candidates. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2022
Microsoft industry clouds hover over partner event
At Microsoft Inspire, industry-specific cloud offerings emerged as a key FY 2023 direction for the technology company and one in which it enlists partner ecosystem support. 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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News
20 Jul 2022
Microsoft Inspire 2022 points to 'digital imperative'
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella encouraged partners to push beyond digital transformation, while the company's channel executives updated the company's industry push. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jul 2022
Partners weigh OEMs' private cloud options for clients
Dell Apex, HPE GreenLake and NetApp Keystone are among the pay-per-use hardware platforms partners can offer clients considering alternatives to the public cloud. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2022
Managed services industry remains investor magnet
The high-tempo transaction pace continues as investors cite recurring revenue, attractive cash flows and favorable IT trends as reasons to pursue MSP deals; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
30 Jun 2022
Tuning enterprise architecture to cope with accelerating change
In the realm of enterprise architecture, real agility starts with architectural simplicity. Learn how businesses can reduce complexity -- and boost organizational dexterity. 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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News
29 Jun 2022
Logically MSP acquisition grows geographic reach, MSFT skills
The managed services transaction fuels growth for Logically, which is also expanding through strategic consulting services and cybersecurity offerings. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
22 Jun 2022
MSP growth requires additional tech offerings
Managed infrastructure services alone will not drive dramatic growth for MSPs. Providers must create offerings in technology spaces such as RPA and cloud computing. 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
09 Jun 2022
HYCU funding to aid multi-cloud data protection, management
HYCU will add to its backup and recovery product line and workforce following a series B funding round. The company still has plans for an IPO as well. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 May 2022
Digital transformation in manufacturing melds emerging tech
Partners work with customers to absorb a mixture of AI, IIoT, hyperautomation, 5G and cloud computing, while dealing with the challenge of highly distributed organizations. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 May 2022
Explore unfolding managed IT services for manufacturing
MSPs are exploring opportunities to help manufacturers navigate digital transformation challenges, including integrating legacy systems and staying competitive. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 May 2022
program/erase cycle (P/E cycle)
A solid-state storage program/erase cycle (P/E cycle) is a sequence of events in which data is written to a solid-state NAND flash memory cell, such as the type found in a flash or thumb drive, and is subsequently erased and rewritten. Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2022
AWS partners get skills-building, co-selling investment
The cloud platform provider aims to address the challenging labor market, which it views as the primary obstacle to partner growth; other 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
25 Apr 2022
Partners cite reinforcement learning use cases, gradual uptake
Consultants view reinforcement learning as a tool for decision-making at scale and a way to solve optimization problems, but its capabilities remain a mystery for some customers. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2022
Consultants ramp up vertical cloud development
Changing customer needs have prompted partners such as TCS, PwC and EY to pursue industry-specific strategies around cloud computing; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Apr 2022
Financial industry cloud model gains momentum
Channel partners working with industry clouds, such as IBM's Cloud for Financial Services, can limit the work customers must do to meet application security and compliance requirements. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Apr 2022
Consultants see retail payment systems adapt to pandemic
A mix of consulting and integration opportunities could drive partner business, as retailers look to adopt omnichannel technologies and hybrid sales models. Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2022
Partners bring hybrid workplace technology to market
NWN Carousel and ROI Communications are among the service providers creating offerings for customers pursuing flexible work models; more IT channel news 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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Feature
13 Apr 2022
Web consulting project helps users prep for language test
Computools created a website for users preparing for the International English Language Testing System exam, which helps people study in, or migrate to, English-speaking nations. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2022
Gartner forecast points to IT services pricing increase
Service providers look to offset rising employee compensation as the demand for IT skills continues to grow and utilization rates climb; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Apr 2022
mechanical refrigeration
Mechanical refrigeration, often referred to simply as refrigeration or air conditioning, is a process by which heat is removed from a location using a human-made heat exchange system. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2022
SD-WAN project covers security, latency and cloud
PM Pediatrics, an urgent care provider, hired service provider Vandis to improve branch security, but the project transformed into something much broader. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2022
Digital transformation in oil and gas sector set for growth
Kyndryl's large-scale, multi-cloud technology deal with refinery operator Motiva Enterprises underscores a broader industry trend; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Mar 2022
Mission's machine learning consulting gig boosts image
E-card platform JibJab sought a better way to crop images for a new physical book product. Mission improved the process's accuracy in an effort that won a 2021 Top Projects Award. Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2022
Colocation services companies bank on hybrid IT
Providers expand capacity and global presence as enterprise customers build data center services into multi-faceted infrastructure strategies; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Mar 2022
Aruba partner equips facility with managed network solutions
To build room to grow, Wiptec established a new distribution center with Aruba Edge Service Platform. See how channel partner CPU ensured a smooth process from start to finish. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Mar 2022
MSPs set up IT services for retail transformations
MSPs can help the retail industry digitally transform in six areas, including customer and employee experience, and emerge stronger after the unique challenges of 2020 and 2021. Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2022
3 IT services partners win top projects awards
Computools, Mission and Vandis captured SearchITChannel's 2021 Top Projects Awards, which recognize innovation and business benefits in partner-customer engagements. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Mar 2022
5 ways to improve MSP marketing and sales
Review these tips to get a better understanding of the people, process and tools you'll need to bolster what has been a traditional weakness among service providers. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Mar 2022
location-based service (LBS)
A location-based service (LBS) is a software service for mobile device applications that requires knowledge about where the mobile device is geographically located. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Mar 2022
How does a NetOps strategy affect enterprise network teams?
