By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

Imagine a world where VARs and integrators could configure any type of technology within any type of situation – no strings attached. Often times these individuals are faced with so many restrictions and fine print of what they can and cannot do, and the expenses required, that they question if the project is even worth their while. Such is often the case in the unified communications world, unless of course the system the VAR is working with is based on an open source network.

Now imagine if a vendor existed that actually provided SMB solution providers with that “luxury,” where they could cost effectively offer their end users an open source network at a reasonable price. Such is the case with Digium, the Asterisk Company, which upon its creation in 1999, was built with these situations in mind. It is almost as if the company’s founder, Mark Spencer, could read the mind’s of today’s SMB solution providers.

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By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

When most of us hear the word “separation” or “split” it usually has a negative connotation. However, in the case of Motorola, Inc., this couldn’t be further from the truth. Back in 2008, when I was covering the SMB VAR channel at another publication, Motorola announced that it had plans in the works to separate the company’s consumer and enterprise offerings into two distinct divisions, currently known as Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility.

Some might also remember that the now Motorola Solutions acquired Symbol Technologies just about three years for $3.9 billion. The acquisition was based on Motorola’s desire to expand its channel program through its public safety solutions, mobile computing technology, advanced data capture, integrated command and control communications, WLAN solutions and advanced services. The acquisition also allowed Motorola access to the former Symbol’s RFID business, which at the time, was predicted to skyrocket, especially as Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club placed mandatory shipping label regulations on its customers.

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By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

Back in 2004, after having not attending any formal education classes for about eight years, I decided that it was time to return to the books and obtain my master’s degree in communications. I was ready, and it was a good time in my career to renew my desire for learning. However, with my busy full-time work schedule, plus commuting back in forth into Manhattan every day, I feared that inconvenience would get in the way of my desire to learn.

These fears, however, were soon alleviated, when I went to visit with the admissions counselor at my undergraduate alma mater, Seton Hall University. I expressed my concerns about working a full-time job and being able to return to school – and most importantly how to do both successfully. The counselor then brought up the idea of something called “distance learning.” I responded: “You mean like the University of Phoenix?” “Even better,” he replied. “You will be receiving the same attention and curriculum as you would if you were to attend classes here on campus.” Best of all, he added that I would be part of a group of students who all had the same professional career goals in mind.

That was 6 years ago, and now, more than ever, higher learning institutions all over the world have added a distance learning component to their curriculums. In addition, industry trade associations, for instance, such as CompTIA’s e-Learning and Certification Center in which IT professionals can utilize during their busy day, all from the convenience of their laptops.

Continuing this tradition, CompTIA announced yesterday that it has further added to its mission of certification and education, this time specific to the storage sector. The organization is currently collaborating with the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA), to develop and market jointly a new professional certification for IT workers responsible for storage networking and information management.

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By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

Keeping in sync with its competitors, Tigerpaw Software made an announcement today that it has launched its Fast Track program, designed to help VARs and MSPs quickly implement the company’s software program within their respective businesses. Fast Track is based on industry best practices that are tailored to an organization’s unique and specific needs.

In just the two short weeks I have been with SMB Nation, I feel as though I have constantly mentioned that today’s SMB solution providers are always looking for new resources to add -- since they are always plagued with lack of time and money. I probably sound like a “broken record,” (well to those who were born before 1985, and who actually can relate to classic vinyl) however this is an important issue of which I feel very passionate. Therefore, I am always excited to share with our readers when a company, such as Tigerpaw, creates a resource that will help make an SMB VAR’s job easier and (hopefully) less stressful.

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By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

This first week of the New Year brings SMB Nation to Las Vegas to attend the Consumer Electronics Show. While I won’t be attending this year’s event, SMB Nation will still be out in full force where our own Harry Brelsford and Matt Makowicz will be milling about the show floor.

