Manufacturing technologies and services
VARs, systems integrators, managed service providers (MSPs) and IT consultancies can use this topic to find information about manufacturing technologies. You'll find news and analysis, trends articles, expert advice and research reports on topics such as ERP software for the aerospace supply chain, third-party logistics suppliers, lean manufacturing technology, product lifecycle management software and more.
Top Stories
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Feature
14 Sep 2021
9 ERP use cases to consider before buying an ERP system
Choosing the right ERP system requires considering a dizzying array of factors from company size to business goals. Here are nine use cases that can help simplify your research. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Dec 2020
Cloud ERP vs. on-premises ERP: 10 key differences
Understanding the differences between on-premises ERP and cloud ERP, especially multi-tenant SaaS, is critical in buying decisions. Here's how they compare in 10 important areas. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2018
CompTIA: Digital transformation driving IT spending growth
The demand for cloud, security, IoT and a fair few other technologies should keep the channel busy throughout the rest of 2018. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2018
Software development skills in demand, spurring channel business
With DevOps and Agile software development skills in demand, channel companies are responding with assessment, training and even staffing services for their clients. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
Comodo takes aim at IoT certificates
Comodo CA's new chairman Bill Conner and CEO Bill Holtz talk with SearchSecurity about competition in the certificate market and how the internet of things will fuel growth. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
Digital services, IT security shape 2018 legal trends
Data becomes paramount, worldwide laws may call for contractual changes and the demand for digital services is prompting a litigation shift, according to law firm Mayer Brown. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
Microsoft's out-of-band patch disables Intel Spectre fix
Microsoft was forced to release an out-of-band Spectre patch designed not to mitigate the vulnerability but to protect users from Intel's broken fix. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jan 2018
Cloud for healthcare: What is the role of IT channel firms?
Healthcare providers are under greater pressure to pursue digital transformation this year. Learn how partners can aid cloud for healthcare initiatives. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
Accenture: Intelligent operations goal requires data backbone
The concept of intelligent operations can help organizations overcome digital disruption, but they need a data backbone and back office improvements to make that happen. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2018
Slack wants to boost privacy, external collaboration
With the addition of private shared channels, Slack looks to broaden its external collaboration tools. However, interoperability issues still nag team collaboration apps. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2018
Couchbase PartnerEngage: NoSQL vendor seeks channel growth
Channel companies have an opportunity to wrap services around NoSQL database technology projects, as Couchbase PartnerEngage debuts; more news from the week. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2018
AWS acquisition could foster cohesive security tools
Amazon's move to fold Sqrrl, a threat detection startup, into AWS security services could help bring together its growing list of disparate security tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jan 2018
Database DevOps: Channel partners land implementation projects
Datical and Redgate Software, vendors in the database DevOps space, are teaming with systems integration and consulting partners to help customers deploy the technology. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
25 Jan 2018
Cisco HyperFlex update may open partner opportunities
Cisco HyperFlex gets an upgrade that the company said offers multi-cloud integration and a sales opportunity for channel partner companies. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2018
Microsoft Azure chases AWS with Accelerated Networking
An Accelerated Networking upgrade to Microsoft Azure reduces latency and improves performance for newer VMs, as Microsoft tries to keep pace with AWS. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2018
Comodo CA talks certificate trust, Symantec sanctions
Bill Conner and Bill Holtz, who recently joined Comodo CA as chairman and CEO, respectively, discuss Symantec's certificate issues and their effect on the certificate market. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2018
Electron flaw introduces code risk to apps like Slack
The Electron framework -- used to develop desktop apps using web code -- included a remote code execution flaw that was passed on to popular apps like Slack. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2018
Microsoft boasts of partner profitability levels
The vendor's partners are able to generate extra revenue for every $1 that they gain selling Microsoft. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2018
Cloudian looks to hurdle multi-cloud barriers with HyperStore
