Monday Morning Impact – January 8

Ingram Micro and IBM Team-Up for Cognitive Mobile Security

Ingram Micro is helping to drive AI-powered cloud technology with the addition of IBM MaaS360 with Watson on the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace, the Irvine, California-based distributor’s e-commerce platform. According to Ingram Micro, the platform offers more than 200 vetted cloud services to more than 44,000 resellers globally.

IBM MaaS360 is a comprehensive, cognitive enterprise mobility management (EMM) platform that deploys devices, delivers productivity apps and enables content collaboration across endpoints, users, apps, docs, and data. Supported platforms include iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.

“Through leveraging the power of MaaS360 with Watson, IT leaders can proactively manage and secure endpoints with actionable insights that maximize the return on investment for their mobile strategies,” said Carola Cazenave, vice president of Security Routes to Market at IBM.

IBM MaaS360 is now available to U.S. partners via the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace, which now boasts more than two million managed seats worldwide. Availability is scheduled to be extended internationally throughout 2018.

Channel Impact^®
This expanded relationship with IBM Security will likely assist Ingram Micro’s allied channel partners in delivering a tested and validated endpoint security solution to their enterprise and SMB customers with relative ease and speed. Furthermore, augmented intelligence and contextual analytics from Watson is expected to help organizations identify risks, opportunities, and efficiencies to make more informed decisions for their endpoint and mobile strategies.

Aryaka and Zscaler Launch Cloud Security Partnership

Aryaka, a San Mateo, California-based SD-WAN provider, has announced a new technology partnership with cloud security vendor, Zscaler, to deliver a jointly developed global SD-WAN and cloud security offering.

The combined solution is designed to secure enterprise cloud and Internet traffic using comprehensive threat prevention, including cloud sandboxing, antivirus, DNS security, data loss prevention, access security, file controls, URL/DNS filtering, a next-generation firewall and other features.

Aryaka’s Global SD-WAN promises SLA-based connectivity and faster application performance. Zscaler provides advanced security controls needed for Internet and cloud-bound traffic, such as threat protection, data protection, and access control capabilities. The Aryaka edge device can forward Internet and cloud-bound traffic directly to the Zscaler cloud.

“With the rapid proliferation of cloud services and SaaS applications, Internet-based SD-WAN solutions fall short of meeting application performance expectations and security needs of globally distributed enterprises,” said Aryaka CMO Gary Sevounts. This results in significant business execution challenges.”

“The cloud has caused enterprises to rethink traditional approaches to network and security solutions in a world where the datacenter is no longer the de facto destination,” said Punit Minocha, Zscaler’s SVP of Business and Corporate Development. “A globally distributed workforce should have fast and secure and unfettered access to the cloud, and we are proud to be working with Aryaka on a solution that supports enterprise-class connectivity and enables wider adoption of local Internet breakouts, providing the performance, security, and agility needed in today’s cloud-first world.”

Stated benefits include reduced network complexity, higher speed of deployment, and reduced costs and maintenance.

Channel Impact^®
This partnership provides the opportunity for channel partners to help enterprise customers leverage secure cloud-native private network connectivity, as well as secure cloud access; both through a unified solution.

Xerox Adds Multi-Brand Dealers on Both Coasts

Xerox has announced the addition of two new partners to its indirect sales network.

Hilyard’s Business Solutions has served Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland for more than 50 years, offering office equipment, document management and voice solutions, and managed print and IT network services. Xerox has also signed Rabbit Office Automation, a provider of workplace technology, document management solutions, and managed print and IT services in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“We’ve made great progress in expanding our channel partner program [in 2017],” said Darren Cassidy, president of Xerox’s U.S. Channels. “The addition of the highest quality multi-brand dealers like Hilyard’s Business Solutions and Rabbit Office Automation to our portfolio continues our momentum to penetrate the SMB market, bringing the value of our workplace assistants to businesses of all sizes.”

During 2017, Xerox signed more than 50 new document technology partners in the United States and Western Europe. The agreements reinforce Xerox’s efforts to seize a larger share of the small- and medium-size business (SMB) market by broadening its multi-brand dealer base.

The dealers are joining Xerox on the heels of the biggest product launch in the company’s history—the introduction of 29 printers and multifunction printers, which comprise the AltaLink and VersaLink product lines.

Channel Impact^®
The signings reinforce Xerox’s commitment to penetrate SMB market by building and expanding indirect sales channels.