Monday Morning Impact – July 18

Rackspace to Offer Microsoft Azure and Office 365 through Channel

Rackspace will offer companies in the Rackspace Partner Network the ability to resell and refer Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Office 365, with Rackspace functioning as a two-tier Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP).

Through this expanded relationship with Microsoft, Rackspace partners will be able to utilize 24x7x365 Rackspace support for Office 365 and Azure, including customer migration and deployment assistance, support escalations, a dedicated reseller program team and support for sales and marketing.

“As a leading managed cloud company, Rackspace strives to provide the best expertise and service across the world’s leading clouds – including a broad selection of Microsoft products,” said Blake Wetzel, VP of channel sales at Rackspace. “Together, Rackspace and our partners can continue to help customers get the most out of Office 365 and Azure during this time of unprecedented growth in the cloud industry.”

Resellers can create unique product packages for customers with additional complementary products and services from Rackspace including Microsoft Private Cloud, Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Exchange.

Channel Impact^®
Rackspace is in a position to function as a key enabler in an area where channel partners are consistently looking to established increased efficiencies while driving additional value.

Tech Data to Offer Samsung Unlocked Smartphones and Samsung KNOX Security

Tech Data Corporation has announced a new agreement with Samsung Electronics America, Inc. to offer unlocked versions of several Samsung devices—including the latest Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge smartphones—and Samsung KNOX security and customization solutions.

“Samsung KNOX was built to address a top priority for today’s businesses—the need to secure data in an always-on, mobile world,” said Keith Fuentes, vice president of KNOX Sales at Samsung. “We are excited to work with Tech Data on this important agreement, which will enable more solution providers to benefit from the unlocked smartphone experience, backed by the enhanced security protection of Samsung Galaxy devices.”

Channel Impact^®
This alliance will likely provide opportunities for channel partners to add additional value through differentiated security technologies that serve the mobility space, which has rapidly emerged as a key component to the security sector.

SnapLogic Rolls Out New Partner Program to Support Integration Platform-as-a-Service

SnapLogic, which specializes in unified data and application integration platform as a service (iPaaS), has introduced their new partner program, dubbed “SnapLogic Partner Connect.” As part of the announcement, the company also kicked off a new certification program for consulting and services partners, and a new partner portal and e-learning site for partner enablement.

“The SnapLogic Partner Connect Program is an important part of our strategy for growing our business by providing the solutions our customers need to accelerate their own businesses,” said Jack Kudale, Senior Vice President, Field Operations at SnapLogic. “Together we are helping customers drive digital transformation through connected data and applications, whether on-premises, in the cloud, or both.”

Targeted partner types include technology partners, OEMs/MSPs, Global Systems Integrators, consultants and resellers.

Channel Impact^®
iPaaS is an area in which many partners are still kicking the proverbial tires, and looking for guidance from specialized vendors and service providers who can help with both the sales and technology components.