Channel News Briefs: Week of July 13

Parallels Supports Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Program

Parallels, the platform provider for cloud service delivery, is supporting the new Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Program with Parallels SmartStart for Office 365. The new Microsoft provider program expands the opportunity for Microsoft’s channel to resell Microsoft Office 365.

The SmartStart program delivers a full range of Microsoft cloud solutions to any size service provider. Touted as a low-cost, fixed-price implementation of Parallels Automation, the program includes user training and certification, reference service plans and a customized storefront.

The new program complements the existing services on Parallels Automation, which include Windows Azure Pack, Microsoft Office 365 Syndication, Microsoft Lync 2013 Hosting Pack and Microsoft Exchange 2013.

Bluelock Becomes SAP-Certified Provider of Cloud and Hosting Services

Bluelock, a cloud-enabled managed hosting provider, has earned the status of a SAP-certified provider of cloud and hosting services for SAP products. Bluelock’s infrastructure, physical and logical security measures, processes, portal and technical staff were reviewed by SAP to validate the operational integration of its support of SAP applications to help ensure compliance with its requirements for quality, availability and security.

This certification ensures the capability of Bluelock to deliver high-quality cloud and hosting services for customers running SAP products. As a SAP-certified provider, the company can offer IT services ranging from initial proof-of-concepts to rapid deployments.

Plantronics Offers Pay-as-You-Go Subscriptions

Plantronics, a provider of audio communications, has announced the availability of its new Plantronics-as-a-Service program for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) and midmarket customers in the United States. The first new offering, Plantronics Device-as-a-Service, is a hardware subscription program that delivers a pay-as-you-go communications solution for cloud service providers.

Offered as a 12-, 24- or 36-month program, it is said to complement the cloud service provider’s subscription business model for SMB and midmarket businesses by adding a new recurring revenue stream by bundling Plantronics’ hardware and customer support. The company plans to add new products, services and countries in the future.

Arrow Adds Nutanix

Arrow Electronics has inked a distribution agreement with Nutanix, a provider of next-generation data center infrastructure solutions. Under the agreement, Arrow will distribute the Nutanix Virtual Computing Platform to its solution providers in North America. The platform is a converged solution, using Web-scale technology, that consolidates the computing and storage tiers into a single integrated appliance. Nutanix describes the Web-scale infrastructure as “a new approach to designing, deploying and managing data centers that are radically simpler and more efficient than data centers built using traditional IT products.”

The two companies expect the partnership to accelerate the adoption of Web-scale infrastructure in the market with a wide selection of price and performance options. Web-scale architecture and technologies were pioneered by Web companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon.

Corero Enhances Partner Program

Corero Network Security has launched its enhanced partner program to deliver its DDoS Defense System and SmartWall Threat Defense System to customers through its reseller network, which includes distributors, resellers and managed security service providers (MSSPs). The enhanced Corero Partner Program provides partners with additional educational and marketing tools, protected deal registration, as well as a pricing discount structure commensurate with the partners’ success selling the Corero systems.

The program consists of three tiers—Platinum, Silver and Gold—based on partners’ annual revenue goals and the number of certified sales and technical professionals on staff. Partners also have access to Corero’s Marketing Development Fund (MDF) for demand-generation and marketing activities such as webinars, hosted events and sales incentive programs.

Tribridge Unveils Channel Partner Program

Tribridge Concerto Cloud Services has introduced its new Channel Partner Program that features operational, technical and organizational support, as well as marketing and sales enablement tools, and a customized advisory process designed for rapid transition to a cloud model. These services include in-depth technical architecture and customer requirements evaluations, leadership/business development training and sales operations readiness, and a go-to-market strategy for cloud-specific marketing collateral.

Concerto Cloud Services offers an application platform, integration services and support for cloud delivery so partners can provide access to a compliant cloud solution anywhere, any time and on any device.