Arrow, Rackspace Ink Distribution Agreement
Arrow Electronics added Rackspace, a managed cloud company, to its cloud service portfolio in the United States and Canada. Under the agreement, Arrow solution providers can join the Rackspace reseller program that provides volume discounts, pre- and post-sales support and access to help desk and financing services.
The Rackspace managed cloud portfolio includes public multi-tenant, private and dedicated single-tenant cloud servers, as well as data stores, e-commerce, digital marketing and VMware-powered solutions.
The Rackspace solutions are available through ArrowSphere, Arrow’s cloud services platform for the channel (including managed service and solution providers and independent software vendors). The agreement is expected to extend Rackspace’s reach into the enterprise segment.
Accenture, Alcatel-Lucent Forge Alliance
Accenture and Alcatel-Lucent formed an alliance to help communications service providers and large enterprises implement integrated ultra-broadband solutions. The alliance is aimed at addressing rising costs and increased data consumption caused by high demand from digital customers and applications, said the companies.
Under the agreement, the two companies will form the Accenture Alcatel-Lucent Business Group. Leveraging Alcatel-Lucent’s IP networking software platforms and products with Accenture’s systems integration and transformation capabilities, each company will dedicate sales and delivery resources to jointly provide products and services for customer care for mobile devices based on Alcatel-Lucent’s Motive line of products. The companies also will look at small cell wireless network solutions with a focus on integrating cellular technology and WiFi between service providers and large enterprises.
Nebula, Synnex Team Up to Simplify Private Cloud Deployments
Nebula, an enterprise private cloud company, and Synnex, an IT distributor, announced the Orion Alliance for the rapid deployment and delivery of a fully integrated and turnkey private cloud solution. Aimed at providing an open standards private cloud solution for the enterprise with simplified procurement options for customers, the program delivers certified and tested solutions for both turnkey integration and delivery of hardware and software applications across vendor platforms.
In addition, it offers an OPEX-driven pricing model where the integrated solution is paid for as-a-service through Synnex’s exclusive utility financing program, which removes up-front costs for customers.
RGS Expands Education Portfolio
RGS, a unit of Avnet, expanded its digital education portfolio for schools with the introduction of the RGS Wi-Fi 1:1 Learning System for Windows. This digital learning solution is compatible with Microsoft Office, Office 365 and education applications available through Microsoft.
The learning system for Windows includes a device, accessories and supporting services for set-up, warranty management and call center support. The technology is available in two form factors (traditional laptop and two-in-one tablet with detachable keyboard), and users can access supplemental content via a learning management system or directly from a number of digital content publishers.