This week Channel Times touched upon some of the very important topics that have a direct impact on the channel community.
On Thursday, finance minister Arun Jaitley led council of federal and state government announced the tax slabs for the proposed GST regime. While the ICT industry has welcomed the move, partners and industry bodies such as Nasscom have demanded more clarity on the implementation of the proposed indirect taxation structure which will go live from April 2017.
After separating from its parent vendor, Intel is seems to have realigned its focus on its legacy business. The company, in its Focus 16 Security Conference organized recently made crucial announcements in terms of business expansion and channel engagement. The company is expected to roll out major channel initiatives in the coming months.
Network security firm SonicWall on Tuesday officially spun out of Dell Technologies as an independent company. Announcing the separation from Dell, the company clearly indicated that it would bring back its channel friendly vendor image with the launched of crucial channel centric initiatives. While SonicWall is on its way to go solo, the global chip maker Broadcom announced to acquire Brocade Communications Systems for USD 5.5 billion in cash plus USD 0.4 billion of net debt.
The week also marked a slew of announcements of new channel programs by vendors such as Avaya, Salesforce, Tyco Retail Solutions and FireEye. These new channel initiatives are mainly aimed at increasing partner’s profitability and expanding their offering portfolio.
Lastly, All India Information Technology Associations, commonly known as FAIITA, has finally got registered as an umbrella body of all the major IT associations in India.
IT Partners Seek More Clarity On GST Implementation
In a major step towards the ‘uniformed tax’ economy, a council of federal and state governments, announced the four main tax slabs 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% under the proposed GST. The council has proposed 12% to 18% tax slabs for consumer durables and electronics, whereas, white goods will be taxed at the rate of 28%. However, there is no immediate clarity on the classification of electronics under the proposed tax slabs. IT channel partners have sought more clarity of the GST implementation and hoped that the new tax regime would positively impact the industry. Read More
Intel Security Unveils New Biz Strategy, Partner Programs For McAfee
Months after splitting from its parent company Intel, Intel Security recently unveiled new products, renewed security strategy, partner program and logo at its Focus 16 Security Conference organized in Las Vegas. The company did not announced major changes in its channel strategy, escape new Platinum rebate for net new sales that will go live this quarter. The company also announced new partner programs as part of the Intel Security Innovation Alliance, including integration with Check Point, HP Enterprise Aruba and MobileIron. Read More
SonicWall Splits From Dell; Launches New Partner Program
Network security firm SonicWall on Tuesday officially spun out of Dell Technologies as an independent company. In conjunction with the creation of an independent SonicWall, the company named cyber security and networking veteran Bill Conner as its president and CEO. Realigning its focus on the channel after separation, SonicWall also announced a new SecureFirst partner program. The silent features of the partner programs are competitive margins and deal registration protection, Technical training and sales enablement, Reward for value benefits and Marketing and lead generation support. Read More
Broadcom Announces Acquisition Of Brocade For USD 5.9 Bn
The global chip maker Broadcom today announced that it has agreed to acquire Brocade Communications Systems, a maker of routers, switches and other computer networking equipment, for USD 5.5 billion in cash plus USD 0.4 billion of net debt.The transaction came more than a year after Avago Technologies agreed to acquire Broadcom for USD 37 billion and took the Broadcom name. There is no clarity on the immediate impact on the channel business post acquisition, however, partners are quite exited about the deal as it is expected to expand their solutions offering portfolio.Read More
Salesforce Strengthens Channel Partners with Lightening, Einstein
Salesforce recently launched Lightning Partner Community – a solution for companies to accelerate sales from their channel partners. The Lightning Partner Community enables companies to turn partners into an extension of their own direct sales team by giving them a single place to identify opportunities, track progress and close deals. The company also recently rolled out its annual Dreamforce conference with a clarion call declaring that the channel partners would continue to be an integral part of the company’s growth that saw revenues rise from USD4 billion over three years ago to USD8 billion in 2016-17. Read More
FireEye Intends To Leverage Channel To Expand Its Business
US based network security firm, FireEye intends to expand its market reach through its existing partner ecosystem. Rolling out new cloud-based solutions at company’s third quarter earnings call Thursday, CEO Kevin Mandia said that the company is heavily focusing on improving its engagement with the channel post Mandiant acquisition in 2014 which partners allegedly termed as a move by the vendor to steal their services business. The company which considers India as one of its strategic markets, is looking to rope in more channel partners to enhance its focus on India’s critical infrastructure space. Read More
Avaya Rolls Out New Global Partner Program “EdgeSM”
Business communications software provider, Avaya, has announced a new global channel program called “Avaya EdgeSM”. The new streamlined program expands rewards, streamlines requirements, aligns partners to the digital business imperatives. Avaya EdgeSM also replaces previous partner program Avaya Connect, which launched nine years ago. Avaya EdgeSM recognizes and rewards partners for total annualized revenue, including services and subscriptions. Read More
Tyco Retail Solutions Launches ‘GlobalPartnerEdge’ Channel Program
Tyco Retail Solutions, provider of retail performance and security solutions, has announced its first globally managed channel partner program GlobalPartnerEdge. The program is aimed at helping its channel partners deliver the business benefits of online and connected EAS Loss Prevention, RFID Inventory Intelligence and People Counting solutions for retailers. GlobalPartnerEdge provides partners a comprehensive suite of go-to-market support, tools, financial incentives and training resources. Read More
Symantec Honors APJ Partners At Partner Engage 2016 Event
After accelerating its commitment to define the future of cyber security with the recent acquisition of Blue Coat, Symantec , held its Symantec Partner Engage 2016 Conference in Tokyo, Japan this week, marking the company’s first public appearance as a combined organization in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ). Four channel partners from India namely: HCL Technologies, Softcell Technologies, Dimension Data and Meta Infotech gets recognition at Symantec Partner Engage 2016 Conference. Read More
FAIITA Gets Registered In New Delhi
The All India IT association popularly known as Federation of All India Information Technology Associations or FAIITA recently got registered under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. The association was established a few years ago to unite IT channel fraternity across the country and highlight their issues has now got registered officially. On October 28, the association got registered as ‘Federation of All India Information Technology Associations or FAIITA’ in under not-for-profit body with registered office at 404/95, Nehru Place, New Delhi, 110019. Read More