CompTIA Blog

Emerging architecture is the answer to the growing need for cost-effective, high-availability, high-bandwidth networks to keep pace with today's application demands, according to proponents of software-defined networking who spoke during the final session of ChannelCon’s Track4Techs.

The opportunity and change about to hit the IT channel far surpasses what’s happened in the last 20, according to AT&T’s Brooks L. McCorcle, a panelist at ChannelCon’s Channel Chiefs Power Panel. “We need to challenge ourselves to create new and different ways to go to market,” she said.

Patterned like Pardon the Interruption, Tuesday’s ChannelCon conference lunch was spiced up when two of the industry’s most respected — and opinionated — analysts took on some of the hottest topics impacting today’s IT channel.

IT channel firms looking for new sources of revenue should look first to current customers, a panel of channel executives said Tuesday at ChannelCon. “Present your customers with a complete picture of what you can do for them,” advised, Amy Hodge, director with ConnectWise.

Anyone can be innovative, according to futurethink’s Lisa Bodell, but real change requires a change in approach. During her keynote speech Tuesday at ChannelCon, Bodell told the audience, “Thinking has to become a daring act.”

Millennials have arrived in the IT industry — and they’re not the entitled, slacker generation we expected, according to Todd Thibodeaux, president and chief executive officer of CompTIA, during his state of the industry keynote speech at ChannelCon 2014. Instead, millennials are already making important changes in the industry.

In today’s complex business environment, a strategic marketing plan can help you make sense of the chaos — especially when it’s coupled with a strategic business plan.

The majority of companies grow by referral, but you can’t control your business if you live off referrals, according to Chris Wiser, CEO of TechSquad. During his talk at ChannelCon’s Managed Services Community meeting, he offered a series of quick marketing tips for channel firms.

With just days to go before CompTIA takes over Phoenix for ChannelCon 2014, you may think that we’ve been through all the reasons why you should attend. As it turns out, we have 145 more! We’re excited to host more than 145 media and industry partners exhibiting this year, giving you the opportunity to browse the latest and greatest channel products, solutions and partner initiatives — plus samples and deals found only at ChannelCon.

In today’s fast-paced and fiscally cautious business environment, it takes a flexible and proactive IT services organization to meet the needs — and demands — of commercial clients. Are you ready, willing and able to succeed when opportunities appear, even those that require significant and swift operational changes?

The portfolio prospects for solution providers have never been brighter, from advanced cloud solutions to the Internet of Things. But with so much effort required to transform an IT business — and the considerable time and fine-tuning it takes to prepare a new VAR offering for a full-scale rollout — providers, vendors and distribution executives should be investing time and attention into their future products and services.

CompTIA, the leading provider of vendor-neutral skills certifications for the world’s information technology (IT) workforce, today introduced a new version of its CompTIA Security+ exam.

TeamLogic IT-Memphis owner Drayton Mayers knows that his clients each require their own set of business solutions, but they all share one pressing need: airtight data security and privacy. “Every business owner wants to be assured of having the best protection for his or her data and network,” said Mayers, who made earning the vendor-neutral CompTIA Security Trustmark a top priority for his business.

Enhance your business by sitting in on three hour-long courses — available exclusively at ChannelCon — and earning a CompTIA executive certificate, which can help you expand your knowledge and skillset to target your company’s goals and objectives. The 2014 ChannelCon offerings include the Executive Certificate in Business Agility, the Executive Certificate in Channel Management and the CompTIA Online Executive Certificate in Cloud, Mobility or IT Security.

Leveraging its leadership on early-stage capital issues, the Utah Technology Council (UTC) has played a transformative role in the development and passage of legislation impacting Utah’s technology industry. Hear from Richard R. Nelson on how UTC is becoming the voice of technology in the state.