Channel Brief: Flexera Acquires Spot by NetApp

It's the start of a new year, and you know what that means: It's time for Verizon Business's annual State of Small Business Survey.

Not surprisingly, technology -- including lots of AI -- is going to play a huge role for SMBs this year, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. The report showed that more than a third (38%) of respondents added to their tech stacks purely to improve cybersecurity measures in the last year.

Just shy of a quarter (24%) of SMBs surveyed reportedly currently use AI for cybersecurity purposes for their business; nearly 60% have upgraded security tools for networks and devices and implemented cybersecurity measures over the past year. 

SMBs are growing more confident in their ability to defend against cyberattacks than they were in 2023. Nearly two thirds (74%) prioritize protection measures and 71% are boosting cybersecurity investments. And their employees are getting smarter about security threats, too. Half (52%) of SMBs implemented cybersecurity training for employees in the past year, compared to only 31% the year prior. 

As always, drop me a line at [email protected] if you have news to share or want to say hi!

Grab your coffee. Here's what you need to know today.

Today’s Tech, Channel and MSP News

1. Flexera to acquire Spot by NetApp: IT spending and risk management company Flexera, will acquire the Spot by NetApp FinOps business from NetApp, the companies announced today. The acquisition will boost Flexera’s ability to help customers manage growing multi-cloud costs and FinOps needs across a hybrid cloud, SaaS applications and containers, the companies said.

2. Granite rolls out Access360: IT and communications services provider Granite rolled out AccessExpress to complete its Granite360 all-in-one customer management portal, the company said in a statement. AccessExpress lets customers compare, customize, and order connectivity and IT services across multiple locations from a single dashboard. The other components of Granite 360 include TechExpress for initiating and managing field tech dispatch and NOCExpress for monitoring and managing carrier services.

3. Trellix expands partner program: Cybersecurity services provider Trellix is revamping its Trellix Xtend Partner Program and has named Kurt Mills as its SVP and global channel chief. Updates to the program include new cybersecurity training and educational resources and access to Trellix’s Security Platform.

4. Cresta's ISO/IEC 42001 AI certification: Cresta said this week the company has become the first contact center AI provider to secure the new ISO/IEC 42001 certification – the international standard that provides organizations with specific guidelines when developing, implementing, and maintaining Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS).

5. Smartsheet's new partner VP: Smartsheet announced this week it has appointed Eva Schoenleitner as Vice President of Partner. Schoenleitner will lead Smartsheet’s partner ecosystem, encompassing solution providers, business partners, and system integrators. She will collaborate with the company’s business and product leaders to deepen partner engagements, drive market expansion strategies, and deliver greater value to customers. Congratulations!

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