Here we go again! As I do each week, I am really enjoying bringing our readers a quick round-up of the blog coverage I didn’t manage to get to during the week prior.
In addition, here at SMB Nation, we are already gearing up for our annual fall event to be held Oct. 10-12 in Las Vegas at the Rio! We have been hard at work designing a brand new Web site specifically for this event, which you must check out today: http://fall.smbnation.com/. For additional information on the new Web site and our fall conference, check out our blog post here.
Speaking of live events, we have “virtual Harrybbb!” Harry will be participating in a BlackBerry podcast on Tuesday at 12 Noon PST; also don’t forget to register for our webinar this Thursday where we will release the results of our 7th Annual Salary Survey. Click here to register for this discussion, which will feature Harybbb talking with our Salary Survey research partner, Anurag Agrawal, CEO of Techaisle.
Please take some time to peruse a few snippets of information that we didn’t get a chance to bring you last week….let us also know if there was something we might have missed, which is not mentioned in this entry…because as you know…we love news!
1.) Canadian-Based VAR Leverages Dell to Ensure Customers’ Mission Critical Systems: Jordan Engineering, an Ontario-based software solutions group, is the latest Canadian VAR to join Dell’s PartnerDirect Channel Program. The company serves a broad range of process and mechanical industry sectors including pulp and paper, metal refineries, power generation, mining, water treatment, pharmaceutical, transportation, chemical compounding and utilities. Its new status as a Dell channel partner enables Jordan Engineering to better serve its customers through faster access to new product releases. As a channel partner, the company also benefits from access to Dell training and certification programs and pricing advantages that allow its business to remain competitive.
Jordan Engineering’s customers require high availability and reliability for mission critical systems that control machinery in manufacturing plants. A single server failure could result in financial losses of up to $50,000 per hour in production costs. Working with Dell, Jordan Engineering is now able to provide its customers with virtualized solutions that incorporate high redundancy, greater efficiency, scalability and enhanced functionality, at a similar cost to physical server solutions.
2.) AVG Launches CloudCare Platform for New Zealand, Australian SMBs: AVG Technologies announced last week the continued international rollout of AVG CloudCare, which includes AVG AntiVirus, AVG Remote IT, AVG Email Security Services and AVG Content Filtering; it is now available immediately to AVG resellers and managed service partners in Australia and New Zealand.
Key to AVG CloudCare is AVG Remote IT, a free administrative platform enabling resellers to offer genuine value-add to their customers, while reducing their own costs. AVG has integrated all the critical elements resellers need to monitor and troubleshoot their customers’ IT resources via the cloud, into a single, easy-to-use management platform.
3.) Broadview Networks' OfficeSuite Added to SYNNEX's SMB VoIP Portfolio of Services: Broadview Networks announced that its business phone system, OfficeSuite, has been added to SYNNEX Corporation’s SMB cloud-based VoIP service offering through its CLOUDSolv UC solution.
With access to Broadview’s OfficeSuite enterprise-grade cloud phone system, SYNNEX resellers can quickly and easily build a recurring revenue stream while solving their customers’ needs. OfficeSuite provides businesses of any size with an IP-based phone system, unlimited nationwide calling and an intuitive website to manage preferences.
4.) ScanSource Creates New Management Structure, Announces Promotions: ScanSource, Inc. now has a new management structure to enhance its worldwide technology markets focus and growth strategy. This worldwide management structure creates new leadership roles and reporting segments to globally leverage the Company’s leadership in specific technology markets.
As a part of this new structure, ScanSource has created two technology segments, each with its own President. The two segments are Worldwide Barcode and Security, which includes ScanSource POS and Barcode and ScanSource Security business units, and Worldwide Communications and Services, which encompasses ScanSource Catalyst, ScanSource Communications and ScanSource Services Group business units.
Glen “Buck” Baker has been appointed to the new position of President, Worldwide Barcode and Security. Baker most recently served as Interim President of ScanSource Europe, where he was responsible for strategic direction and leadership of the Company’s European operations, including its POS & Barcode and Communications business units.
Mike Ferney has been appointed to the new position of President, Worldwide Communications and Services. Ferney joined ScanSource in 1998 and most recently served as Vice President of Merchandising for ScanSource Catalyst where he managed the Company’s vendor relationships.
ScanSource’s management organization includes additional changes in support of the strategic technology focus. Rich Long has been appointed President of ScanSource Catalyst and ScanSource Communications, North America. Long previously served as Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications for ScanSource, Inc.
The Company has also appointed Scott Benbenek to the new position of Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations and Integration Support. Benbenek previously served as President of Worldwide Operations for ScanSource. His new worldwide focus on the Company’s logistics operations and customer service will enhance the sharing of best practices across all geographies to deliver increased value to resellers and vendors. In addition, Mr. Benbenek’s team will drive better integration of systems, programs and policies for the Company’s acquisitions now and in the future.
Andrea Meade was appointed to the new position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Executive Vice President of Corporate Development. Meade’s new role as CIO will include partnering with the Company’s business executives to drive positive business results by leveraging ScanSource’s investments in IT.
5.) Avnet Technology Solutions Recognized as HP Software Disty of the Year: Avnet Technology Solutions announced last week that it was selected as the HP Software Partner of the Year in the distribution category. This honor celebrates Avnet’s overall performance in North American HP software license sales through its solution provider community in 2012.
As one of HP’s largest enterprise distributors, Avnet worked closely with its HP solution providers to enable them to solve their customers’ business challenges with complete solutions designed for high-growth market opportunities, such as those related to big data, cloud computing and services.
