Monday Morning Impact – May 6

Cisco and Dimension Data Announce New Partnership

Cisco and Dimension Data have announced a new agreement intended to develop a deeper collaboration framework. Drawing on their respective core strengths, competencies, and technologies, the two companies are looking to jointly develop viable, readily deployable solutions.

Technologies of particular interest include 5G, Internet of Things, and Blockchain. Both companies plan to utilize Cisco’s global network of Co-Innovation centers to drive the collaboration initiative.

“This partnership means we’re in a stronger position to research, test and develop new offerings at a speed beyond the traditional market cycle,” said Ettienne Reinecke, CTO at Dimension Data. “By creating a deeper collaboration environment, we will share and leverage our intellectual property, including products and code, allowing us to move faster with a focus on applied innovation to challenge the art of the possible, which will result in some exciting innovations for our clients.”

“Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it requires diverse skill sets and multiple points of view,” added Cisco CTO Dave Ward. Co-innovation as a formal, structured process with our ecosystem is part of our foundation simply because the market demands it. It’s a way to speed the innovation, allowing us to move at the speed of digital and adopt startup methodologies to bring products and solutions into being.”

Cisco and Dimension Data have a collaboration history of more than 28 years, spanning solutions that include the cloud, the data center, and the network edge.

Additionally, the two companies plan to expand their Connected Conservation program to protect and better the planet, endangered animals, and their communities.

Channel Impact^®
This formal collaboration will likely demonstrate how vendors and integrators can work together to innovate beyond traditional products to solve business and operational challenges, allowing both companies to drive more ambitious projects and outcomes.

Gigamon Rolls Out Channel Program Focused on ISVs

Gigamon Inc., a Santa Clara, California-based vendor specializing in network visibility, has launched its “Catalyst Channel Program,” a partner framework designed to better leverage the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) ecosystem to accelerate demand creation and expand its reach into Global 5000 customers.

The program features updated technical sales enablement, additional training resources, a fully integrated partner portal, and a completely refreshed discount and incentive strategy.

“Our unparalleled investment in the Catalyst Channel Program strengthens our ecosystem by increasing partner training, providing stronger support tools, delivering greater market access and accelerated business growth opportunities,” said president/COO Shane Buckley. “This creates a winning formula for our ecosystem and maximizes value for our customers,”

“Gigamon is fundamentally changing how we go to market, and with partners initiating a significant portion of our business, it’s time to demonstrate our commitment to them in return,” added Michelle Hodges, Gigamon’s vice president of worldwide channels and alliances.

Channel Impact^®
Gigamon intends to work more closely with its ISV ecosystem, while at the same time enhancing ease-of-doing-business.

Automation Anywhere Invites Developers to Capitalize on RPA

Automation Anywhere, a New York-based Robotic Process Automation (RPA) company, has announced expanded opportunities for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), system integrators and software developers to create and generate recurring revenue from bots and digital workers in its Bot Store; an online marketplace for preconfigured downloadable RPA bots.

The Bot Store now offers developers a new distribution channel with access to thousands of enterprises that use the company’s Intelligent Digital Workforce platform. The platform uses software bots that work side by side with people to do much of the repetitive work in many industries, combining RPA, AI and embedded analytic technologies.

“We’re building a world-class ecosystem of developers that can enable enterprises to deploy automation faster and at a lower cost,” said Max Mancini, executive vice president of the Digital Worker Ecosystem at Automation Anywhere. “This is a win-win for both developers and business users and it further drives expansion of the bot economy.”

Developers can leverage Community Edition, a free offering that provides access to the full suite of Automation Anywhere’s products, as well as training programs and certifications. A community portal has also been made available, providing forums, information, support and share ideas and expertise.

Automation Anywhere claims more than 2,800 customer entities and 1,600 enterprise brands use their AI-enabled solution to manage and scale business processes faster and more accurately, while also reducing operational costs. Targeted verticals include financial services, insurance, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, telecom and logistics.

Channel Impact^®
The program is intended to help developers to more effectively monetize bots developed for RPA and AI – two fast-growing software categories.