Monday Morning Impact – June 4

SolarWinds MSP Launches Security Resource Center

SolarWinds MSP, a Durham, North Carolina-based service management company serving solution providers and MSPs, announced the launch of its Security Resource Center, designed to make it quick and easy for MSPs to get the information they need about current security issues and trends, as well as recommended best practices.

The offering will provide real-time alerts and important information from the field, including “How-to Guides” and assets that are valuable to MSPs at every level. Security assets include an array of eBooks, white papers—including research conducted with Ponemon on The 2017 Cyberattack Storm Aftermath—infographics, and blogs.

The site will also feature “The Brown Report”—a monthly update from SolarWinds MSP vice president of security, Tim Brown—which looks at how the latest cybersecurity threats that may impact MSPs, and tackles each topic with an eye toward actions MSPs can take today to help stay ahead of threats and help keep their clients safe from cyberattacks.

“Security threats don’t discriminate, and MSPs are on the front line fighting to keep SMBs safe from cyberthreats,” said Brown. “Our goal is to help our partners spend less time searching through mountains of research, and encourage them to stay up-to-date on the latest security news by providing it in one convenient location, allowing them to spend more time managing their business.”

Channel Impact^®
The security space is such a fast-moving market segment that keeping up with threats, and remediation of those threats, is becoming increasingly difficult for people who also have ongoing customer demands that must be met. Resources such as this one can go a long way towards helping channel partners stay up to date on the latest developments.

Pure Storage Launches New Partner Program

Pure Storage, a Mountain View, California-based all-flash storage vendor, has rolled out a new partner program intended to better address the needs of the company as it gains stronger sales momentum.

The company’s offerings are designed to enable SaaS companies, cloud service providers, and enterprise and public sector customers to deliver real-time, secure data to power their mission-critical production, DevOps, and analytics in a multi-cloud environment that also meets the needs of next-generation technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The new program includes a Preferred tier, which is the entry-level tier for all partners. The top tier, marketed as “Elite,” is an invitation-only designation based on partners successfully establishing a Pure practice consisting of their demonstrated sales and technical competency, business specialties and services, a budgeted marketing plan, as well as meet a minimum number of partner-generated new customers.

Partners are re-evaluated for tiers annually.

The program includes standardized discounts and price lists, enhanced proposal and quote tools, enhanced technical specializations, and architect-level status.

“Pure Storage has always been selective with partners and this is why we have the best partners in the industry. As such, we knew it was time to evolve with them and launch a new Partner Program, so they can continue to grow and profit with the company,” said Michael Sotnick, VP, Partners, Services and Business Development. “The investment for the new Partner Program is our commitment to partners that we are going to continue to make sure they have the assets, resources and incentives to prosper with Pure Storage. Pure’s technology innovations open up new opportunities for partners to lead the way for artificial intelligence and machine learning.”

The new program goes into effect on August 1, 2018.

Channel Impact^®
The new program reflects growth and changes within the vendor, further supporting the needs of the channel and its partners’ need for continued profitability.

Tech Data Launches Cisco-Focused Workflow Platform

Tech Data has launched its Cisco 1Source portal, a new resource designed to help allied partners to manage operational workflows involving Cisco offerings. Managed from a single screen, the new platform delivers a suite of APIs that enable channel partners to customize business processes to make the best use of their resources and systems.

“It’s our charter to put our customers in the best position to win and grow in a sustainable fashion,” said Nicko Roussos, director of Cisco Solutions for the U.S., at Tech Data. “While the application is already intuitive, Tech Data encourages its partner community to leverage the white-glove onboarding approach to ensure maximum value is achieved.”

“Digitization of our business processes is critical to simplicity in the channel, and Cisco is investing in APIs and capabilities to help our partners lead in this arena,” said Andrew Sage, vice president of Americas Distribution, at Cisco. “Our goal is continuous improvement of the two-tier partner experience, and speed is of the essence.”

Partners can leverage the platform towards a variety of functions, including look-ups for estimated ship dates, tracking numbers and Cisco sales order numbers.

Channel Impact^®
As distributors are always looking for new ways to add value, Tech Data is working to reduce operational complexity to ensure transformation does not become an impediment. This new platform is intended to help channel partners navigate market transitions without having to make incremental operational or transactional headcount investments.