The most recent articles from CRN

PC growth forecasts slashed by two-thirds

Nick Booth — 2008-11-21T13:21:00.000Z

Nick Booth, CRN, Friday 21 November 2008 at 13:21:00

Market watcher downgrades 2009 PC growth expectations from 11.9 to 4.3 per cent

Global economic meltdown has made researcher iSuppli slash its 2009 forecast for PC unit shipments by nearly two-thirds. But, staggeringly, it said notebook sales will continue to grow rapidly.

iSuppli’s new preliminary forecast says global PC shipments will still rise, albeit by only 4.3 per cent, in 2009. This compares with its previous forecast of 11.9 percent growth. The new revised forecast for 2010 is a 7.1 per cent growth in unit shipments, down from the previous forecast of 9.4 per cent expansion.

“Since the last worldwide PC forecast, the landscape of the global economy has changed dramatically, and irrevocably,” said Matthew Wilkins, principal analyst, compute platforms for iSuppli.

Wilkins said that with banking institutions crumbled and disappeared, or in need of government aid to survive, the availability of credit - and interest rates - has affected large corporations, small businesses and the man on the street.

“The result is less money to spend, and often that money is itself more expensive,” Wilkins said. “So application markets, like PCs, have been impacted.”

The PC market was buoyant for a long time, reporting annual growth rates around the 10 per cent mark for the past five years - with 2008 becoming the sixth year, due to 13 percent growth expected. But the credit collapse has ruined prospects for the PC market in 2009.

“In light of financial issues, the task of refreshing or acquiring new IT equipment has taken a back seat,” Wilkins said.

Suppli believes desktop PC shipments in 2009 will decline around 5 per cent, while notebook PCs will grow about 15 per cent, as this sector will continue to thrive. Very attractive pricing for netbooks will sustain momentum, he predicted. iSuppli believes demand for netbooks will show less of a reduction in 2009 than other notebook platforms, primarily due to their lower average selling prices.

Magirus severs stock market ties

Doug Woodburn — 2008-11-21T10:36:00.000Z

Doug Woodburn, CRN, Friday 21 November 2008 at 10:36:00

Distributor's majority shareholders buy out 20 per cent stake held by NASDAQ-listed tech firm

Pan-European distributor Magirus claims it has reduced its exposure to the turbulent financial markets by buying out the minority stake held by US-listed technology firm Agilysys.

The three families Alghanim, Magirus and von Kuenheim have between them bought Agilysys’ 20.2 per cent shareholding. This means they own all of the privately-held distributor’s shares.

Earlier this week Agilysys announced it had received a letter from NASDAQ stating it had not received its quarterly report for the three months to 30 September. Agilysys went on to say the delay in filing is related to the pending resolution of the accounting treatment for its stake in Magirus.

Magirus said the move would reduce its exposure to the uncertainties impacting stock markets.

Fabian von Kuenheim, chairman of the board of Magirus AG, said. “With this transaction we additionally realise a contribution to equity capital by our shareholders and thus reduce, as in the case of the withdrawal of our current stock exchange-listed (NASDAQ) shareholder Agilysys, the influences on our company of the turbulence which has hit the financial markets.”

The Alghanim family now holds 30 per cent of Magirus shares, with the Magirus and von Kuenheim families owning 27.5 per cent and 42.5 per cent respectively.

Canon sticks to specialists with first 18 large-format partners

Fleur Doidge — 2008-11-20T16:39:00.000Z

Fleur Doidge, CRN, Thursday 20 November 2008 at 16:39:00

Vendor ramps up sales push into general, fine arts, photography and CAD markets

Two specialist distributors and 16 resellers have become the first accredited partners in Canon’s new large format printer (LFP) sales push.

Distributors Art Systems and Velmex have been assessed and given the nod to on-sell Canon’s imagePROGRAF LFPs alongside 16 specialist AV resellers, Canon said.

Matthew Searle, channel director at Canon, said that reselling LFPs requires specialist knowledge so prospective partners are subjected to more stringent criteria than for general-use printers.

