Sick of Symantec? Alternative Security Vendors for SMBs Slide Show: A quick look at some security alternatives for skittish SMB resellers concerned about the Symantec's channel commitment. Study: Automation the Answer for MSPs News: To see real growth, MSPs need to invest in automation technology, such as monitoring and management, and standardize their processes, research shows. E-Mail Marketing Can Bring Incredible Bang for the Buck Feature: IMN's e-communications platform is driving hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales for SAP partners—some from customer leads that were years old. Symantec Does Damage Control News: Symantec channel chief Julie Parrish tries to quell the firestorm raging among its resellers, saying recent executive statements about increasing direct-sales efforts do not signal reduced commitment to VARs and distributors. Despite Economy, IT Employment Soars Opinion: June brought an all-time high for employment in IT, which has some of the most recession-proof jobs in the market. Get Your Resume Ready: IT Jobs Aplenty Blog: The outlook for hiring in the second half of 2008 is positive, and the skills shortage persists. Research Exclusive: Perspectives on Renewals Slide Show: Our survey shows that VARs, vendors and buyers all have very different takes on the all-important contract renewal talks. Lenovo: Out of the Gate with Intel's Centrino 2 Review: Lenovo's latest SL series notebooks may not be the thinnest or lightest around, but they do pack a punch thanks to Intel's Centrino 2 technology. 7 Steps to Building an Affordable Virtualization Server Slide Show: Why should large enterprises have all the fun when it comes to virtualization? Here's how to build an inexpensive virtualization server that brings virtulialized desktops to client PCs anywhere. Former HP Exec Admits Stealing IBM Documents News: Atul Malhotra faces 10 years in jail after giving his HP bosses confidential IBM documents detailing internal printing and imaging pricing. CDW: IT Staffing, Budget Outlook Brighter CDW's IT Monitor found that a growing number of companies will hire more staff in the coming months and that the majority of midmarket companies plan to increase IT spending. But smaller businesses are still feeling the pinch.