Author: Nick Farrell

CyberGRX brings partner programme to UK

Posted on March 8, 2021 by - News

CyberGRX is bringing its partner programme to the UK to help its channel scale efficiently and meet demand.

CyberGRX’s Global Partner Programme will come in the form of a four-tiered channel programme that incentivises partners based on their level of commitment to CyberGRX. Resellers, systems integrators, consultancies, MSSPs and distributors can all receive a guaranteed margin structure which is not only lucrative for their own business but helps drive a predictable revenue stream.

The big idea is that partners will take advantage of many growths or business development programmes such as joint marketing campaigns, market development funds, internal comp neutrality, easy deal registration, co-selling, sales incentives, and many others.

 Partners will initially can take advantage of training from CyberGRX on risk management so that they understand the TPCRM components that create an effective risk management strategy to protect businesses. The programme will then guide partners through the sales process and provide a guaranteed margin on every sale allowing for a more predictable revenue stream.

Sapphire Systems buys InCloud

Posted on March 5, 2021 by - News

Sapphire has announced it has acquired SAP Business ByDesign partner InCloud Solutions.

The move is to strengthen Sapphire’s  ERP offering and accelerate growth. The company said that the move will expand its Business ByDesign expertise, as well as help consolidate its position as a top SAP partner.

InCloud Solutions offers a portfolio of SAP aligned products that will enable Sapphire to strengthen its ByDesign capabilities, as well as benefit from its team of skilled employees.

The deal is Sapphire’s third this year and follows the recent acquisitions of ITOM Solution and Pioneer B1.

Dell opens RISE channel programme in EMEA

Posted on March 5, 2021 by - News

Dell has launched its RISE channel programme for partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The big idea is to make life simpler for partners, particularly those that operate across multiple countries in EMEA and increase the rewards for top sellers.

RISE will have four partner levels – ignite, boost, advanced and elite – and is aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) partners be more competitive and provide them with a clear path to level up rewards.

Those rewards are given out on a per-box basis through Dell’s distributors and can be tallied up and then redeemed at the end of each quarter. Ignite and boost partners will get e-vouchers and advanced and elite can get credit notes at their distributor.

Comtec launches new training programme

Posted on March 4, 2021 by - News

IT solutions provider Comtec Enterprises has launched the Comtec Training Academy, a five-stage training programme that will see Comtec’s engineers train employees to become efficient engineers in three-to-six months.

Comtec Enterprises CEO  Nick Claxson said: “By delivering this intensive training programme we are ensuring that all Comtec employees have a base level understanding of core technology and vendor fundamentals, and can therefore provide a consistent service to our clients. With this model for creating knowledgeable, experienced engineers in a short time frame, we can encourage applicants from all backgrounds and education levels to enrol with us and find a lasting, rewarding career.”

Trainees enrolled in the Comtec training academy will receive a personalised training plan including video training, one-to-one mentoring, and practice test training to ensure they are equipped for certification tests. Key books, online resources and any other learning materials will also be provided to support their training.

DPR teams up with Six Degrees

Posted on March 4, 2021 by - News

Banking software provider, DPR, has announced its latest technical partnership with Six Degrees as it continues to expand its Microsoft Azure integration.

The new partnership adds additional strength to DPR’s existing Azure hosting and managed services. It uses Six Degrees’ cloud pedigree, security capabilities and track record in working with the financial services sector to provide DPR clients with performance, agility, security and cost benefits across the DPR applications.

DPR said it is committed to improving client experience and ensuring its clients remain at the forefront of the banking sector. The group claims it has invested heavily in developing its technologies and expanding its Azure offering, including becoming a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), to deliver Origination and Servicing of Mortgages, Savings and Loans as a fully managed service.

Ultima buys Just After Midnight

Posted on March 4, 2021 by - News

Automation and infrastructure service provider, Ultima Business Solutions, has acquired the cloudy Just After Midnight, a global cloud services provider.

Just After Midnight will form a new cloud and application services division within Ultima and will continue to scale its support for brands and their digital agencies.

Just After Midnight brings with it a global 24/7 support and services capability located in London, Australia, Singapore, and the USA.

SoftwareONE snaps up ITPC

Posted on March 3, 2021 by - News

Cloudy software outfit SoftwareONE has acquired SAP outfit ITPC

For those not in the know, ITPC is an SAP specialist for S/4HANA transformations, public cloud migrations and related managed services offerings, including monitoring, maintenance and support.

Founded in 2006 and helps customers with updating, migrating, modernizing and operating SAP ERP solutions. It has around 50 experienced consultants, ITPC assists customers with S/4HANA adoption on public cloud hyperscale platforms, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google cloud (GCP), as well as managed services.

ITPC Group currently serves businesses mainly in the DACH region. Following the transaction, ITPC will be fully integrated into SoftwareONE’s global SAP practice and European operations.

Node4 gets new backer for expansion

Posted on March 3, 2021 by - News

Cloudy MSP Node4 has a new equity backer to help in its expansion plans.

Providence Equity Partners, an equity firm that specialises in the media, communications, education, software and services industries and no one is saying how much cash is involved.

