Monday Morning Impact – October 23

Ingram Micro Cloud Teams Up with Samsung in DaaS Initiative

Ingram Micro Inc. is helping drive consumer adoption of mobile virtual desktop technology with the launch of a simplified cloud store for Samsung DeX customers. The solution automates the setup of Amazon WorkSpaces and Microsoft Windows Desktop as a Service (DaaS) for Samsung Galaxy Note8, Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ and Samsung DeX users.

By combining Samsung DeX with Amazon WorkSpaces, users can access their own Microsoft Windows virtual desktop, files and applications without the need for advanced IT capabilities.

“Using our robust platform and technical expertise, the Ingram Micro Cloud services team has created this simplified and automated solution for Samsung mobile users to easily get set up and use a virtual Windows desktop,“ said Tarik Faouzi, VP, Global Cloud Partners and Solutions at Ingram Micro. “This collaboration demonstrates Ingram Micro Cloud’s commitment to empower every user and partner by reducing the complexities of access to innovative cloud technologies.”

“Running all of your Android and Windows programs from your Samsung Galaxy Note8 and S8/S8+ on Samsung DeX is something you have to experience to believe,” said Mok Oh, VP, Business Development at Samsung Electronics. “We have worked with Amazon Web Services and Ingram Micro Cloud to make this accessible to more users, enabling you to be more productive from anywhere.”

Amazon WorkSpaces will also be available to Ingram Micro’s reseller partners in the US later this year. This will allow Ingram Micro partners to create a complete mobile desktop solution for their business customers by bundling the Galaxy Note8 or Galaxy S8/S8+ and DeX Station with Amazon WorkSpaces, along with their choice of additional cloud services from the Ingram Micro portfolio.

Channel Impact^®
This move should bring the conveniences and efficiencies of DaaS within reach of SMBs, as well as enterprise customers.

ForeScout and CrowdStrike Form Strategic Alliance for Advanced Security

ForeScout Technologies, Inc., an IoT security company, and CrowdStrike, an endpoint security company, have jointly announced a strategic alliance that will leverage both product lines towards enhanced visibility, threat detection and security response for joint customers. Through this partnership, the two companies will monitor threats across endpoint and network tiers, share threat analytics and extend protection and policy control to unmanaged BYOD and IoT devices.

“Enterprises continue to be impacted by massive data breaches and cybersecurity attacks largely due to blind spots caused by undetected devices,” said Michael DeCesare, president and CEO of ForeScout. “The collaboration and joint value of two market-leading cybersecurity companies will provide our customers with increased visibility and advanced threat analytics for better protection against malicious activity.”

Aside from visibility threat intelligence, and posture assessment across network-connected devices, potential benefits include improved agent health and compliance, joint threat hunting for Indicators of Attack (IoAs) across endpoint and network tiers, and automated threat response.

The two companies also intend to build an integrated solution to further support their joint customers through delivery of a more cohesive security posture that can be delivered independently.

Channel Impact^®
The rise of network-connected devices has increased the general attack surface, making it more difficult for organizations to prevent, detect and respond to cyber attacks. ForeScout and CrowdStrike are seeing synergies that they believe will strengthen their combined value proposition and better protect their joint customers.

FireMon Ignites Partner Program

FireMon, an Overland Park, Kansas-based security vendor, has launched its new FireMon Ignite Partner Program. The refreshed program is designed to appeal to a wider range of channel partners, including resellers, distributors and Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

Enhancements include e-learning upgrades, as well as a mobile-friendly portal that gives partners direct access to sales tools, deal registration mechanisms, and marketing campaigns. Criteria for advancement within the program are based on the participant’s market, goals and objectives.

“By creating a mobile, flexible learning experience with certification opportunities and a business-oriented curriculum, we’re enabling our partners to adapt to the rapidly changing demands of their customers,” said Kurt Mills, FireMon’s VP of Worldwide Channel Sales & Operations. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone who joins our partner network gets the support they need to sell at the enterprise level,” said Mills. “I can say with confidence that we have delivered on that goal with a fully staffed, experienced channel team in North America and abroad.”

Portal logins and account creation are already up 265% compared to the same timeframe in 2016. Deal registrations have increased 25% year over year.

Channel Impact^®
The need to appeal to a wide variety of partner business models has become a pervasive issue among all vendors doing business through the channel. Efforts and resources spent on establishing versatility can bring solid returns.