Channel Brief: VMware Hypervisor Updates, HPE’s AI Partner Push, More

A. Today’s Tech, Channel and MSP News

Good morning! VMware by Broadcom announced more changes -- this time to its Hypervisor for Desktop suite, HPE has a new pilot program aimed at helping partners take advantage of the massive opportunity available with AI and venerable password management company 1Password has a new solution for channel partners and MSPs.

We're also keeping an eye on the push by some U.S. senators for an AI roadmap and Portuguese VC firm Shilling, which has launched a new fund that will invest in growth-stage startups for a longer period of time. Hope you have a great Wednesday!

Are you an MSP that partners with public cloud service providers? It's time for you to step up and get recognized. ChannelE2E opened its annual Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs survey. This is the survey that we use to create our annual Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs ranked list. Here's the link to participate.

And don't forget to submit your idea for a session at the upcoming MSSP Alert Live event! MSSP Alert Live is the premiere cybersecurity event for MSPs and MSSPs. (You can submit your proposal here.) We’re looking for speakers like you who want to share insights and experience and wisdom with peers.

Please check out our industry Mergers and Acquisitions list, updated daily, with an archive that goes all the way back to 2020. Check out the whole thing here. Scroll down for a quick view of upcoming in-person channel and MSP events at the bottom of this post (while we spiff up our industry calendar behind the scenes. It will return!)

And please send your news tips, information, and industry chatter to senior managing editor [email protected].

1. HPE's Partner Ready Vantage Pilot for AI: Hewlett Packard Enterprise announced it will launch a new AI Partner Ready Vantage pilot program to help partners capture the massive AI market opportunity. As CRN reported, HPE is following the same pilot program model it used to pioneer the as-a-service market channel opportunity for partners eight years ago. That approach, through the Zenith program, culminated in the HPE GreenLake pay-per-use channel model. The pilot program is based on a new AI technology partner competency for HPE’s Partner Ready Vantage program, which rewards partners for services investments. HPE also has new competencies that are set to be unveiled in high performance computing, sustainability and sovereignty, which will power the AI partner sales offensive forward, HPE said.

2. US Senators Push for AI Roadmap: Some U.S. senators are pushing for an AI roadmap of a different kind, Reuters reported. The group of senators, led by Chuck Schumer, are calling for a boost in government research funding of artificial intelligence as they debate new legal safeguards. The roadmap suggests drawing on expert input to broach thorny issues arising from the rapid advance of AI, and the senators backed a goal of at least $32 billion a year for non-defense aspects of AI innovation, including funding for a cross-government AI research and development effort, an all-of-government "AI-ready data" initiative and new funding for government AI testing and evaluation infrastructure. In addition, they touted AI's potential to eliminate crippling illnesses, end traffic congestion and provide advanced personalized learning for all students.

3. VC Firm Shilling Eyes Growth-Stage Startups: Venture firm Shilling has launched a €50 million fund to support growth-stage startups in its own portfolio and to invest in startups everywhere else, according to TechCrunch. Shilling is the VC arm of Portuguese private equity firm Draycott SCR, and its newest fund, labeled “Opportunity Fund,” will allow it to support early-stage startups for longer, with investments of up to €5 million for Series A and beyond, TechCrunch reported. According to the firm, over 90% of the fund target was raised at the first close, and the fund has already invested in Shilling portfolio company Coverflex.

4. VMware by Broadcom Updates Desktop Hypervisor: VMware by Broadcom published a blog explaining updates to its VMware Desktop Hypervisor suite that are aimed at simplifying access to virtualization tools for many different use cases. The updates include new license models -- a free personal use or a paid commercial use subscription and a simplified subscription model. With the new commercial model, VMware said, it will now offer a single SKU for users requiring a commercial license. This simplification eliminates 40+ other SKUs and makes quoting and purchasing VMware Desktop Hypervisor apps, Fusion Pro and Workstation Pro, easier. In addition, due to these licensing changes, VMware said Broadcom is discontinuing their lesser counterparts, VMware Workstation Player and VMware Fusion Player. Check out the full blog post here.

5. 1Password Enterprise for Partners: Earlier this year, password management software provider 1Password launched its first channel partner program. Now, the company is releasing a beta of its 1Password Enterprise Password Manager – Partner Edition. As MSP Today reported, this solution includes advanced administration features that enable MSPs to offer a secure and scalable solution for managing client passwords. An intuitive admin console allows MSPs to administer multiple clients, configure managed accounts, access client vaults and unlink them as needed – all from a single location. Granular controls ensure security and compliance with industry regulations for each client. A 1Password Events API allows consolidation of managed account activity data, such as login attempts and item usage, into popular SIEM tools like Datadog, Sumo Logic, Panther and Splunk, according to MSP Today.

B. MSSP Alert Live Call for Papers and Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs

MSSP Alert Live CFP: Are you a thought leader in managed services or managed security services, or do you have a unique approach to an important topic that could help other MSPs or MSSPs? We’re looking for speakers like you to be part of our MSSP Alert Live program for 2024. MSSP Alert Live, the premiere cybersecurity event for MSPs and MSSPs, has opened its call for papers. (You can submit yours here.) We’re looking for speakers like you who want to share insights and experience and wisdom with peers.

Time for Cloud MSPs to get recognized: Are you an MSP that works with public cloud providers? It’s time to get recognized for your work. ChannelE2E opened its annual survey for the Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs. If your MSP practice includes working with a public cloud provider, this survey is for you. Participation is free. The survey closes in June. Submit your MSP today here for recognition! Our list will be released this summer.

C. In-Person MSP and Channel Partner Events