A NetOps approach uses DevOps frameworks to help network teams enable virtualization, automation and AI to create Agile networks and deploy applications faster. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Mar 2022
NAND flash wear-out
NAND flash wear-out is the breakdown of the oxide layer within the floating gate transistors of NAND flash memory. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Mar 2022
build
In a programming context, a build is a version of a program that, as a rule, is a pre-release version and is identified by a build number rather than by a release number. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Mar 2022
AIOps challenges ease into MSP system management
AIOps is still early in development; however, the technology will help channel partners and customers contextualize large volumes of data and streamline management processes. 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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Definition
11 Mar 2022
screened subnet
A screened subnet, or triple-homed firewall, refers to a network architecture where a single firewall is used with three network interfaces. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Mar 2022
metamorphic and polymorphic malware
Metamorphic and polymorphic malware are two types of malicious software (malware) that can change their code as they propagate through a system. 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
01 Mar 2022
Cloud for industry sectors calls for co-innovation
The verticalization of cloud computing will hinge on alliances in which service providers, hyperscalers and customers collaborate on industry-specific platforms. Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2022
Cloud partners bolster relations with AWS, GCP and Microsoft
Service providers expand cloud centers of excellence, invest in technical skills and create intellectual property; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2022
ServiceNow telecom sector heats up for partners
Ecosystem players are maneuvering for business opportunities at the intersection of high-growth technology and legacy systems; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Feb 2022
Partners see client transformation in industry clouds
Verticalized offerings could help organizations get more out of their cloud investments and seize competitive advantage, with service providers playing an advisory role. Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Digital transformation acceleration drives cloud spend
Recent research points to a continuation of the enterprise IT projects -- many built on cloud technology -- that emerged in the second half of 2020; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Feb 2022
clean install
A clean install is a software installation in which any previous version is eradicated. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Feb 2022
data recovery agent (DRA)
A data recovery agent (DRA) is a Microsoft Windows user account with the ability to decrypt data that was encrypted by other users. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2022
Cloud consumption models, services to see uptick in 2022
Cloud computing skills shortages are changing the way businesses think about in-house IT and making them more likely to tap external service providers; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jan 2022
Data analytics in IoT offers new opportunities for MSPs
For MSPs monitoring thousands of IoT devices, parsing the associated data stream provides an outlet for growth. MSPs, however, must first acquire the essential skills. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Dec 2021
IoT hardware sales can bolster MSPs
Offering connected devices could prove a lucrative business, given the potential to monitor a large installed base. But MSPs must prepare for the scope of the challenge. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2021
Kyndryl grows ecosystem via Google Cloud partnership
The infrastructure services provider aims to offer multi-cloud services and integration offerings as it cultivates industry ties beyond its IBM origins; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Dec 2021
IoT opportunities for MSPs in monitoring, management
Partners can extend their existing services into the realm of IoT, but they should brace themselves for massive device populations and gear up for security. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2021
Partners get AWS Data Exchange, container market updates
New Data Exchange capabilities avoid ETL and provide consistent API governance, while a container marketplace update supports an expanded set of Kubernetes management tools. Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2021
Digital transformation projects face expansion hurdles
The pandemic accelerated cloud adoption, but staffing shortages could stall projects without the help of third-party providers; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Nov 2021
Multi-cloud deployments challenge customers, partners
The complexity of operating multiple clouds has opened opportunities for consultants and service providers, who aim to instill a more holistic management approach. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Oct 2021
IT firm scores victory with stadium technology project
IT services provider Atomic Data helped set up key networking components for FC Cincinnati's new soccer stadium. The project deployed a mix of Aruba Networks technology. Continue Reading
