Channel Insider Staff

Channel Insider is the best destination for channel news and intelligence, but even we step out of our domain from time to time. Follow Channel Insider and our world-class experts in our extended communities. Like practically everyone, Channel Insider and its staff are updating our Facebook status, linking to professionals through LinkedIn and sharing our […]

SEATTLE (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp announced plans Thursday to open its own chain of branded stores as it looks to catch up with rival Apple Inc’s successful move into retailing. The world’s largest software company, which also makes the Xbox video game console and the Zune digital music player, did not say how many stores […]

The latest generation of Panasonic Toughbook notebook and tablet PCs will feature extended battery life, improved security, Intel Centrino processes, integrated Qualcomm wireless and management features previously only found in Dell and Hewlett-Packard machines. The Toughbook 30 laptop and Toughbook 19 tablet also come with a hefty price tag above $3,200. While other PC and […]

Channel Insider, the premier source of channel news and analysis, and Channel Savvy, a ground-breaking management consulting firm that provides training services to vendors and their solution provider partners, announced a new strategic partnership in which the two organizations will develop business self-assessment tools and best practices for technology solution providers.  Through the partnership, Channel […]

There’s no denying it: These are tough times. The economy is bleeding jobs. Companies are slowing spending. The government is running up more red ink to revitalize the economy. And many are questioning the viability of many industry stalwarts. The following are a selection of Channel Insider economic reports from the week. It’s not all doom and gloom, but it […]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp is considering significant layoffs across its various divisions, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the company’s plans. But plans for the cutbacks have not yet been firmed up and Microsoft could end up finding alternative methods to control costs, the Journal reported on its […]

ATLANTA (Reuters) – Bankrupt retailer Circuit City Stores said on Friday it will liquidate its assets after it failed to reach a deal with creditors and lenders regarding a potential sale of the company. Circuit City, the second-largest U.S. specialty electronics retailer, was due to present the results of an auction for its assets at […]

Dire Predictions Methodology The Dire Predictions list of vendors solution providers believe will either go out of business or be acquired in the coming year is a result of The Channel Insider 2009 Market Pulse Survey. The Market Pulse survey is a measure and analysis of North America channel activity and benchmarks for anticipated market […]

The SMB channel is drifting perilously close to forces that, if not tackled decisively, will change the nature of our industry. As any industry matures, initial sources of profit erode, yet those who adapt, thrive. When product resale profits started declining, solution providers added services. When SMBs adopted DSL, becoming more IT-dependent, and MSP (managed […]

When the throng of techies descent of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week, many will be looking for any news Microsoft has on Windows 7, the much anticipated replacement to the maligned Windows Vista operating system. Microsoft isn’t writing off Vista just yet, but it has extended the life of Windows XP […]

BOSTON (Reuters) – Two top Dell executives recruited to help turn around the No. 2 PC maker are leaving as part of the second major staff shake-up in the two years since founder Michael Dell returned as CEO. The company, once the top PC maker, has slashed jobs and struggled to regain market share it […]

In the two years since Windows Vista became generally available, it has been a target of critics and users alike. Microsoft has repeatedly tried bolstering its beleaguered operating system, but it has failed to captured the glory of previous releases. Channel Insider readers had a lot to say about Larry Walsh’s column, “Ode to Broken […]