HyperStore 7 pools storage across on premises and public clouds under a single namespace. Cloudian supports file and object storage, as well as Amazon, Microsoft and Google clouds. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2018
IBM results reveal plans to shift traditional analytics to SaaS
IBM boosts cognitive and blockchain businesses, but admits there is work needed on its traditional analytics products and some will move to software as a service. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2018
NVMe flash, new memory techs shake up storage in 2018
Storage executives and industry analysts predict NVMe, NVMe over Fabrics and new memory technologies will disrupt the storage industry this year and into the future. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2018
Riverbed Rise channel program reinvents partner requirements
The Riverbed Rise program will focus on partner performance, which Riverbed will measure by customer acquisitions, account penetration and more; other news from the week. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
19 Jan 2018
Citrix Summit 2018 underscores vendor's 'focused innovation'
Citrix Summit 2018 shows that the company is continuing its strategy of focusing on its core technology stack, while also pursuing cloud business. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jan 2018
Primary and secondary storage combos attract channel partners
Nontraditional storage vendors, such as ClearSky Data and Reduxio, are attracting resellers and managed service providers with technology, simplicity and business partnerships. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2018
Partners plan for AWS Solution Provider Program launch
Channel partners look forward to differentiating through new AWS competencies around IoT, containers, machine learning and blockchain. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2018
Demand for cloud-enabling infrastructure soared in 2017, says IDC
IDC's latest cloud IT infrastructure market tracker shows the demand for public and private cloud-enabling servers, storage and Ethernet switches is showing no signs of slowing. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2018
NEC Corporation of America extends cloud alliance with Magna5 partnership
A cloud enablement alliance between NEC Corporation of America and Magna5 will bring together NEC's infrastructure-as-a-service offerings with Magna5's communications network. Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Jan 2018
Enterprise network market: Key trends partners should monitor
Key networking trends channel partners can expect to navigate include a shift in WAN design, developments in network microprocessor tech and rising demand for automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jan 2018
OpenStack private cloud deployments spell channel opportunity
Customers across a broad range of industries are growing increasingly interested in deploying OpenStack private cloud technology but often lack the in-house expertise required. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2018
WPA3 standard approved with increased security
The new WPA3 Wi-Fi protocol aims to improve security for IoT devices and strengthen password security with protections against brute force attacks. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2018
Meltdown and Spectre pose low risk to networks
Security experts said Spectre and Meltdown pose a low risk to corporate networking gear. Nevertheless, vendor patches should be applied following thorough testing. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2018
VDI shops applaud vGPU live migration
Virtual desktop users are averse to downtime. A new capability from Citrix and Nvidia allows for live migration of vGPUs so VDI shops can keep graphics processing up and running. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2018
Channel key to future Avaya plans
With its shares going onto the New York Stock Exchange next week, the firm has outlined some of its growth plans, with the channel very much part of the future. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2018
Liqid composable storage gear prepped for debut
Liqid composable storage infrastructure is based on Liqid Grid's custom PCIe fabric switch and orchestration to provision bare-metal servers from disaggregated devices. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2018
NIST draft botnet report offers security suggestions
Federal agencies opened public comments on a draft botnet security report born from the 2017 White House cybersecurity executive order and experts are generally favorable. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2018
ONC proposes regs for Trusted Exchange Framework
Federal health IT officials under the 21st Century Cures Act have proposed regulations for health data information sharing, the Trusted Exchange Framework 'network of networks.' Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2018
Citrix Ultimate Rewards: Program aims to simplify channel incentives
Citrix Summit 2018: The virtualization and cloud vendor unveiled a new program structure for Citrix partner firms that will pull together five channel incentive programs under one umbrella. Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Jan 2018
Hyper-converged infrastructure solutions to set 2018 pace
In 2018, channel partners can expect to see continued demand for hyper-converged infrastructure solutions and greater traction in the flash storage market. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2018
ConnectWise partners to gain business help from HTG Peer Groups merger
