Microsoft adds Azure availability Zones

Microsoft campusMicrosoft has added ‘Availability Zones’ to its ‘UK South’ region datacentres in a bid to attract public sector customers.

Microsoft claims that “tens of thousands” of UK organisations already use Microsoft cloud services delivered from the UK following the launch of local capabilities in 2016 – a move cheered by partners.

HPE and Nutanix team up on cloud

HPE and Nutanix announced a global partnership to deliver an integrated hybrid cloud as a Service (aaS) solution to the market.

This offering will use Nutanix’s Enterprise Cloud OS software including its built-in, free AHV hypervisor, delivered through HPE GreenLake to provide customers with an HPE-managed hybrid cloud that, it’s claimed, dramatically lowers total cost of ownership and accelerates time to value.

Bullguard offers VPN

Darling of the UK PC-builder industry Bullguard ,has spruced up its cybersecurity product line by adding a VPN product.

Designed to be easily used across multiple devices, BullGuard VPN features a simplified user interface and quick connect functionality, enabling consumers to fly under the radar and surf the internet in stealth mode while retaining complete anonymity via military-grade encryption. It is available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS operating systems.

Tripwire hands more investment to top tier partners

After enhancing its channel programme, security outfit Tripwire has increased investment in its top partners after launching a range of enhancements to.

Lately, several vendors have decided to work more closely with their top partners and gain more from existing relationships with managed accounts.

Tripwire is introducing a platinum level to its partner programme. The invitation-only tier will be open to those which deliver the highest growth and value to customers.

Manufacturers might be returning from China

Increased costs and rising political instability may be driving manufacturers to reduce sourcing from China in favour of doing more business with European suppliers.

According to the Q4 2018 Global Supply Chain Risk Report, published today by Cranfield School of Management and Dun & Bradstreet, sourcing from high-risk countries is most prevalent in the manufacturing sector, but this reduced 25 percent  during Q4 2018, suggesting businesses may be adopting a more cautious approach.

Thales finishes Gemalto acquisition

Thales has said that after 15 months, it has completed its €4.8 billion acquisition of Gemalto.

The result of the deal means that Thales will be a significant digital identity and security player employing 80,000 people.

Thales said that the combination creates a compelling portfolio of digital identity and security solutions based on technologies such as biometry, data protection, and, more broadly, cybersecurity.

Thales aims to provide a seamless response to customers who don’t want any seams. This will mean critical infrastructure providers such as banks, telecom operators, government agencies, utilities and other industries as they step up to the challenges of identifying people and objects and keeping data secure.

Research and development (R&D) are at the core of the new Group, with its 3,000 researchers and 28,000 engineers dedicated to R&D.

The new Thales will cover the entire critical decision chain in an increasingly interconnected and vulnerable world, with capabilities spanning software development, data processing, real-time decision support, connectivity and end-to-end network management.

With €1 billion a year devoted to self-funded R&D, the Group will continue to innovate in its key markets, drawing in

Gemalto will form one of Thales’s seven global divisions, to be named Digital Identity and Security (DIS). Gemalto will interact with all of the Group’s civil and defence customers and will significantly strengthen its industrial presence in 68 countries. Thales will considerably expand its operations in Latin America (2,500 employees, up from 600), triple its presence in Northern Asia (1,980, from 700), Southeast Asia (2,500, from 800) and India (1,150, from 400) and North America (6,660 employees, up from 4,600).

Thales chairman Patrice Caine said that with Gemalto, Thales had acquired a set of highly complementary technologies and competencies with applications in all of our five vertical markets, which are now redefined as aerospace; space; ground transportation; digital identity and security; and defence and security.

“These are the smart technologies that help people make the best choices at every decisive moment. The acquisition is a turning point for the Group’s 80,000 employees. Together, we are creating a giant in digital identity and security with the capabilities to compete in the big leagues worldwide”, Caine said.

 

VMware flags next year’s partner programme changes

VMWare said that it is making changes to its channel partner programme as flagged last year.

The outfit has been rebuilding its channel programme and said that the emphasis would be on gaining specialisations having started its master services programme, with four options partners, could go for, back in May.

Big data and analytics revenue growing fast

Beancounters at IDC have been adding up some numbers and dividing by their shoe size and decided that Big Data is going to continue to get bigger.

IDC said that last year saw 12 percent growth over last year, and forecasts have that level, 13.2 percent on a compound annual rate, will continue through to 2022.

National Express uses Teleopti’s workforce management

Teleopti announced that National Express, the largest operator of coach services in the UK, is using its workforce management (WFM) solution to create schedules for over 160 frontline employees, working complex shift patterns in its customer service centre.

The National Express contact centre supports ticket sales and assistance to customers of its bus and coach services every day of the year. The customer service teams also manage online queries. The customer service centre handles between 1800 and 2000 calls a day, increasing to 2500 at peak times holiday times or in bad weather. Teleopti’s cloud-based, automated WFM solution enables managers to adjust schedules quickly and efficiently to meet customer demand.

Sky is the limit for public cloud

The public cloud services market is set to see massive growth as a third of organisations now see cloud investments as a critical priority, according to a report from the Gartner beancounters.

Big G predicts that more than 30 percent of technology firms’ new software investments will move from cloud-first to cloud-only by the end of 2019.

Cogent scores SIAE Microelettronica as client

Cogent Distribution has become a UK value-added distributor for wireless transport outfit SIAE Microelettronica.

Cogent will primarily focus on SIAE Microelettronica’s high capacity long range communication link solutions. The full outdoor solutions are particularly well-suited to the education sector including colleges and universities, as they can be deployed with minimal infrastructure, including roof-top deployments.

Machine vision technology market will double

Machine vision technology has been in the market for years. However, with advancements in technology and with the evolution of smart factory, the past decade has seen a radical revolution in machine vision equipment.

According to  Frost & Sullivan, the $7.45 billion global machine vision equipment market is expected to almost double by 2022 to touch $13.62 billion, as industries intensify their demand for quality inspection.

Flashpoint grows its channel programme by 150 percent

Business Risk Intelligence firm Flashpoint  announced that its Global Channel Programme had grown 150 percent year-over-year since its formal introduction in 2017.

The company’s channel-driven revenue has also grown more than 200 percent since it signed its first partner in 2015, due to the company’s global expansion and increased customer adoption of BRI through its partnerships. It boasted lots of growth.