XChange Solution Provider 2014 Coverage

Check out CRN's exclusive coverage and analysis of XChange Solution Provider 2014.

XChange Solution Provider 2014

XChange Solution Provider 2014 in Los Angeles is done, but there is still plenty to digest from the IT channel's premier live event. Hosted by CRN publisher The Channel Company, this year's conference brought together 225 solution provider decision-makers from across North America, representing more than $5 billion in dedicated IT buying power.

Checkout all of CRN's exclusive coverage and analysis of XChange Solution Provider 2014.

Samsung To Partners: 'Think Big'

In a keynote address at XChange 2014, Samsung said it was "100 percent channel-focused" and outlined its vision for technology, business and the channel for the next year.

XChange: How To Turn Your VAR Business Into A Cloud Business

Alex Brown of 10th Magnitude talks at XChange Solution Provider 2014 about organizational and strategy changes that VARs need to make to become a cloud player.

Solution Providers Reap Rewards Of 'Six Pillars Of The Cloud'

Solution providers playing in the six firmly established pillars of the cloud say life is better for them and their customers.

XChange: Solution Providers Are Selling Themselves Short On The Cloud

Solution providers are stunting their own success by sticking their heads in the sand and ignoring the cloud instead of capitalizing on the opportunity, says business consultant Terry Hedden.

Women Of The Channel: What Do We Want From Our Millennial Workforce?

In a panel at XChange 2014, Women of the Channel executives discussed the millennial generation and how they would advise women coming into the channel workforce today.

Oracle Exec: We're Getting Much Better At Working With The Channel

Oracle recently lost highly regarded channel executive Mitch Breen to a startup, but another top channel executive says the vendor is getting a lot more channel friendly.

Microsoft Exec: Partners That Migrate Customers From XP To Windows 7 Are 'Shortchanging' Customers

Microsoft SMB channel executive Cindy Bates says partners should be talking to XP-using customers about migrating to Windows 8.1, not Windows 7.

5 Ways To Improve Your Security And Disaster Recovery Sales Conversations

Take a look at five effective ways one business said it was able to grow its sales by having a better conversation around security and disaster recovery.

Channel Chief Cook: Dell As A 'Startup' Brings Opportunities To Channel Partners

Cheryl Cook, Dell's channel chief, told solution provider attendees at this week's XChange Solution Provider conference that a newly-private Dell is bringing new opportunities to partners looking to help customers transition to cloud, mobility, and other applications.

Gartner: Focusing Sales Pitches On Tech Is No Longer State-Of-The-Art

Speaking at XChange Solution Provider 2014, Gartner's Tiffani Bova explained why VARs need to alter their sales models to focus on customer experiences.

IBM: Address Market Disruptions Before It's Too Late

IBM's Tami Duncan tells XChange attendees that the data deluge, the cloud and social technologies already are impacting customers' business models -- and partners need to move fast.

10 Ways To Have A More Effective IT Sales Conversation

In a session at XChange Solution Provider 2014, Ryan Estis offers 10 tips on changing the sales conversation and driving more sales.

Mobile Security: Shedding Light On A Topic Usually Shrouded In Dark

The rise of personal mobile devices and applications is creating opportunities for solution providers to help businesses secure those devices and the data inside them.

HP, Juniper Put Partner Empowerment In Spotlight At XChange

Hewlett-Packard and Juniper Networks shined the spotlight on highly profitable partner programs at the XChange Solution Provider conference.

Rocket Science And The Channel: What VARs And A Mission To Mars Have In Common

Adam Steltzner, lead engineer at NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, at XChange Solution Provider 2014 shared lessons the channel can take away from the Mars Curiosity rover landing.

Datto Upgrades SMB Disaster Recovery Families, Adds NAS With Cloud Backup

Datto has expanded its SIRIS and Alto line of hybrid on-premise and cloud data protection appliances with higher performance and scalability, and unveiled a new NAS appliance with cloud data protection capabilities.

There Are No Shortcuts When Transforming Your Business To Managed Services

Speaking at XChange Solution Provider 2014, David Powell of TekLinks offers up some advice for transitioning a traditional solution provider business to a recurring revenue model-based business.

Possibilities vs. Consequences: Helping Clients See The Value Of Disaster Recovery

Getting your clients to think about disaster recovery and security in terms of possibilities, not consequences, can open the door for solution providers.

4 Tips For (Successfully) Selling Managed Services

TruMethods President Gary Pica spent 12 years building a top MSP. Here are his four tips on establlishing a thriving, profitable and successful managed services practice.