Year: 2005

  • Microsoft Launches the Next Generation of Certifications

    Microsoft Launches the Next Generation of Certifications

    John Hazard

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    Microsoft Corp. Monday unveiled what it called a new generation of certifications for partners and IT executives, more reflective of the skills required. The new certification map is three-tiered—Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Microsoft Certified IT Professional or Professional Developer, and Microsoft Certified Architect—intended to provide a more accurate demonstration of an individual’s skills and a… Read more

  • VARStreet Lends VARs a Marketing Hand

    VARStreet Lends VARs a Marketing Hand

    Pedro Pereira

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    VARs spend most of their time running their businesses and making sales, so marketing typically is not a priority for them. But failing to do basic marketing, even something as simple as configuring a Web site to drive online sales, means passing up business opportunities. With that in mind, VARStreet Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif.,… Read more

  • Digest: News from MaintenanceNet, Tech Data, Avnet

    John Hazard

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    MaintenanceNet says its data solutions are designed to bring order and usable data to VARs entering the managed services field; Tech Data is marrying its POS line with a data storage solution from an ISV to create a more functional solution; and Avnet is jumping into an open standards education program to cultivate the next… Read more

  • IDC: BPO to Grow 10 Percent Annually

    John Moore

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    The worldwide business process outsourcing market will expand at a 10.9 compound annual growth rate through 2009, International Data Corp. said this week. IDC called the market “vibrant and brimming with opportunity.” The market, according to IDC, will reach $641.2 billion in 2006 compared with $382.5 billion in 2004. IDC identified procurement and training as… Read more

  • AMD Casts a Wide Net with a First Commercial Channel

    John Hazard

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    AMD Inc., the world’s No. 2 line of microprocessors, is now available over the counter, so to speak. AMD on Monday took the wraps off the AMD Commercial Channel Access Program, the first of its kind for the Sunnyvale, Calif., company, making its line of microprocessors, flash memory and low-power processor solutions available to VARs,… Read more

  • AMD’s Challenge: Fixing an Image Problem

    AMD’s Challenge: Fixing an Image Problem

    Pedro Pereira

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    AMD has an image problem and the company knows it. It is a distant second to processor market-share leader Intel Corp., and as such, it is often perceived as the one with the less-desirable product. Pretty much all end users historically have gotten from AMD by way of marketing is the sense from print and… Read more