Brian Sherman Posts

Two industry innovators are being inducted into the IT Hall of Fame, a roll call of industry movers and shakers.

CompTIA’s Managed Services Community is building on its new engagement model at AMM, as members dissect key findings in a comprehensive survey that covers virtually every part of an MSP’s operations.

Members of CompTIA’s Canadian IT Business Community got an education in innovation at their most recent meeting. With a strong list of experienced professionals leading the way, the audience received not only valuable channel-targeted information, but a wealth of specific ideas they could implement in their own businesses.

A virtual CIO needs to understand technology plus all of its data protection and management options—and whether they know it or not, many solution providers fit that bill. Learn what preparation and skills it takes to be the ultimate virtual CIO for your clients.

There’s no room for complacency when it comes to commoditization, but most channel companies aren’t built to win a pricing war. The best alternative is to know your company’s priorities, add services and expertise where you can, and stay focused on your goals. Fair-weather plans will leave you scrambling for an identity, and you don’t want to end up like Radio Shack.

Wearable technologies — while interesting and sometimes intriguing — might not seem like the right fit for your business, but because of competition and the continued commoditization of this type of technology, there’s no better time to explore viable and profitable solutions in this space.

Business transformation is essential to success, so if your next business transformation isn’t already underway, it’s time to get started. Bring the team together, do some market and industry research and get the plan together ASAP. Your company’s future depends on it. Read more.

Managed services and proactive selling have helped solution providers address pricing issues in the past, but the commoditization of cloud solutions and hardware is fueling new pricing talks. While most channel professionals know that competing head-to-head with big companies offering “freemium” options is a losing proposition, there are ways to help your clients understand the long-term implications of these services — and whether they carry real value or not.

Why should you care about CES, with its focus on consumer electronics destined for brick-and-mortar retail and online sales? Because ignoring consumer electronics today means you’re ignoring the wants and needs of your business customers as well.

In this member profile, we talk to Lester Keizer about his impact on the IT channel, from board, community and council assignments to public advocacy efforts at the local and national levels. His current project involves the TechAmerica DC Fly-In, where he works to provide access and funding for rural IT education and school bandwidth, something this Nevada resident finds personally meaningful.