Light at the end of the channel

Recent reports by Amazon Consulting and managed security services provider MXLogic show glimmers of optimism among solution providers, IT vendors and end users, says Channel Insider.

Despite the gloom-and-doom atmosphere surrounding 2009's economic outlook, both vendors and solution providers are surprisingly optimistic about their prospects this year. The top five channel trends expected by both vendors and solution providers include continued growth and increased collaboration.

Most vendors expected their partners to grow at or above their own company growth rate, anywhere from 1% to 10%. Growth will be especially high for solution providers that identify as ISVs, SaaS or managed services providers, according to Amazon Consulting.

Omniture, a provider of online business optimisation software, says its worldwide channel partner programme now includes more than 500 certified agency and channel distribution partners, including WPP, IBM, Sapient, Soft Bank Technologies and others, reports Market Wire.

The programme more than doubled in size in 2008, with channel revenue growing more than 100%. In addition, partners contributed more than $50 million in revenue to Omniture in 2008.

In recognition of these accomplishments, Mark Dillon, vice-president of worldwide channel sales for Omniture, has been selected as a 2009 Channel Chief by CRN magazine.

ShoreTel is on the hunt for PBX partners and systems integrators in Queensland, Sydney and Adelaide, as part of a three-pronged strategy to expand its install base, states CRN Australia.

Managing director of ShoreTel South East Asia, Vasili Triant, revealed the channel expansion was on the cards after announcing a partnership with Telstra to offer ShoreTel products through its Business System programme.

The Telstra deal, signed in February, came on the back of a recommendation from its local distributor, Aria Technologies.

Microsoft has filed lawsuits against four Canadian resellers for selling unlicensed copies of product software, reports Channel Insider.

The lawsuits are born out of secret monitoring programme through which Microsoft looks for illegal and unauthorised product sales activities among its solution provider and reseller partners.

The vendor has also for the first time disclosed its ongoing channel and monitoring actions, which includes strategies like mystery shoppers, mediation meetings and ongoing monitoring.