Author: Nick Farrell

Nutanix scores Robert Gordon University contract

Posted on January 29, 2021 by - News

Cloudy Nutanix has scored a contract with Aberdeen based Robert Gordon University.

The University has deployed Nutanix Xi Frame to complement and extend its existing on-campus End User Computing (EUC) solution to support demanding researchers in Schools of Architecture and Engineering plus students on the Scottish Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) scheme studying remotely whilst working.

Although happy with the University’s on-premise EUC technology, End User Computing Team Leader Timon Watson and his team had reservations when it came to extending access to remote teaching and learning resources beyond the shared desktops provided in on-campus IT Labs and libraries.

Comms365 launches IoT focused portfolio

Posted on January 29, 2021 by - News

Comms365 has launched its IoT-dedicated portfolio under a new brand, ‘IoT- CaaS’ (IoT Connectivity as a Service).

The outfit said that IoT-CaaS has been formed to address growing market demand for Enterprise-grade IoT connectivity for millions of devices, and to deal with connectivity market fragmentation caused by partial network rollouts, by combining multiple global IoT connectivity standards for UK and European IoT project deployments under a single service provision.

The company said that it is the first in the UK to build on existing private network infrastructure and dedicated connectivity to IoT Operators and MNOs, Comms365’s IoT-CaaS combines NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRaWAN, SigFox, 4G, 5G  This comprehensive suite of IoT connectivity offerings is designed to be adapted by systems integrators, software, hardware and platform providers as there are no upfront commitments, targets or lock-in mechanisms, which is in direct contrast with traditional offerings.

Atos and OVHcloud want to create a Euro cloud

Posted on January 28, 2021 by - News

Atos and OVHcloud have teamed up to build a “100 per cent European market-leading multi-cloud solution”.

The French systems integrator giant and Europe’s sole hyper-scale say they have developed cloud transformation capabilities and services for enterprises and the public sector that comply with EU privacy regulations like GDPR.

Using Atos OneCloud and OVHcloud’s cloud solutions partners and customers will have access to a joint network of more than 130 datacentres to host dedicated private environments.

IT spending will not get back to normal until 2022

Posted on January 28, 2021 by - News

IT spending won’t return to normal until 2022, claims according to analyst outfit Garter group.

The analyst firm believes that, despite the availability of Covid vaccines, a return to pre-pandemic spending levels will be thwarted this year by continued government measures to contain the virus. Other non-Covid factors such as Brexit and US-China trade tension will also prevent a spending recovery in some regions, Gartner said.

“Overall, returning global recovery back to 2019 spending rates will not occur until 2022, although many countries may recover earlier. People-gathering industries, such as restaurants, travel, and entertainment, will hover at the bottom long-term”, the analysts tutted.

The prediction comes as Gartner forecasts worldwide IT spending to grow by just 6.2 percent this year to $3.9 trillion.

It comes after spending fell by 3.2 percent in 2020 as COVID-19 forced CIOs to prioritise their spending on “mission-critical” technology and services.

Microsoft posts strong results

Posted on January 28, 2021 by - News

Microsoft campusMicrosoft posted strong second quarter figures, showing a sizable increase to both revenues and profits as a shift to remote working continues.

Revenues surged by 17 percent year on year to $43.1 billion while operating income grew by 29 percent to $17.9 billion.

In a webcast following the results, CEO Satya Nadella told investors that we are amid “the dawn of a second wave of digital transformation sweeping every company and every industry”.

The figures showed that Azure, Dynamics 365 and Office 365 were boosted by work from home economy and this lifted Microsoft’s second quarter and highlighted the strength of its cloud offerings.

Tech Data launches awards for women

Posted on January 27, 2021 by - News

Tech Data is launching an awards scheme to shine the spotlight on the invaluable contribution that women make to the advancement and success of its business in the UK and Ireland.

The company said that the idea for the Women in Tech Data Awards emerged after one of the company’s most recent Elevate events, during which colleagues from right across Tech Data meet to discuss different aspects and issues around the development and progression of female workers within the company.

David Watts, Managing Director at Tech Data, UK and Ireland, said: “The whole idea of Elevate is to encourage the progression of women within Tech Data. We thought it would be wonderful to recognise the achievements of our exceptional female colleagues. We want the Women in Tech Data Awards to be a real celebration of the tremendous amount of female talent that we have in the company, all of whom will inspire the next generation of young women onto even greater heights.”

EU businesses will snub large IT expenditure

Posted on January 27, 2021 by - News

More than half of EU businesses will move away from using large capital expenditure to acquire IT assets in 2021 in favour of more flexible procurement models, with mobility remaining an urgent IT priority in the wake of COVID-19, according to a report  by 3stepIT.

The survey of over 1,000 IT decision-makers reveals that EU businesses are prioritising the ability to replace assets easily when making purchase choices, in order to meet changing circumstances.