I also heard that rapper 50 Cent, and actor Adrian Grenier, whom you might know better as “Vincent Chase” from the HBO series “Entourage,” are also expected to make appearances at the show. Aside from A-List celebrity sightings, performances by band Earth, Wind & Fire and other musical guests, the show, sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is mainly a platform for thousands of exhibitors, which use the event as  a launching pad for their newest products – and the SMB side is no exception.

Lenovo, which has a presence on both the consumer and SMB sides, announced today that it will be showing off a pair of new laptops that are expected (according to the company) to elevate SMB  computing with high-level design, cutting-edge technologies and extra features to go beyond business computing. The company’s new ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s laptops will be part of its CES product showcase located in the Venetian Hotel’s AquaKnox restaurant.

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By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

I had a conversation earlier this week with Aaron Booker, one of the co-founders of Varvid, an Internet Delivered Video (IDV) production and marketing company located in Bellingham, WA. Booker, a former VAR who at one time worked for Apple, knows the benefits of online video first hand.

However, Booker, and his co-founder Mike Simmons, also wanted to see how they could tap video within the SMB community. Members of an HTG peer group had seen Varvid's online case study and testimonial videos, and wanted to get involved. But a couple of things were standing in their way -- lack of time and money. Realizing that most SMB VARs don’t have upwards of $7,000-$10,000) to invest in such a project, Booker and Simmons came up with the idea of “Do it Yourself” video (with a little help from Varvid, too!).

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By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

StorageCraft Technology, the Draper, UT-based backup and disaster recovery software company, is offering its VARs a special discount when they upgrade their end user customers from the company’s ShadowProtect version 3 licenses to version 4.

According to a company announcement distributed to StorageCraft partners, those who have already purchased a StorageCraft ShadowProtect version 3 license, can now qualify for a special 50% discount off of MSRP when upgrading to version 4. The upgrade also includes the company’s new VirtualBoot™ technology, allowing users to boot a ShadowProtect backup image as a virtual machine in under 5 minutes.

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SMB Nation Presents our Greatest Hits 0f 2010

By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

Just like most of pop culture’s famous A-List musicians, namely Michael Jackson, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen, we at SMB Nation have also joined these celebrities with our own greatest hits of 2010.  While the news remained steady within the SMB IT channel from January, all the way until the days before the Christmas holiday season, one thing is for sure in that no one can say that 2010 left the SMB channel out of the headlines. From this summer’s HP CEO sexual harassment scandal, to a more positive double executive appointment announcement by Autotask in late December, the SMB news ticker offered a steady pulse.

Click below to view my picks on what stood out in my mind as the top headlines concerning the SMB channel in 2010:

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By Regina Ciardiello (Managing Editor, SMB PC)

Earlier this week, Kutenda, the Colorado-based MSP marketing services company, announced integration with three of the channel’s most well-known PSA software programs. Already providing a seamless marketing services program for its MSP customers, Kutenda signed a deal with PSAs ConnectWise, Autotask and Tigerpaw to make managing contacts generated by Kutenda promotions a seamless process for its MSP partners.

So what does this mean for Kutenda MSPs who are also working with at least one of the PSAs mentioned in the trio deal? They are now able to streamline workflows and contact management in conjunction with Kutenda’s marketing services – all from one centralized platform. The transfer of inbound contact/lead information is automated to populate within Kutenda’s contact manager and the MSP’s PSA provider of choice.

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by Regina Ciardiello

Yesterday cloud-based software company Doyenz provided an early holiday gift to its VAR and distributor partners with the release of Partnercloud.

 Known in SMB VAR circles for its Shadowcloud disaster recovery platform, the Bellevue, Wash.-based company has developed Partnercloud with the intention of allowing partners to accelerate sales of disaster recovery services and also generate new opportunities.

The new “self-serve” release also gives partners quick access to knowledge base materials, sales presentations, and virtually acts as a marketing tool allowing them to brand any promotional materials as their own.

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