New Year's is always a period of change. We make resolutions to better ourselves, plans to grow our businesses and goals for the future. Change is often for the better.

As we turn the calendar to start 2009, Channel Insider is making a change for the better: a new look and design for our Web site.

As you'll see on our new Web site, our new logo and tagline reflect the mission of Channel Insider: to empower the next-generation channel by providing you—technology solution providers, distributors and vendors—with the very best insights, analysis and guidance on technology and market trends.

The site redesign is relatively simple. You'll find featured content—such as our opinion columns, research reports, technology exposes, product reviews and other probing articles and packages—in the right-hand column. In the center column reside the daily news and analysis reports that you depend on. And the left column houses our premium content—such as Channel Insider Video, the OnForce services pricing index, the Changing Channels podcast and featured advertisements.

The result of this new design is an easy-to-navigate and exciting presentation of the content that you rely upon to make business and technology decisions.

But these changes are only the cosmetic side. Channel Insider is about empowerment of solution providers through deeper intelligence and guidance. We understand that the daily news is interesting, but not always actionable, and is often fleeting in its utility. Our goal is to provide you with lasting information and resources that you will revisit time and again.

We have enlisted the support and cooperation of some of the best channel experts in the business. Through the newly formed Channel Insider Alliance, Channel Insider is working with Amazon Consulting, Channel Savvy, The ASCII Group, RocketComm and OnForce to develop the tools and resources you need and desire.

In the coming weeks, you'll find new and exciting special sections designed to provide you with deeper insights into the technologies that you sell and support, as well as business best practices that will make your solution provider more solvent and profitable.

Let us know what you think about the new Channel Insider: Click here to share your thoughts, critiques and suggestions.

Channel Insider is dedicated to making your solution provider business more valuable, efficient and profitable. Your success is the ultimate measure of our success.

Lawrence M. Walsh is vice president and group publisher of Channel Insider.