Monday Morning Impact – July 27

By Ken Presti, Senior Consultant, Channel Impact

Centrify Launches New Channel Tier

Centrify Corporation has announced a new partner category for national system integrators and consultants as part of an overall plan to support and accelerate the deployment and identity integration of SaaS applications, including Office 365.

As part of the program, national systems integrators can now use Centrify’s identity platform to quickly provision and deploy Office 365 and other SaaS-based applications while also securing the perimeter for new applications and mobile devices. They can also accelerate provisioning other popular cloud apps like ServiceNow, Box, Salesforce, Docusign, Concur, and thousands of other SaaS and on-premises applications.

“Centrify Identity Service is built on Microsoft Azure, the same platform trusted by Microsoft partners for apps like Office 365” said Craig Gadberry, senior director of business development at Centrify. “Our new category in our partner program is enabling the secure deployment of new cloud applications through the use of our Azure-based cloud identity platform, while leveraging customers’ existing identity infrastructure investments.”

Centrify’s platform of integrated software and cloud-based services is designed to secure and unify identity for both privileged and end users across the cloud, mobile infrastructure and the data center.

Channel Impact
Identity integration supporting the deployment of cloud applications can be complex and time-consuming.  Look for this program segment to be used as a venue to help educate and provide enhanced simplicity.

Rackspace Unveils Support for Microsoft Azure

Rackspace, the San Antonio, Tex.-based managed cloud company, has expanded its Microsoft service offering by adding Microsoft Azure to it services mix.

Rackspace intends to help customers accelerate their deployment of Azure, minimize costs and optimize performance by providing application and infrastructure architecture guidance. The company will also offer hybrid cloud solutions that combine Rackspace Private Cloud powered by Microsoft’s Cloud Platform and Azure.

“Our strategy at Rackspace has always been to provide the world’s best expertise and service for industry-leading technologies — including a broad selection of Microsoft products,” said Taylor Rhodes, CEO at Rackspace. “We’re pleased to expand our relationship with Microsoft and the options we provide for our customers by offering Fanatical Support for Azure. By adding support for Azure to our portfolio, we can now serve customers who want public, private and hybrid cloud environments built on the Microsoft Azure Stack.”

Customers can opt for a support-only package, or a bundle that includes both support and infrastructure.

Channel Impact
Building service packages around prominent vendors is a tried-and-true strategy for success. This can work well for Rackspace.  It also can help Microsoft and its partners to gain market penetration.

Tech Data Appoints John Tonnison to Lead Global Cloud Strategy and Operations

Tech Data Corporation has appointed John (“JT”) Tonnison to lead the strategic direction, operations, and go-to-market execution of the company’s worldwide cloud business.

Tonnison will continue to serve as the company’s executive vice president, chief information officer (CIO), a position he has held since 2009. In his expanded role, Tonnison will oversee Tech Data’s cloud leadership in the Americas and Europe and will continue to report directly to Bob Dutkowsky, the company’s chief executive officer.

“As we continue to invest in supporting our customers on their journey to hybrid computing, we recognized the need for dedicated global leadership of this strategic focus area for our company,” said Dutkowsky. “JT has played an integral role in setting our global strategy and leads a high-performing, multicultural, international organization that has a tremendous depth of experience as practitioners of cloud and hybrid solutions, integration, and migration. His outstanding business mind and understanding of the IT channel, combined with his understanding of technology and its real-world applications, make him an ideal leader to drive growth in cloud offerings for Tech Data and our channel partners.”

Tonnison joined Tech Data in 2001 as vice president, Worldwide E-Business. He was promoted to senior vice president, IT Americas in 2006, and in 2009 was named executive vice president, CIO. Prior to joining Tech Data, he held executive management positions with TSN, Ameriquest, Log 2000, Frontline Distribution, and Mancos Computers.

Channel Impact
Well-known to the organization, Tonnison is likely a fine choice.