ConnectWise plans to provide HTG Peer Groups' consulting, coaching and peer group services to a broad spectrum of its PSA software users; other news from the week. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2018
AT&T quickens U.S. rollout of 5G mobile services
AT&T plans to roll out 5G mobile services in a dozen U.S. markets by the end of the year. But details on the AT&T 5G services have not been released. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2018
Meltdown and Spectre disclosure flawed but impressive
Unprecedented Spectre and Meltdown CPU flaws required a vast coordinated vulnerability disclosure effort over six months and across dozens of organizations. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2018
Training in key areas being offered to resellers
The year is just a few days old and already vendors are making sure that the channel can get access to training to support some of the key areas. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Jan 2018
2017 in review: Top stories highlight IT industry trends
Before embarking on a new year of reporting on IT industry trends in the channel, we wanted to take a moment to review some of our 2017 coverage that struck a chord with readers. Not surprisingly, ... Continue Reading
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News
02 Jan 2018
Top UK and US firms still overestimating GDPR readiness
Less than five months before the compliance deadline for the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, most top UK and US firms are still overestimating their state of readiness, a study suggests. 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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News
22 Dec 2017
Cloud Harmonics: Distributor becomes Ingram business unit
Ingram Micro purchases cloud distribution firm and security tech specialist Cloud Harmonics; IBM previews Watson Build 2.0; other news from the week. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2017
Xerox MPS ambitions increase the focus on channel partners
Xerox continues to invest in its channel strategy, which includes a focus on helping partners win more sophisticated Xerox MPS deals. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2017
White House leaves out WannaCry details
The White House's WannaCry attribution included the broad strokes, experts say, but the case avoided some key pieces of information, such as the role of the NSA in the attacks. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2017
Enterprise storage market hints at big changes ahead
Disruption in the enterprise storage market appears unlikely to subside anytime soon. AI analytics, cloud, HCI, mergers and NVMe flash highlight key themes heading into 2018. Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2017
Triton attacks on ICS aim for real-world damage
Security researchers discovered new ICS attacks using the Triton framework that may have been nation-state sponsored and intended to cause real-world damage. Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2017
Juniper competing with Cisco, VMware in public clouds
Juniper Networks is extending the Contrail network virtualization platform to public clouds. The Juniper Contrail Enterprise Multicloud will compete with Cisco ACI and VMware NSX. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2017
Direct sales staff hiring woes give the channel a boost
Getting good direct sales staff is becoming an increasing problem, giving the channel a chance to step in and offer an alternative. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2017
Ransomware threat driving security spending
Customers are investing to make sure they can keep one step ahead of the cyber attackers, according to Canalys. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2017
Progress Health Cloud aims to create unified health IT
Disparate systems and siloes plague healthcare when what is needed is true healthcare IT integration. Progress aims to achieve this with its new Health Cloud platform. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Dec 2017
Container consulting: Channel can help deploy technology
Channel partners may find new business opportunities in container consulting as customers grapple with container adoption and how to achieve competitive advantage. 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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News
08 Dec 2017
Microsoft Malware Protection Engine patch released
A critical vulnerability found in the Windows Malware Protection Engine required an emergency Microsoft patch, but one expert said Microsoft hasn't handled the announcement well. Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2017
Juniper Bots automate routine networking tasks
Network automation gets a boost with new Juniper Bots apps for DevOps testing and network anomaly tracking. The apps are set for release next year. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2017
Ransomware, hyper-convergence top 2017 backup news
Ransomware made international headlines in backup 2017 news, and vendors looked to mitigate its effects. Vendors were also busy with acquisitions and hyper-converged backup. Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2017
Man pleads guilty in NSA data leak case
The former NSA employee reportedly responsible for exposing classified data to Russian government hackers pleaded guilty and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. Continue Reading
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News
01 Dec 2017
Digital transformation: Services firms may find work across verticals
