Dell pilot ready for VARs

Dell`s new channel chief said Monday that the once direct-only company is expecting to launch a pilot deal registration programme for VARs within 30 days, and that when it rolls out a broader channel programme it would be a much different model than competitors offer, says CRN.

Greg Davis, VP of Dell channels for its Americas region, told CMP Channel the company was also actively considering a unique online element to future programme offerings for solution providers. At the same time, he acknowledged the Texas-based company has much work ahead of it to build its indirect business.

"The channel partners we have today are very vocal about how we can improve," Davis said.

Hitachi Data Systems` first foray into the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) market is unlikely to hurt incumbents Hewlett-Packard and EMC, says Australian IT News.

HDS recently unveiled the Hitachi Simple Modular Storage Model 100, a storage system aimed at SMEs, with a starting price of $6 000 for 1TB capacity. The platform will be available through its channel partner Acer.

Unlike some of its rivals, HDS`s offering was not a `dumbed down` version of its enterprise range, Simon Elisha, HDS Australia head solutions architect, said.

SAP has fleshed out some of the details of its US partner strategy for Business ByDesign, its newest on-demand software suite aimed at the mid-market, reports eChannelline.

Business ByDesign is the software vendor`s latest attempt to "reach the SME market that everyone is going after," said Eric Duffaut, SAP`s executive VP of global SME sales and channels.

The business software supports customers across key business areas, including financials, customer relationship management, human resources management, supply chain management, project management, supplier relationship management, compliance management, and executive management support.