XP Launches; Channels Collide

Microsoft released Windows XP yesterday, and the launch included all the hoopla we've come to expect from such events--from Bill Gates, Rudy and Regis bantering, to a concert by Sting. While the launch is certainly a headline-grabber for Microsoft--and a welcome shot in the arm for New York City-- will it make much difference out in the solution provider marketplace? Gates closed the curtain on the DOS era, but whether businesses will flock to Microsoft's vision of networked services is much less certain. And indeed our informal website polling shows solution providers aren't expecting a big lift from Windows XP, at least not any time soon. Get a complete wrap-up in our News Center.

Channel Conflict

"If this economy continues to slide, and some very significant vendors make a few more missteps, I'm convinced we will enter a phase of channel conflict the likes of which we have never experienced." That's the prediction from Robert Faletra, president of CMP's Technology Solutions group (which includes the ChannelWeb network).

For proof, go no further than Ingram Micro's VentureTech Network conference, held this week, where Compaq solution providers demanded Ingram's help in preventing Compaq from underselling them. That article, by CRN's Mike Cruz, generated the most reader Talk Backs this week. In fact, four out of the five most talked-about articles concerned Compaq in one way or another. And in the only one that wasn't, EMC CEO Joe Tucci was quoted as saying "a little conflict is good."

Earnings, Week 2

It was another big week on the earnings front. This week's reports came in from BMC, ATG, Intel, Sapient, F5, Avnet, Digital River, Digex, EDS, CompuCom, Diamond Cluster, Ariba, Arrow Electronics, Keane, Compaq, Citrix, Corio, Tanning, Lucent, and Scient.

Best of the Week

Channel conflict isn't everywhere. For the first time, Intel broke out it's channel revenue in a conference call, announcing that 30% of its microprocessor sales came via indirect channel partners.

VARBusiness' Rob Wright sat down with eXcelon CEO Joe Bellini to discuss XML, the economy, and eXcelon's merger with integrator C-Bridge.