“Quality is a higher priority to LFP end users. You have to understand colour management and things like that,” Searle said.

The LFP partner programme is part of Canon’s overall partner programme. As such, all partners will be reviewed and reassessed annually, giving an opportunity for new partners to join the programme, Searle said.

Infosource figures suggest Canon achieved a 13 per cent share of the 17in to 60in water-based LFP market in the first half but expects 16 per cent by year-end.

The vendor launched LFPs in 2003.

Four Cs of datacentres

Donnie MacColl — 2008-11-20T16:24:00.000Z

Donnie MacColl, CRN, Thursday 20 November 2008 at 16:24:00

Consolidation, cooling and centralisation are main ways to cut costs in the 21st century datacentre, argues Donnie MacColl

Datacentre operators are trying to cut costs, and there are several ways to do so.

Chief information officers (CIOs) will never reduce costs to the levels they desire if the datacentre requires an army of highly paid, highly skilled individuals to keep it up and running.

However, cross-platform system management tools mean you can run an effective, efficient datacentre with a smaller less-skilled team.

We think the mega datacentre should begin to resemble the Marie Celeste – steaming ahead but with nobody apparently at home.

Cross-platform systems management tools allow organisations to manage the entire datacentre from one console, using exception reporting to highlight potential problems as they arise.

Organisations can also improve day-to-day operations using real-time alerts about temperature, processing power or available disk space.

By automating datacentre management routines, the CIO can achieve further cost savings.

Virtualisation is why datacentre operators are investing heavily in automated management solutions to reduce human error, provide early warnings and lower the cost of management.

Companies are moving away from distributed infrastructures towards centralised, consolidated datacentres. Consolidating onto one or two centralised machines should slash power consumption and streamline maintenance.

If one single server fails it is simple to plug in another. If a larger system goes down, though, containing hundreds of virtual servers you need a resilient contingency plan.

Blade servers offer a small footprint but that is balanced out because they generate a lot of heat.

CIOs can counter this by reducing the cooling.

Today’s hardware can operate effectively in greater temperature ranges – typically 10 to 35 degrees Celsius, although some HP kit will run at 50 degrees.

Yet many organisations still waste huge amounts of electricity to keep the data centre at 22 to 24 degrees, in the mistaken belief that systems will shut down if the temperature rises higher.

Simply reducing the amount of cooling, letting the temperature increase five to ten degrees, can slash power costs without compromising performance.

Attention to all these factors, in the right proportions, should go a long way to ensuring success.

Donnie MacColl is head of technical services at Halcyon Software

Storage-as-a-service market set to expand

kayleigh bateman — 2008-11-20T11:28:00.000Z

kayleigh bateman , CRN, Thursday 20 November 2008 at 11:28:00

Increasing demand for online storage services means opportunities for resellers, says IDC survey

Storage-as-a-service is taking the lead over the traditional storage software market, according to a recent report from analyst IDC.

The survey of 812 firms revealed that demand for online storage services is high among businesses feeling the squeeze on budgets and IT staff levels.

With storage-as-a-service capacity expected to grow from 174 petabytes in 2007 to 2.1 exabytes in 2012, IDC said there will be many opportunities in the market.

Companies are investing in online services for backup and disaster recovery, long-term record retention, business continuity and data availability, the survey found.

Brad Nisbet, programme manager for storage and data management services at IDC, said: “As organisations continue to generate vast amounts of data and seek optimum methods to store and protect them, the growth of storage capacities delivered through storage-as-a-service offerings will outpace traditional storage architectures.”

The research also found that firms show a preference for suppliers whose focus is on online services and for those that have a strong technical background.

Paul Hickingbotham, solutions manager at storage distributor Hammer, said prospects were good. “Resellers that are involved in supplying storage-as-a-service have seen an increase in demand for it. The current credit crunch is forcing companies to look at more ways to save money on storage, so there is an opportunity.”

Lindsay Garrod, marketing manager of VAR VirtualizeIT, said: “Due to the credit crunch, contracts are

taking longer to come through as people are evaluating where money can be saved. Storage-as-a-service is definitely a driver for that.”

