Monday Morning Impact – August 24

IBM Cloud Now Available Through Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace

Ingram Micro has announced the availability of IBM Cloud infrastructure on the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace; an ecosystem of buyers, sellers and vetted solutions that enables channel partners to configure, provision and manage cloud technologies and related subscriptions from a single, automated platform. The portfolio covers a variety of technology categories including infrastructure, security, communication and collaboration, business applications and platform, and cloud management services.

In effect, Ingram Micro now offers IBM Cloud infrastructure through SoftLayer in the U.S., with plans to expand the offering to additional cloud marketplaces worldwide, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Mexico, Netherlands and the U.K.

Offerings include SoftLayer Virtual Private Server, Bare Metal Recovery, and Network Gateway Appliances, along with other cloud offerings. These services can be deployed on demand with full remote access and control through a customer Web portal or API, supporting public, private or hybrid cloud environments.

“With SoftLayer in the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace, it is easier and faster for organizations to adopt in-country compliant cloud services that drive business innovation and transformation,” said Nimesh Dave, executive vice president, global cloud, Ingram Micro. “We’re committed to developing additional services for workload migration, capitalizing on our professional services capabilities.”

Channel Impact
The move brings together the combined synergies of two major brands in the tech industry, and also gives partners the opportunity to leverage IBM’s in-country compliance efforts.

Accuvant and FishNet Security Finalize Merger; Roll Out Security Services Strategy

Accuvant and FishNet Security have announced the global availability of the combined entity’s security program strategy services. These services—which were developed for and beta tested with Fortune 1000 companies worldwide—are intended to help customers plan, build and run business-aligned and threat-aware security programs.

“All organizations need some level of strategic support with their security programs, regardless of their program’s maturity level, to combat the evolving threat landscape,” said Jason Clark, chief strategy and security officer for Accuvant and FishNet Security, soon to be Optiv. “Our seasoned team of former Fortune 1000 CISOs is uniquely qualified to provide our proven methodology and the essential know-how that security leaders need to successfully create and execute strategies aligned to their company’s business objectives.”

Services include a week-long, on-site strategy assessment, and on-demand professional assistance intended to provide the security expertise and executive leadership that many companies find difficult to maintain on an in-house basis.

Channel Impact
Bringing two companies together as a single entity is never an easy task. The forthcoming Optiv Security offerings seem to be built with recognition that different customers have different levels of internal security expertise, and that the offerings aimed at the market need to be segmented in ways that meets those respective levels of need.

Passportal Unveils New Cloud Partner Program

Passportal Inc., a Calgary, Alberta-based security vendor, has unveiled a new global cloud partner program, providing VARs, MSPs and ISVs with the tools and training needed to rebrand and resell the vendor’s mobile-optimized password protection and management-as-a-service offerings.

The program features three volume-based partner tiers, and offers dedicated partner account managers, enablement resources and volume-based incentives such as lead generation, complimentary licenses, on-demand webinars, white-labeled marketing resources, and training.

“Having the ability to easily secure, protect and manage your clients’ passwords – as well as your own – anywhere, anytime is a mission-critical box every channel partner needs to check in order to deliver uncompromised IT security services and solutions,” said Colin Knox, Passportal’s founder and CEO.

The company intends to help grow the market with a new “Starter Package” which includes technical and sales training modules, 10 client-based user seats, and a variety of marketing tools. Channel companies not yet using Passportal can sign up for an Internal Use Starter Package by clicking here which includes the first 5 internal user seats.

Channel Impact
The need for products and services of this type are self-explanatory in the current IT landscape. Building a channel program positions this vendor to extend its footprint while controlling cost of sales.