An Ovum survey paints a picture of opportunity for IT services firms: Only a handful of IT execs believe they have fully realized digital transformation; other news from the week. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2017
Bosma Enterprises may resell assistive technology
Bosma deployed an indoor navigation system for its blind and visually impaired employees. Now the organization may resell the BlindSquare Event system to external customers. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Nov 2017
IT channel explores finer points of DevOps consulting
DevOps challenges are creating demand for IT consultancies such as Nebulaworks and Entisys, which both cite cultural changes as a significant customer pain point. Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2017
AWS plots reseller partner program revamp in 2018
Cloud giant plans to offer reseller partners more incentives and support through revamped channel program next year. Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2017
Azure Migrate service takes aim at VMware workloads
Microsoft hopes its Azure Migrate service will attract VMware workloads to its public cloud, but unlike AWS, it's without the virtualization giant's support. Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2017
Commvault 'HyperScales' protection strategy at GO
Commvault's strategy of sticking to software has given way to an integrated HyperScale appliance, which was front and center at its GO user conference. Continue Reading
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News
17 Nov 2017
To exist, businesses must undergo cloud transformation
Oracle roadshow keynoters count six alternative routes to adopting cloud computing technology, and they note that the best implementations demand a deep understanding of the customer. Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2017
Vulnerabilities Equities Process gets new charter
The White House wants a more open Vulnerabilities Equities Process and has unveiled a new VEP Charter in order to promote transparency in bug reviews. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Nov 2017
IT Nation 2017: ConnectWise Marketplace builds out vendor integrations
In conjunction with last week's IT Nation 2017 conference, hosted by PSA vendor ConnectWise, numerous vendors in the MSP software space launched integrations with the ConnectWise platform. The ... Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2017
Avaya updates partners on Chapter 11 progress
Avaya uses partner council event in Southern France to provide details to partners of its turnaround plans. Continue Reading
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News
10 Nov 2017
IT Nation 2017: ConnectWise sets sights on a 'connected ecosystem'
At its annual partner conference, PSA software vendor ConnectWise said it aims to build out its ecosystem of integrated vendors and highlighted its recently announced alliance with Cisco. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
08 Nov 2017
Three takeaways from Cisco Partner Summit 2017
Cisco Partner Summit 2017 is over, but the event's messages regarding software and multi-cloud will influence partners in the coming months. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2017
GDPR fines may affect almost 80% of US firms, poll shows
Most US companies risk fines for non-compliance with new European data protection laws that apply to all organisations processing any personal data of EU citizens Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2017
People ready to consider AI, but businesses must tackle ethics
Study from Sage finds technology early adopters and consumers are ready to try artificial intelligence, but there are concerns over ethics Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2017
Red Hat Ceph Storage 3 adds file, iSCSI, container support
Red Hat updates Ceph storage software with support for CephFS file system, iSCSI block interface and Linux container-based storage implementations, plus usability improvements. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2017
Kubernetes monitoring data storage refined in Prometheus 2.0
DevOps shops say an overhauled storage engine in Prometheus 2.0 will lead to new uses for the open source Kubernetes monitoring software. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2017
Russian sale hits Insight EMEA numbers
The sale of the Russian operation dragged down the EMEA performance for Insight in Q3 Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2017
Cloud security options evolve to ward off data breaches
The latest cloud security tools exemplify the major providers' varied approaches to address user concerns, and protect customers from themselves. Continue Reading
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News
03 Nov 2017
Riverbed SteelCentral update bodes well for partner Teneo
Riverbed unveiled enhancements to its SteelCentral technology, which forms the basis of partner Teneo's managed visibility-as-a-service offering; other news from the week. Continue Reading
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News
03 Nov 2017
VMware buys VeloCloud, aims at Cisco in the branch
The VeloCloud-VMware acquisition will mark the first time VMware will compete directly with Cisco in networking. Cisco, however, remains the 800-pound gorilla. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2017
Cisco specializations get streamlined amid program changes
At Cisco Partner Summit 2017, the networking vendor unveiled steps to simplify its channel program, while also rolling out a new industry expertise recognition effort. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2017