Baskerville moves on to Vizioncore

kayleigh bateman — 2008-11-20T11:24:00.000Z

kayleigh bateman , CRN, Thursday 20 November 2008 at 11:24:00

Vendor secures new expertise

Server virtualisation management vendor Vizioncore has netted itself industry veteran Roger Baskerville as its new EMEA vice president.

Baskerville joins Vizioncore from Citrix Systems where he was regional director for server virtualisation.

He originally joined his last company in 1998, but left to start up XenSource, which was eventually acquired by Citrix, in August 2007.

Based at Vizioncore’s EMEA headquarters in Maidenhead, Berkshire, the sales team will support the vendor’s channel network across the region.

Baskerville will take charge of an internal sales team supporting the UK, German, French, Spanish and Italian markets.

Baskerville said: “We have about 30 employees that focus on Europe at present, but that will increase to between 40 and 42 by December. All staff specialise in different regions because, for example, Italian partners want to deal with Italian staff.

“I will also focus on recruiting new partners any reseller that currently sells VMware can partner with Vizioncore.”

Baskerville will report to Chris Akerberg, president and chief operating officer of Vizioncore, who said:

“Baskerville is well known in the EMEA market and, along with the investment we are making in our new inside sales team, it will take our EMEA operations to the next level.”

Alex McLaughlin, managing director for VirtualAge at reseller Union Solutions, said: “We are a VMware partner so Vizioncore fits well with us. The European expansion may be a reaction to vendor Veem recently coming onto the UK scene and challenging Vizioncore.”

Vizioncore has also recently appointed additional sales managers and systems engineers in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK.

Health pros neglect mobile security

Sam Trendall — 2008-11-20T11:22:00.000Z

Sam Trendall, CRN, Thursday 20 November 2008 at 11:22:00

Survey reveals many UK and US health professionals fail to ensure safety of work data on mobile devices

Many UK healthcare professionals could be putting patients' personal details at risk by storing them on personal mobile devices, research has found.

The Mobile Device Usage in the Healthcare Sector report collated responses from policy makers, senior clinicians, GPs, IT directors and IT and general managers. It was conducted by E-Health Insider and Outpatient Surgery Magazine on behalf of mobile security vendor Credant Technologies. 35 per cent of healthcare professionals revealed they secured a work device with just a single password while six per cent admitted they used no security whatsoever.

UK healthcare professionals are considerably more careful than their transatlantic counterparts, however. 56 per cent in this country use strong security measures to protect devices compared to just 23 per cent in the US. 35 per cent of UK respondents use encryption, 17 per cent use two factor authentication, three per cent use biometrics and one per cent use smart cards.

The survey claims the recent spate of well-publicised data losses and the subsequent guidance from NHS chief executives on data security has had a positive effect of healthcare professionals' security policies. 65 per cent of those in the UK have revised their security policy over the last year with many claiming new restrictions have been placed on use of mobile devices.

44 per cent claimed restrictions such as blocking USB connections, disabling mobile phone cameras and banning downloading information from a hospital network onto a mobile device had been imposed. Six per cent reported that mobile devices have been completely outlawed in the workplace.

62 per cent of UK respondents claimed a laptop was the main device they used with 17 per cent using a USB stick and 13 per cent a BlackBerry or similar mobile device. Details of work contacts is the most common data stored on these devices with 61 per cent of respondents claiming they did this. Half of those surveyed store corporate data and personal contact details while. 15 per cent store security information such as passwords, PINs and bank account information and the same amount store patient records and medical images. A quarter of respondents claimed this was a concern.

E-Health Insider's managing editor Lyn Whitfield said: "There is a lot still to do in terms of NHS trusts taking control of their networks and the devices that connect to them, or providing staff with good, workable and secure alternatives to carrying information around on USB sticks and other devices. The survey also shows up some examples of very bad practice. Every data breach has the potential to undermine faith in the NHS and its ability to keep patient records secure, so this is not an issue that can fall off the health service’s agenda.”