Over the past five years, Node4 has achieved strong organic growth through significant new customer wins and the provision of a broader range of information and communications solutions to its existing clients. During this period, significant investment has been made in people, systems, skills and the product portfolio, which has positioned Node4 to capitalise on the opportunity for cloud-led digital transformation growth.

Exclusive Networks appoints Ferrand-Ajchenbaum as vendor Tsar

Posted on March 3, 2021 by - News

Exclusive Networks appointed international channel veteran Denis Ferrand-Ajchenbaum to lead its global vendor strategy.

The outfit said that Ferrand-Ajchenbaum  brings a proven scorecard of vendor success to his role where he will be responsible for maximising the value and global penetration of existing vendor relationships while scouting and acquiring the next generation of Exclusive Networks’ trust digital infrastructure portfolio.

Ferrand-Ajchenbaum is an ex-Arrow and IBM senior executive brings over 30 years’ leadership experience and extensive C-level connections gleaned from his Silicon Valley background and presence across technology forums.

Exclusive Networks CEO Jesper Trolle said: “Denis has exactly the right skills and experience to strengthen and harmonise our blend of vendor alliances, bringing huge growth opportunities to all our partners around the world. Having worked alongside him for many years, I am confident that Denis will hit the ground running and play a pivotal role in our future success.” 

Cummings has set up an IT consultancy

Posted on March 2, 2021 by - News

Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, the ever-popular and charismatic Dominic Cummings, has set up an IT consultancy firm in the UK.

Founded on 25 February, the new venture is billed as an “information technology consultancy”, Bloomberg first reported.

Subbed Siwah it is named after the desert oasis in Egypt, Oasis Wāḥat Sīwah, where Alexander the Great realised that he was the God Amon and became Pharoah of Egypt.

M-Files completes SaaS transition

Posted on March 2, 2021 by - News

M-Files has completed its transition to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) in 2020, with 94 percent of its annual recurring revenue (ARR) attributed to subscription-based sales.

The company’s primary SaaS solution, M-Files Online, is a hybrid intelligent information management platform that allows customers to implement both cloud and on-premises solutions without having to separately purchase licenses for each. In 2020, M-Files customers and partners continued to reap the benefits of innovative licensing options that enabled M-Files Online customers to become instantly cloud-ready and able to leverage the cloud in a phased and targeted manner at their discretion.

The battle over digital monopolies is just getting started

Posted on March 2, 2021 by - News

The case for new regulation around the monopolisation of user data by big tech companies has never been stronger, according to a new report from GlobalData.

GlobalData’s latest report, Antitrust – Thematic Research, notes that big tech companies do not have much of an incentive to change their anticompetitive behaviour, despite facing large fines.

GlobalDataSenior Thematic Analyst Laura Petrone said: “Existing antitrust rules are broad in scope and only allow enforcers to act after wrongdoing has been committed. Big tech companies have been fined billions for their anticompetitive practices over the last decade, however, these practices are still in the spotlight after years of scrutiny.

Hyperoptic helps on data poverty with fibre plan

Posted on March 1, 2021 by - News

Hyperoptic has announced its ‘Hyperoptic’s Fair Fibre Plan,’ a new affordable tariff that will enable people on specific means-tested benefits to get access to discounted rates on its 50Mbps and 150Mbps monthly rolling packages.

Under the plan the cost of a 50Mbps broadband-only service on a monthly rolling contract will be reduced to £15 a month. There will be no charge for installation and the package will come with a free router and an unlimited data allowance.

‘Hyperoptic’s Fair Fibre Plan’ includes:

· 50Mbps monthly rolling contract, broadband-only: Reduced from £22 to £15 a month
· 50Mbps monthly rolling contract, broadband and phone: Reduced from £25 to £18 a month
· 150Mbps monthly rolling contract, broadband-only: Reduced from £35 to £25 a month
· 150Mbps monthly rolling contract, broadband and phone: Reduced from £38 to £28 a month

Node4 buys Starcom

Posted on March 1, 2021 by - News

Cloudy Managed Services Provider (MSP) Node4, has acquired Starcom which is the  MSP division of K3 Business Technologies Group (K3).

The acquisition will see Starcom Technologies become part of Node4’s comprehensive portfolio of services, further adding to its capability of delivering enhanced cloud-managed services throughout the UK. It also expands the company’s operational presence with offices in Scotland, the North West and South East England.

Starcom has annualised revenues of £11 million and Node4  said the acquisition presents a huge opportunity for Node4 to continue its growth as a leading national provider of cloud managed services, expanding its operational footprint while deepening the company’s cloud hosting expertise with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SYSPRO, Sage and Microsoft Dynamics.

SCC scores Amazon advanced partner status

Posted on March 1, 2021 by - News

Independent IT solutions provider  SCC has achieved Advanced Partner status with Amazon Web Services (AWS) across its UK and French businesses.

As a member of the AWS Partner Network (APN), SCC is part of the global community of partners who leverage AWS to build solutions and services. SCC is a Public Sector Partner, Solution Provider, and Advanced Consulting Partner to AWS.

The AWS Advanced Consulting Partner tier recognises Consulting Partners that have excelled in providing successful solutions on AWS.

The company sees it as a milestone for SCC EMEA, with the business awarded AWS Advanced Partner status for its combined capabilities across UK and France.