CompTIA Blog

We all have stood at the counter and made the big decision to get that big, juicy, fattening burger and then paired it with the proper super-sized drink only to hear, “Would you like fries with that?” We all know the sentiment behind the statement. The fries aren’t really all that important. Most VARs and MSPs focus on the main course in their business as well. Managing and monitoring servers, desk tops and other mission-critical software applications in your customers’ environment are very head ...

After several years working in the IT channel, both as an industry writer and software company employee, I look forward to attending events where I can catch up with my peers and immerse myself in discussions on essential technology business issues. Conferences tend to energize and inspire those who attend, providing insight needed to make improvements in their business and encouraging additional research on products, services and other topics that could shape their company’s future. In ...

A look at the week of January 24, 2011, in public advocacy for the IT channel This week, the House Ways and Means Committee will begin discussion on the controversial 1099 provision in the healthcare law.  CompTIA’s Business Confidence Index reports a promising outlook for the industry.  The Obama Administration’s cybersecurity efforts to date have received some criticism. Ways And Means To Discuss 1099 Tax Provision this Week — This week, the House Ways and Means ...

In this challenging economy, where the unemployment rate remains discouragingly high, IT jobs may be available but must be met by a skilled and ready workforce.  We maintain the Getting America Back to Work (GABTW) Program to provide a comprehensive process for assessing, training, certifying and placing unemployed individuals into entry and mid-level IT technical positions. We work through community colleges and partners for the training component. Funding for the training and certification vou ...

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend the “State of the Net” conference hosted by the Advisory Committee to the Congressional Internet Caucus held in Washington, D.C. The event was very well attended and there were numerous panels on a variety of public policy issues related to technology. Read on for a summary of the panels I attended.Online Privacy on Trial: Has Congress Given Industry Self-Regulating Long Enough?The discussion largely focused on providing a history of the developm ...

The channel is in a buying mood this week, from MSP business acquisitions to IBM stock, and a new distribution deal that should enhance the procurement process for ShoreTel partners. Is all this activity a sign the economy is back on solid ground, or could this be an indication of industry consolidation and a move to what many consider “safe investments”? You can be the judge, but several of this week’s topics provide fodder for that discussion.   Mergers and Acquisitions Ring in a Strong New Ye ...

Defining a term or industry adequately is hard work. Here’s a perfect example– how do you define “life”? Many have tried; it grows, reproduces, undergoes a complex set of chemical reactions to maintain growth and reproduce, and responds to stimuli. Sound like a thorough explanation? Not so fast— fire does all of these things, but clearly it is not living. Despite the difficulty of defining “life,” we all have a reasonable understanding of what it means when something is alive. Unified Communicat ...

A look at the week of January 17, 2011, in public advocacy for the IT channel An overwhelming majority of hospitals and many private practices are jumping at the opportunity to register for federal incentive payments for adoption and meaningful use of certified electronic health records.  Tech companies are proposing their own economic stimulus – more domestic investment in return for lower taxes.  The U.S. Department of Treasury became the first federal agency to use Amazon We ...

With the beginning of the 112th Congress now under way, the IT industry faces many challenges and opportunities.  The job of the our Public Advocacy staff is to make sure that your voice and your concerns are heard in the “People’s House”.  Nevertheless, it is only truly the people’s house if the stories and experiences of the people are what lawmakers hear and read about.  In the immortal words of Jerry Maguire, “help us to help you.”  A ...

One of the first orders of business for the new House of Representatives will be to address repeal of the new Form 1099 reporting requirement.  H.R.4, the “Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act of 2011” was introduced in the House on January 12, by Rep Dan Lungren (CA-3), along with 245 co-sponsors.  The clear indication is that support for this repeal is continuing to grow.Marking the bill as H.R. 4 indicates the significance placed on repeal by the majority; typically, high priority ...

Typically the week after the Consumer Electronics Show is rather mild for IT channel news, with the vendors and many VARs returning home and getting back to their day jobs. This year was different with a rather unusual timing for a consumer-oriented, but business-beneficial iPhone/Verizon announcement. While that news started a firestorm of blog and social media posts, several other notable topics hit the wires as well.   iPhone Rumors Come to an End (Finally!)It was the announcement many have b ...

Most people have heard the phrase "creative destruction". It has many different definitions, and according to Wikipedia, it can be traced back to Marx and his take on capitalism. In more recent years, creative destruction has described the results from rapid technological advance. But more often, meaningful technological change happens slower than we think over extended periods. And the degree to which one technology succeeds while another fails is tied to three things. Is the technology redunda ...

A look at the week of January 10, 2011, in public advocacy for the IT channel This week, the Senate moves forward with efforts to repeal the 1099 provision.  The House is considering legislation to enable foreign students studying science and technology to remain in the U.S. for work following graduation.  Construction began on a new $1.2-billion national cyber center in Utah.  As electronic medical record adoption gains steam, the Department of Health & Human Services plans ...

Despite claims to the contrary, most IT engineers aren’t born with the ability to rebuild a server or construct a computer network. Gaining those skills typically requires a significant investment in time and access to the resources of a professional training organization. In an industry where the product and service portfolios change with (what seems like) the speed of light, gaining a comprehensive understanding of computer systems, network infrastructures, and even document imaging can be a s ...

It’s a new year and a new legislative agenda prevails in the House. Fred Upton (R-MI) is the new chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, and he has named his subcommittee chairs: Subcommittee on Manufacturing and Trade Chair Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Greg Walden (R-OR), Subcommittee on Energy and Power Chair Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy Chair John Shimkus (R-IL), Subcommittee on Health Chair Joe ...