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News
13 Oct 2021
Google Cloud Next features distributed cloud, integrator moves
Google Distributed Cloud could cut data sovereignty compliance costs for partners' customers, while global integrators roll out offerings for Google Cloud. Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2021
Palo Alto Networks distributor pact aims for US small businesses
Distributor Ingram Micro is set to offer Palo Alto Network's Okyo Garde, a subscription-based cybersecurity product that targets small businesses; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Oct 2021
managed IT service
A managed IT service is an information technology (IT) task provided by a third-party contractor and delivered to a customer. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2021
Cloud integration services emerge as partner opportunity
Consultants help customers unify disparate cloud systems, offering services reminiscent of 1980s vintage systems integration. They face obstacles along the way, however. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Sep 2021
cloud ecosystem
A cloud ecosystem is a complex system of interdependent components that all work together to enable cloud services. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Sep 2021
Accenture backs Climeworks on CO2 removal tech
The consulting firm offers software, market advice and visual design services to the carbon removal venture, which recently opened a plant in Iceland. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
31 Aug 2021
Apple device management considerations for MSPs
RMM software has evolved into a cybersecurity attack vector, creating concerns for MSPs and their customers. Does Apple's configuration-based management approach offer a solution? Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2021
AWS MSSP competency program opens up to partners
A new AWS program will validate the skill sets and processes of MSSP partners, creating a means for security firms to competitively differentiate themselves; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
24 Aug 2021
Why Microsoft 365, Windows 365 matter for IT services firms
Office 365, Microsoft 365 and Windows 365 differ not only in their feature sets and capabilities, but in the opportunities they afford service providers. Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2021
SADA, Intel collaborate in Google Cloud optimization program
Through a new partnership, SADA and Intel engineers will fine-tune customers' Google Cloud Platform environments; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Aug 2021
Salesforce partner demand soars, M&A follows
The Salesforce skills crunch has generated a wave of acquisitions in the partner ecosystem. But M&A isn't the only remedy: Consultants have also boosted training. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2021
Cybersecurity consulting, MSSPs in channel spotlight
Channel companies have put a premium on cybersecurity services in 2021. The latest round of market activity features Deloitte and Epiphany Systems; other news. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2021
Microsoft partner community gets industry cloud, training boost
At Microsoft Inspire, the company expanded its industry cloud portfolio with a sustainability cloud and promised to expand partners' technical expertise; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2021
Microsoft Cloud platform to fuel FY 2022 priorities
At Microsoft Inspire 2021, executives highlighted ways Microsoft has differentiated its cloud platform from rivals. Partners can expect to see the cloud platform expand. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2021
Microsoft Inspire 2021 takes on 'era of rapid change'
The vendor kicked off its virtual event with new visions for its technologies, aimed at aligning with a world where digital adoption has skyrocketed. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jul 2021
SADA's FinOps lead sheds light on an emerging field
In this Q&A, SADA's Rich Hoyer discusses the fundamentals of FinOps, why it's gaining visibility, and the conundrum of cloud technology and its value to customers. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2021
AWS-Salesforce partnership offers integration potential
The alliance is poised to generate new customer use cases that span AWS services and Salesforce clouds, according to cloud services firm AllCloud; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jun 2021
Selling professional services on cloud marketplaces
Partners say cloud sales platforms offer a way to find new customers, launch proofs of concept and seed bigger deals. Learn more about this emerging channel. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
18 Jun 2021
Accenture: 4 areas every cloud strategy must cover
Organizations have begun to tackle new challenges involving their cloud strategies. Here are four facets that channel partners can help clients address. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2021
PwC cloud report points to 'value gap'
Despite widespread enthusiasm for cloud computing, many organizations have yet to see a significant payoff from their investments, a PwC cloud study found; other news. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
18 Jun 2021
How will 5G deliver on its potential?