The research also shows that businesses who already adopt a more flexible approach to IT acquisition were better able to cope with the disruption caused by COVID-19. 89 percent of companies that finance assets were able to make swift IT investments early last year, enabling employees to quickly make the shift to working from home. This compared to 75 percent of businesses that own their IT assets outright.

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Charterhouse snaps up Pentesec

Posted on January 27, 2021 by - News

Charterhouse Voice and Data has acquired Check Point partner and cybersecurity MSP Pentesec.

Pentesec provides cybersecurity managed services, consultancy and training.

Charterhouse claims that Pentesec’s strong Check Point capabilities will complement its existing cybersecurity partnerships with Palo Alto and Rapid7.

The Pentesec acquisition will underpin a planned investment into a security operations centre offering, Charterhouse claims.

Achab brings Italy to Reading

Posted on January 26, 2021 by - News

Italian software distributor specialising in delivering value-added services for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Achab, has set up shop in Reading.

Achab is bringing its distribution model to the UK with the opening of its Reading office to help win MSPs for the SME market.

The company is growing its list of vendor partners and is introducing two new solutions to the UK, Cameyo and Cyberfish.

Cyberfish, an anti-phishing solution, detects and blocks phishing emails from unknown sources in real-time. Designed for MSPs and SMEs, it operates automatically. Using patented technologies based on artificial intelligence and computer vision, and by simulating user behaviour, it provides up to ten times better detection compared to traditional anti-phishing systems.

Six Degrees gets Microsoft Azure Expert MSP status

Posted on January 26, 2021 by - News

Secure cloud services provider, Six Degrees, has today announced that it has become a Microsoft Azure Expert MSP. Six Degrees is one of only eight UK organisations to be awarded this accreditation.

Six Degrees ahas an Azure-aligned UK onshore Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC).

Six Degrees is today launching its new Beyond Cloud proposition, which it claims giving customers the most flexible, secure cloud services available so they can look beyond the day-to-day and focus on the future of their organisations.

TelcoSwitch buys OneVoice

Posted on January 26, 2021 by - News

Unified communications and compliance solutions TelcoSwitch has acquired the OneVoice cloud-based hosted telephony platform from Qunifi, the Worcester-based company, for an undisclosed sum.

The Qunifi OneVoice solution is an open-source cloud telephony platform with a particular focus around hospitality, and proprietary integration with Microsoft Teams.

As part of the acquisition the OneVoice base of resellers will also migrate to become TelcoSwitch channel partners.

Ingram partners with Google

Posted on January 22, 2021 by - News

Ingram Micro Cloud UK has announced a new partnership with Google Cloud.

Google Workspace is billed as a secure, easy to use business collaboration and productivity platform that incorporates a wide range of programs – including Gmail, Docs and Drive.

Ingram Micro Cloud UK said the addition brings greater choice to its partners and resellers and reinforces its commitment to delivering “the most robust ecosystem to build successful cloud businesses”.

Scott Murphy, Cloud Director at Ingram Micro Cloud UK said Google and Ingram were focused on providing resellers with the portfolio breadth they require to grow, with Ingram Micro Cloud being a key player in ensuring they reach their full market potential.

Sectigo launches new partner programme

Posted on January 22, 2021 by - News

SSL certificate outfit Sectigo has a new global partner programme.

The firm’s Secure Partner Programme is being rolled out to its 1,200-strong channel base, accompanied by a portal that offers access to its university training resources and options to collaborate across the ecosystem.

The channel is being tiered on the basis of engagement level, with training offered to everyone. The vendor is making market development funds (MDF) available, along with partner pricing to make sure the most committed are rewarded accordingly.

Atos does deal with IBM

Posted on January 22, 2021 by - News

Atos has  struck what is says is a strategic partnership with Big Blue as part of a cunning plan to help enterprise customers across verticals optimise their business processes using AI.

Atos says this “industry-led” approach will see both companies develop joint offerings built on Atos’ vertical-focused solutions and service delivery capabilities.

In a joint statement, the pair said that clients can expect to have access to industry-specific automation solutions using AI and hybrid cloud technologies to enable digital acceleration and increase productivity and reduce costs” the €11.58 billion.

Sectigo launches new partner programme

Posted on January 21, 2021 by - News

Digital identity management and web security solutions, Sectigo has launched a new Secure Partner Programme as part of its cunning plan to expand its partners.

Programme Partners gain benefits, including access to the new Sectigo Connect Partner Portal, which the outfit insists “advances  their ability to build new capabilities, deliver more value to customers, drive higher profits, and accelerate growth in today’s dynamic cybersecurity market”.

In the new Secure Partner Programme, partners are tiered based on engagement level, so that organisations’ tier within the programme aligns with their business goals. All partners registered in the new programme receive access to advanced training and accreditation programmes to help them improve their sales and support effectiveness.