CMI fights workplace fraud

Sara Yirrell — 2008-11-20T10:35:00.000Z

Sara Yirrell, CRN, Thursday 20 November 2008 at 10:35:00

With nearly half of UK organisations having been the victim of fraud, Chartered Management Institute unveils anti-fraud guide

Increasing levels of fraud in the workplace has prompted the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) to publish a guide aimed at fighting corporate corruption.

According to recent figures from CMI and PricewaterhouseCoopers 48 per cent of organisations in the UK have been victims of fraud and nine out of 10 individuals believe their boss doesn’t trust them. Other results revealed that just eight percent of staff in responding companies are trusted with signing off costs.

The guide, entitled Workplace Fraud: the enemy within, focuses on three key issues as part of a fraud management strategy including developing a fraud strategy statement, establishing an audit committee, making use of technology and developing a culture where fraud is unacceptable

However the guide also stresses that employers should recognise that fraud is not just opportunistic, and motivation for dishonesty is often rooted in the pressure caused by unrealistic targets or financial problems.

Petra Wilton, director of policy and research at the CMI, said: “Fraud can be stopped in the early stages if robust detection procedures are in place. However, rather than focus on the checks and balances that they introduce, employers need to highlight the impact that fraud can have on individuals and the business.

“Failure to do so means that organisations run the risk of stifling employees if they believe they are being watched by Big Brother.”

Gillian Lees, risk and governance specialist at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), said: "Fraud is a major risk so organisations need to ensure that they have a robust fraud policy that is disseminated effectively and taken seriously throughout the organisation. We therefore welcome this guide from the CMI as an excellent gateway to the subject.”

Coface credit cut clobbers Comet

Doug Woodburn — 2008-11-19T16:36:00.000Z

Doug Woodburn, CRN, Wednesday 19 November 2008 at 16:36:00

UK high street titan becomes latest big name to be rocked by a reduction in credit insurance cover

Retail electronics giant Comet has become the latest big name to suffer from having its credit insurance scaled back.

The Independent reports that Coface, one of the UK's three biggest credit insurers alongside Euler Hermes and Atradius, confirmed last week it was cutting cover for some of Comet's suppliers. The high street retailer, which is owned by pan-European group Kesa Electricals, has 250 UK stores.

Coface's decision is the latest in a line of credit insurance setbacks to rock the channel and the wider electronics industry this year. Retail group DSGi has also been hit this month as all three of the UK's big credit insurers scaled back its cover. Distributor Bell Micro also suffered in July when Euler Hermes pulled cover for its European operations.

Atradius maintains there have been no changes in the level of cover it provides to Comet and it is not known whether Euler Hermes has changed its stance . A Comet spokeswoman told The Independent: "We have not been informed of any change in the facilities that credit insurers provide to our suppliers. Our cash position remains strong."

After Kesa posted yearly results in June, chief executive Jean-Noël Labroue said: "We are seeing a continuing decline in consumer confidence and we anticipate further difficult trading conditions ahead." For the three months to the end of July, Comet posted an almost 10 per cent dip in like-for-like revenue. After these results, Labroue indicated he expected the UK firm to post a loss for the six months to the 31 October.

Stack brings CaminoSoft touch to UK

Sam Trendall — 2008-11-19T14:55:00.000Z

Sam Trendall, CRN, Wednesday 19 November 2008 at 14:55:00

Merseyside reseller signs up as UK service provider for ILM software vendor

Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) vendor CaminoSoft has signed up VAR Stack Computer Solutions as a UK service provider for the company's products and services.

CaminoSoft produces ILM software for Microsoft Windows, Novell Netware and NetApp Filer that stores and manages data. Its flagship Managed Server HSM product aims to help automate the migration of seldom-accessed files from high-performance primary storage to secondary areas and online archives. Stack will now provide the UK market with CaminoSoft products, as well as support and other wrap around services.