The pandemic made businesses and users more reliant on wireless services and paved the way for the 5G deployments. Here's why it's hard to predict just how beneficial 5G will be. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jun 2021
Consultants work around mainframe staffing limitations
Specialized service providers aim to offset labor constraints with a mix of education programs, on-the-job experience and tools such as robotic process automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Jun 2021
Accenture: Channel partner ecosystem taps cloud, innovation
Times have changed for channel partners. Companies today drive most business through cloud providers and seek to co-innovate industry-specific offerings with technology partners. Continue Reading
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News
28 May 2021
Cloud professional services deals target Oracle, ServiceNow
A fresh round of investor deals in the cloud consulting space put a spotlight on Oracle, Twilio and ServiceNow's partner ecosystems; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 May 2021
Accenture Cloud First exec cites C-suite engagement
In this Q&A, Accenture Cloud First lead Karthik Narain reflects on the business group's first months of operations and the growing C-suite interest in cloud computing. Continue Reading
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News
14 May 2021
Carousel Industries deal positions NWN for hybrid work
NWN cited the expansion of its customer base and geographical reach as key benefits driving its Carousel Industries acquisition; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2021
Big Blue talks $1B partner investment at IBM Think 2021
IBM's spending on its partner ecosystem includes new competencies, role-based guided learning, increased technical support and financial incentives to boost hybrid cloud business. Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2021
AWS Marketplace, partners get new leadership
AWS Marketplace's newly appointed general manager plans to broaden the digital catalog's offerings and focus on governance. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 May 2021
E-commerce firm Radial taps Presidio for VDI cloud migration
As the pandemic sparked a surge in e-commerce demand, Radial needed to expand its capabilities. Learn how Presidio helped Radial with a VDI cloud migration to VMware Cloud on AWS. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
30 Apr 2021
3 tips to improve data management in the cloud
Many organizations face substantial challenges in collecting, storing and using data in the cloud. Here are three ways solution providers can help. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Apr 2021
Aruba partner tackles university's wireless network upgrade
Doane University kicked off a two-phase wireless network overhaul in response to the pandemic. Learn how Aruba partner DataVizion has helped execute the project. Continue Reading
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News
23 Apr 2021
Gartner cloud forecast bodes well for service providers
Gartner predicts end-user public cloud spending to reach $332.3 billion this year, with SaaS representing the largest area of investment; other IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Mar 2021
Archival cloud storage market expands for channel partners
Channel partners can expect demand for archival cloud storage to grow as vendors mature their offerings. Learn about this cloud storage category's strengths and limitations. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
17 Mar 2021
Nerdio's strategy evolves for cloud desktop, Azure markets
Nerdio CEO Vadim Vladimirskiy discusses the state of the cloud desktop market and his company's strategy for developing an Azure IT automation platform for MSPs. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Mar 2021
VMware Cloud on AWS partners see ongoing opportunity
Rackspace Technology, Faction and Converge Technology Solutions help clients tap into VMware Cloud on AWS for a range of uses. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2021
ServiceNow partners get workflow boost in Quebec release
The Quebec release of the Now Platform arms partners with new tools to improve customers' digital workflows, as well as prebuilt vertical extensions; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Mar 2021
Veristor taps Cloudian for cloud adjacent architecture
MSP uses vendor's S3-compatible technology to offer storage as a service, backup/disaster recovery and ransomware protection, while avoiding the inefficiency of overprovisioning. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
02 Mar 2021
Auvik Networks explores network management's future
As network infrastructure becomes more complex, Auvik Networks aims to equip its MSP partners with tools for better visibility, cloud management and more. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
22 Feb 2021
SaaS monitoring, management tools take shape for MSPs
A new category of SaaS monitoring and management software has emerged, designed specifically for MSPs and their small business clients. Learn why these tools matter. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Feb 2021
Channel relationships shift as cloud storage expands
As MSPs look to harness the advantages of cloud storage, they must also articulate the value they provide and enter into a regimen of nonstop training and certification. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
10 Feb 2021
How cloud management tool sets can help MSPs
To tackle today's cloud management challenges, MSPs need new software tools and strategies. Find out why cloud management tool sets should be on MSPs' radars. Continue Reading