Our Take
End users aren't ready for GDPR, but are resellers?
Every day our inboxes are inundated with research telling us end users are ill prepared for GDPR, but channel firms also have work ahead of them to ensure they don't fall foul of the new data protection rules, says Doug Woodburn
Cloud building has been costly for some
Some resellers who built their own cloud propositions are now counting the cost, Doug Woodburn argues as he runs through what's inside the latest issue of CRN
Estonia - Europe's unexpected Silicon Valley
Now famed for its innovation, Estonia's reputation for embracing technology can be traced back to its breakaway from the Soviet Union
Is Synnex finally about to make a splash in Europe through Westcon deal?
US distribution giant that's always kept Europe at arm's length is now in the box seat to acquire Westcon's international business following its $800m deal for Americans arm, says Doug Woodburn
What the WannaCry cybercriminal has done that politicians have failed to do
While cybercriminals are motivated by money or notoriety, did the WannaCry hacker accidentally build political bridges, asks Tom Wright?
So far, so good, for Dell and EMC
Sam Trendall reflects on Dell and EMC's first eight months as one company
Are salespeople trusted as much as the technical teams?
With technology becoming more complex and solutions led, is the role of the traditional salesperson becoming obsolete, asks Tom Wright?
Is IT distribution becoming rule by the few, and does it matter?
With Westcon and Entatech becoming the latest brands on the wrong side of potential market consolidation or insolvency, where will it all end, asks Doug Woodburn?
Vendors land blow in direct versus channel debate
End users prefer to buy from vendors and are more loyal to them than resellers, CRN/Computing research has found. But all is not lost for the channel, according to Doug Woodburn
Why it pays to keep in with the IT crowd
CMOs and other business leaders are being hailed as the new power centre of IT decision making. But recent CRN/Computing research suggests that IT directors and managers should remain the focal point for VARs and other technology suppliers, says Doug...
HoloLens shows promise beyond porn
One reseller boss once told me that porn producers would be the only industry to adopt mixed reality - but I am unconvinced
What next for Windows 10 after it hits big UK milestone?
OS takes more than 50 per cent market share in the UK, claims StatCounter
The need for speed: Why the IT buying cycle is accelerating
Resellers used to elongated sales cycles will be pleasantly surprised by research suggesting the IT purchasing cycle is poised to accelerate rapidly, according to Doug Woodburn
ANS mulling 100 per cent services focus is a sign of the times
Comments made by ANS CEO Paul Shannon and others in recent Top VARs roundtable add to impression that services transition is accelerating, says Doug Woodburn
Don't be the next IT supplier that's named and shamed on LinkedIn
CIOs are now taking to LinkedIn to express their frustration at being cold called and emailed by IT vendors and resellers. Doug Woodburn asks how resellers can avoid a public tongue lashing
Is the partner-to-partner model finally coming of age?
Vendors have been talking about the possibility of their resellers merging with one another for years, and now it seems to be happening
Tech Data-Avnet union may not be the last distie mega-merger of 2017
Doug Woodburn predicts that the distribution skyline is set for more consolidation
We need to stop talking about Uber, Airbnb and Netflix
Why must vendors continually dwell on the success of just three so-called digital disruptors, when so many other firms are doing the same, asks Hannah Breeze?
A message from the editor
CRN is moving monthly
CRN tackles emerging tech
CRN's new Emerging Technology Hub will monitor new vendors entering the UK
Ignore the 'next 100' VARs at your peril
Doug Woodburn runs the rule over the 100 resellers knocking on the door of CRN Top VARs
Four things I've learned from HP, HPE, Dell EMC, Cisco and NetApp partner conferences
Common themes have emerged from some of the top vendors' partner and customer events
The 'genius' of marketing
Well done Asus for a spectacular own goal!
Are we heading for IT distribution oligarchy?
With seven of the top 20 UK distributors of 2010 having been acquired or gone bust, will resellers and vendors soon be faced with a lack of choice, asks Doug Woodburn?