Riverbed boosting SD-WAN with Zscaler security
Riverbed releases upgrades to SteelCentral NPM to enable customers to apply network performance metrics to their SD-WAN connections. Also, Riverbed adds Zscaler security. Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2017
Cisco Partner Summit 2017: Vendor highlights Google pact
Cisco and Google Cloud executives took the stage at Cisco Partner Summit to talk about the companies' collaboration on hybrid clouds, containers and Kubernetes. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2017
RingCentral expands application integrations
Application integrations are becoming almost mandatory offerings among many cloud-based communications providers, and RingCentral just unveiled a bunch of them. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2017
Violin CEO says flash vendor on road back
All-flash pioneer Violin emerges from bankruptcy; 2018 plans call for profits, acquisition, NVMe deployments and software-defined scalability. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2017
Takeaways from ONUG's 2017 fall conference
The 2017 ONUG conference focused on new uses for SD-WAN, the development of standards and offered a sneak peek into emerging technologies, like containerization and automation. Continue Reading
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News
30 Oct 2017
SolarWinds MSP: Almost half of businesses to outsource IT security
Almost half of businesses are likely outsource their IT security, presenting a significant opportunities for service providers. Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2017
Equifax security failures were negligent, expert says
A security researcher reportedly disclosed a number of Equifax security issues to the company months before the major data breach, and none of the problems were fixed. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2017
Bad Rabbit connected to NotPetya attacks
The new Bad Rabbit ransomware spread through Russia and Ukraine, drawing comparisons to NotPetya, and researchers say the attacks were planned for a long time. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2017
Cisco faces product-overlap confusion with BroadSoft
After the BroadSoft acquisition, Cisco UCaaS will have overlapping products that will need sorting and services that could cause conflict with service providers. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2017
Channel firms benefit from Docker MTA strategy
The Modernize Traditional Applications program, unveiled at DockerCon 2017, is seeing traction among customers interested in adopting container technology, Docker partners said. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2017
Can CA Technologies be the elephant that learns to dance?
With its own digital transformation underway, CA Technologies wants to lead legacy mainframe software users into the world of cloud computing and agile development. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2017
McAfee aims to out-innovate adversaries
Security firm intends to break the cycle of playing cat and mouse with cyber attackers, according to its technology head. Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2017
Kaspersky Lab announces global transparency initiative
Faced with a US government ban and media reports alleging co-operation with Russian spies, Kaspersky Lab has announced a global transparency initiative. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2017
New P.180 connectivity service not a Panasonic partner play
Panasonic introduced a global connectivity service, while Cisco unveiled Business Critical Services and High-Value Services, and other news from the week. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2017
Perspica plus AppDynamics equals speedy DevOps monitoring
Cisco will combine Perspica with AppDynamics as it preps DevOps monitoring tools that distill data from the end-user experience to individual network switch ports. Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2017
Microsoft strengthens Azure Government cloud
Microsoft is helping government agencies to move toward digital transformation without sacrificing security with a new fortified cloud offering known as Azure Government Secret. Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2017
Confidence gap holding back potential channel recruits
Industry group CompTIA is working to help overcome some of the issues holding back greater diversity in the IT workplace. Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2017
Infoblox partners with McAfee to combine web and DNS security
Infoblox is to collaborate with McAfee to combine web and DNS security to deliver unified protection. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2017
Cisco cloud VP talks shifts in multicloud adoption
With assets in house or on various public clouds, enterprise multicloud trends have shifted as new models emerge, said Cisco's cloud czar. Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2017
Experts debate the risk of KRACK WPA2 flaw
Researchers discover a WPA2 vulnerability and brand it KRACK, but some experts say the early reports overstate the risk of the flaw and downplay the difficulty of an exploit. Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2017
Actifio sends Sky software deeper into clouds
Actifio's Sky goes beyond copy data management. It searches and manages data across clouds and on-premises storage with new analytics and a global catalog. Continue Reading