Stack managing director Jeff Orr said: “We have a great track record of working with Caminosoft. This closer engagement will further leverage our EMC, NetApp, IBM and HDS partnerships, allowing us to deliver the huge benefits of CaminoSoft ILM solutions to our customer base. The recovery of primary storage alone delivers a convincing ROI, but add in the backup, recovery and compliance aspects and it becomes a no-brainer.”

Caminosoft chief executive Steve Crosson added: “Our service provider agreement with Stack affords us a unique opportunity to strengthen CaminoSoft’s presence within the UK and provide technical support and services for our growing installed base of customers. Stack’s excellent reputation as a channel partner and their extensive client relationships will increase demand for CaminoSoft’s ILM solutions as well as our market share."

Synergix unveils trade website

Fleur Doidge — 2008-11-18T16:32:00.000Z

Fleur Doidge, CRN, Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 16:32:00

Online campaign for more vertically-focused data capture VARs

Midwich subsidiary Synergix has launched a trade website for IT resellers wanting to sell barcode scanning solutions and services to specific vertical markets.

The distributor, which specialises in auto-ID, barcode scanning and data collection technologies, wants to sign more VARs for specific vertical markets, including transport, retail and government.

Alex Ward, commercial director at Midwich, said resellers can make margins of 20 per cent from auto-ID. Sales are tipped to soar because more organisations are investing in data capture technology.

“We think the market for mobile technology in particular will grow considerably over the next few years,” Ward said in a statement.

“Direct communication between the field and the back office is a strategic imperative for service-led organisations and many enterprises are migrating to mobile solutions because they enable field workers to receive and update relevant information whilst they are on the move.”

End users are increasingly scrutinising capital expenditure more closely with a view to making stock control and asset management more efficient.

“We have invested in this new website to help the broader IT reseller community capitalise on this demand,” Ward said.

“I would urge resellers to take advantage of growth in the auto-ID market.”

Midwich acquired 20-year-old Synergix earlier in 2008.

A working tweak for Logicalis

Sam Trendall — 2008-11-18T15:41:00.000Z

Sam Trendall, CRN, Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 15:41:00

Channel firms encouraged to help IT departments make minor adjustments that could bring major benefits

Integrator Logicalis is encouraging channel firms to help embattled IT departments make small tweaks to their IT infrastructure that can help them make major savings.

The VAR is promoting 'tweak-onomics', which it defines as the process of making micro-level changes to technology processes to facilitate macro-level performance benefits. Logicalis has picked out three key areas for IT departments to examine in a bid to cut costs.

Firstly, investing in IT infrastructure to increase efficiencies is singled out. Investing in IT operational process and delivery is also picked out as being of great importance. Finally, firms are encouraged to increase organisation-wide efficiencies to help drive down overall cost base.

Logicalis' director of solutions and marketing Chris Gabriel claimed that major upgrades and technology refreshes were not viable in many cases. He indicated IT departments should be looking instead make to minor adjustments and additions that could realise tangible benefits.

"Without the budgetary clout of previous years, utilising existing assets better, more effectively and efficiently, is the name of the game," said Gabriel. "For example, implementing de-duplication technology can immediately reduce your back-up and archive requirements by up to 80 per cent. Similarly, auditing your existing software licenses can realise initial savings of 30 per cent, and provide an up-to-date evaluation of your future needs and compliance measures."

Managing director Tom Kelly added: “We often talk about IT enabling positive change, and now is the time for the industry to deliver. Even the smallest tweaks can improve the performance or efficiency of legacy infrastructure, but it is absolutely critical that these successes are recorded and communicated back to the business. In doing so, IT is afforded the opportunity to demonstrate its leadership qualities, in addition to its intimacy with the business issues, ensuring it is associated with helping secure the stability and profitability of the business, and sealing its deserved position at the boardroom table.”

Kyocera adds first UK distie in 10 years

Sam Trendall — 2008-11-18T15:31:00.000Z

Sam Trendall, CRN, Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 15:31:00

CCD joins Midwich, Interface and Ingram Micro in distribution line-up and will offer entire Kyocera printer range

Computacenter's distribution arm CCD has been unveiled as the first addition to Kyocera's UK distribution stable in almost a decade.

