The Test Center highlights noteworthy PC components that came through the lab so far this year. Manufacturers' ability to build components that support both quad- and dual-core hardware platforms continues to impress us.
Acer's latest Aspire Gemstone laptops come just in time for the holiday shopping blitz, targeting consumers with a range of entertainment-focused models.
It's been a busy quarter for shakeups in some of the industry's top channel companies. Here we look at several channel executives who have come and gone in the last few months.
Inside This Issue: September 2008
(*includes GovernmentVAR)
Cover Story
How To Sell IT In Tough Times
There is more than enough opportunity in the IT industry for solution providers who know how to increase sales even in a sagging economic climate. Increasing the focus on managed services and offering the latest technology are just a few ways for VARs keep their businesses thriving in tough times.
>> To Do Well In A Shaky Economy, Look Within
The State Of Technology: Security
Security Stays Strong
Despite the struggling economy, security remains a profitable business for the IT industry. The results of Everything Channel's State of Technology: Security survey show that solution providers are optimistic about growth in the security market.
>> Slide Show: State Of Technology: Security
>> Data Loss Prevention
>> Access Control/Authenication
>> Antimalware
>> Perimeter Security
>> Web Security
>> Compliance
>> Endpoint Security
>> Services
The Security 100 Databank
No slowdown here, as VARs expect big things in a wide range of technologies.
Slide Show: 10 Biggest Security Threats Of The Future
Solution providers surveyed in this year's Everything Channel State Of Technology: Security study picked their greatest concerns.
Drill Down
Slide Show: The 2008 ARC Awards
Everything Channel's Annual report Card Awards Dinner at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Dallas marked another banner evening for one of the most anticipated channel events of the year.
The Force Is With Them
VARBusiness went behind the scenes with Kevin Clark, director of IT operations at Lucasfilm Ltd., and gave us a sneak peek at what it's like to manage one of the busiest data centers in the industry.
VoIP And The Beanstalk
As their Magic Beans business expanded, Sheri and Eli Gurock needed a VoIP solution that could keep up, and found it with the help of All Business Communications.
Summer Stack-Up
VARs leverage economic woes and natural disasters to give summer SMB sales a jolt.
Slide Show: MSP Mythbusters: Answers To Some Common Misconceptions
The truth is out there about MSPs is (probably) wrong
Head Of The Class
CSI Technology Outfitters Inc. has a loyal education client following.
Enter The Talent Show
To lure new recruits in a shrinking talent pool, you need to think a little diifferently.
Storage
Customers Now Expect It
Adoption by major vendors means data deduplication has reached the mainstream. With so many customers now aware of its importance, solution providers should view dedupe as must-offer technology.
>> Demystifying Dedupe
Tech Advantage: UPS
Not Down With Backups?
Despite the recent overwhelming evidence proving the necessity of a power backup plan, the majority of small businesses still do not have backup power supplies. In a push to raise awareness of this widely ignored issue, power supply vendors have been aggressively working to provide UPS and power backup solutions for small-business customers.
System Builder
Turning Talk To Text
The Test Center takes a look at the newest speech engine from Nuance Communications. In addition to all of the previous version's bells and whistles, Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 now boasts delay-free transcription and a new acoustic technique that adapts to regional and foreign accents.
Alternatives
SecNap's Solid Security
GovernmentVAR: September 2008
Cover Story
Government Goes Green
Political pressure, shrinking budgets force agencies to be energy-efficient.
>> Three Ways To Expand Sales Via Green IT
>> Recycling Awareness Creates Demand For 'Green' Products
Feature
Eye On Virtualization
Channel sould prepare for perfect storm for virtualization in the public sector as government jumps on bandwagon.
In Briefs
Slide Show: LinuxWorld Attendees Refurbish Aging PCs For Schools
Ingram Micro Offers Green IT Assessment Tool
Judge Lifts Gag Order Allows Freedom Of Speech For MIT Students
HP Drops Gold, Platinum For Preferred And Elite
Special Section
Slide Show: 15 Back-To-School Computing Bargains
It's fall and a new school year, and students and educators are feeling the pinch of a tough economy just like everyone else. With that in mind, GovernmenVAR staff took the liberty to hunt down 15 computing and other high-tech bargains that depending on the features needed, might save a bundle.
These articles were mentioned in the current issue of VARBusiness.
• EFF To Appeal Court Halting Students Subway Hacking Presentation
• Smart VAR Gets An 'A' In Classroom Support
• Slide Show: MSP Mythbusters: Answers To Some Common Misconceptions
• Toy Store's VoIP Solution Is "All Business"
• Video: SMBs Increasingly Rely On Managed Services
• Video: Big Profits In A Small Package
• Video: VAR Takes Step Beyond VoIP
• Trend Micro Channel Chief Resigns
• A Glimpse Of The Future: 12 Mobile Devices From CTIA Fall 2008
• HP, Others Pledge Support For Microsoft's Hyper-V Platform
• All The Pretty Laptops: 10 Cool Notebook PCs
VARBUSINESS VOICES
Channel Man:
Robert C. DeMarzo
A Fresh Take On Innovation
Some of the most innovative minds in the technology industry were front and center at Everything Channel's RetailVision Fall event in San Diego, and these inspired individuals and inventors were all there with one purpose in mind: getting their product to market.
