CIO Strategy: Page

Sales verticals and how MSPs can target them

Selling to vertical markets can seem like a daunting prospect for managed service providers. Read on for six tips to get you started on a vertical sales journey.

By John Moore • Sept. 26, 2019

Managed IT services glossary: Terms of the trade

Managed service providers represent an important subset of the channel partner ecosystem. Browse the terms below to sharpen your understanding of MSPs and their service offerings.

By Spencer Smith • Sept. 26, 2019

Pros and cons of RPA platforms vs. APIs

Because RPA and APIs are considered competitive approaches for automating business processes, we compiled a list of pros and cons to ensure you're getting the most out of each one.

By George Lawton • Sept. 5, 2019

Accenture Labs explores quantum computing applications

Accenture Labs has patented a method for identifying workloads suitable for quantum computing applications, which the company believes will span scientific and business use cases.

By John Moore • July 24, 2019

Automation Anywhere’s Microsoft pact indicative of hot RPA market

RPA vendor Automation Anywhere said it's poised to take full advantage of the burgeoning RPA market. Its recent deal with Microsoft is just one indication of RPA's popularity.

By David Needle • July 9, 2019

RPA use cases that take RPA to next level

Taking RPA use cases to the next level entails automating complex processes, establishing a governance program and using management techniques such as Six Sigma.

By Mary Pratt • June 17, 2019

4 steps to remain compliant with SOX data retention policies

Data retention policy is inherent to Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance. In this tip, learn SOX data retention best practices to remain regulatory compliant.

By Judith Myerson • June 13, 2019

statement of work (SOW)

A statement of work (SOW), in project management, is a document in which a contracting officer or chief procurement officer (CPO) specifies the objectives and deliverables for a particular project or service contract.

By John Moore • May 8, 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.

By Nicole Lewis • April 11, 2019

professional services

A professional service is an intangible product that a contractor or product vendor sells to help a customer manage a specific part of their business.

By Margaret Rouse • March 24, 2019

Succeed at implementing RPA: Top tips from execs at IBM Think

Implementing RPA requires planning and coordination between multiple parts of the business to be effective. Execs at IBM Think share tips on how to craft a winning RPA strategy.

By George Lawton • Feb. 15, 2019

service-level objective

A service-level objective (SLO) is the part of a service-level agreement (SLA) that documents the key performance indicators (KPIs) the customer should expect from a provider. In addition to specifying details about the service being purchased, an SLO also documents what the consequences will be if SLOs are not achieved.

By TechTarget Contributor • Jan. 22, 2019

Free IT mission statement examples for CIOs

These free IT mission statement examples and how-tos can help CIOs and their IT departments identify and refine their organizational goals.

By Linda Tucci • Jan. 21, 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.

By Paul Korzeniowski • Jan. 7, 2019

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.

By John Moore, Stephen Bigelow • Dec. 28, 2018

sales lead

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

By Spencer Smith, John Moore, Stephen Bigelow • Dec. 21, 2018

hosted services

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

By Ivy Wigmore, John Moore • Oct. 30, 2018

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.

By Spencer Smith • Sept. 25, 2018

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.

By Spencer Smith, Jennifer Anaya, John Moore • Sept. 13, 2018

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.

By Spencer Smith, Leah Rosin, John Moore • Aug. 16, 2018

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.

By John Moore • July 19, 2018

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.

By Spencer Smith, Ivy Wigmore • July 18, 2018

Evergreen Services Group: New deal to up MSP revenue to $40M

MSP market M&A: Evergreen Services Group is acquiring SMB service providers that generate most of their business via monthly recurring revenue; more news from the week.

By John Moore and Spencer Smith • July 13, 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.

By Esther Shein • July 2, 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.

By John Moore • June 11, 2018