CCD joins the current line-up of Interface, Midwich and Ingram Micro. Kyocera has tasked the latest addition with helping resellers promote a focus on total cost of ownership (TCO) and environmental issues.

CCD will distribute the entire Kyocera printer range and has already lined up a number of events and initiatives to spread the word to UK VARs. The Reading-based distributor will also be offering resellers a Kyocera Solution Guide.

Kyocera Mita's UK distribution sales manager Alicia Shepherd said: “When choosing a new distribution partner, it was important for us to find one that would offer real value to our reseller customers. More resellers are becoming aware of how issues such as TCO and green computing matter to customers. CCD is a distributor that fits in with this approach, as it understands how to help resellers take these messages out to their customers.”

CCD sales director Andrew Chandler added: "Now more than ever, resellers need to know they have the right resources behind them. CCD has a commitment to providing resellers with an unbeatable combination of support, services and leading technology to enable them to build sustainable profitable lines of business. Working with Kyocera is part of this commitment – providing resellers with a range of products and services they can add to their portfolios."

Magirus reveals security strategy

Doug Woodburn — 2008-11-18T10:04:00.000Z

Doug Woodburn, CRN, Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 10:04:00

Distributor will continue working with Clearswift, Radware and Stonesoft as it focuses on locking down virtual environments

Magirus has outlined its vision for secure virtualisation two weeks after axing its standalone security arm.

CRN recently revealed that the distributor was parting company with security divisional head Niall McGrane and was in consultation with the unit’s four remaining staff (Channelweb, 6 November).

Magirus now plans to focus exclusively on security solutions that complement its virtualisation offering.

To that end, it has this morning announced it will continue working with vendors Clearswift, Radware and Stonesoft. Radware, for instance can be employed for ISP and server load balancing for major VMware implementations. The vendors will all sit within its virtualisation arm.

Magirus claimed the virtualisation market is bucking the recessionary trend as firms look to slash hardware and energy costs.

However, the distributor said there was a clear need to lock down virtual environments due to the security challenges they create, such as management and control issues, and availability, integrity and confidentiality of data.

Andrew Binding, vice president for the Northern Europe region at Magirus, said: “By 2010 some 30 percent of non-desktop IT infrastructure is expected to be virtualised.

“The market for securing these virtualised infrastructures represents a significant business opportunity. We can help our resellers provide a total solution in terms of the technology, consultancy and professional services needed to capitalise on this high growth opportunity.”

Magirus will kick of its secure virtualisation push with a one-day seminar in December exploring how virtual networks and data centres can be secured. It will include presentations from Clearswift, Radware and Stonesoft as well as Magirus consultants.

Ingram orders up Gate Gourmet executive

Doug Woodburn — 2008-11-17T12:56:00.000Z

Doug Woodburn, CRN, Monday 17 November 2008 at 12:56:00

Distributor recruits former Gate Gourmet boss as EMEA CFO after recently reporting losses in the region

Ingram Micro has enlisted the man credited with turning around struggling airline catering firm, Gate Gourmet, to shore up its European financial performance.

Paul Lilley joins the distributor as EMEA senior vice president and chief financial officer. He will report to president of EMEA Jay Forbes.

Most recently, Lilley was European president of Gate Gourmet, where he spent three years overseeing the 8,000-strong firm’s restructuring. He also served a six-year stint as chief financial officer of Swiss business services group SGS.

In Ingram’s most recent quarter, EMEA sales plunged 10 per cent year on year to $2.57bn (£1.72bn). Operating losses in the region stood at $4.7bn, which included a $3.1m hit from expense-reduction programme costs.

Forbes said: “We are very fortunate to have attracted someone of Paul’s knowledge and track record. We welcome him to the Ingram Micro team and look forward to the talents and experience he will bring as we continue to build our business and strengthen our financial performance.”

Lilley, who will be responsible for EMEA finance, credit and treasury functions, said: “I’m pleased to have joined the global leader in the technology distribution sector. These are exciting and challenging times, and Ingram Micro is well positioned to drive value and growth in its chosen markets.”