Channel Brief: Syncro Names new Channel Chief

TechCrunch reported that the FTC is reportedly investigating whether Microsoft used anti-competitive tactics to maintain a dominant position in the cloud market.

According to Financial Times, the agency is investigating allegations that Microsoft imposed punitive licensing agreements to prevent customers from moving data off its platforms.

According to FT, the FTC is also investigating claims that Microsoft hiked subscription fees for customers who wanted to leave, made its products incompatible with rivals, and charged steep exit fees.

It’s unclear how far the FTC’s investigation will progress. FTC chair Lina Khan’s tenure may end with the start of Donald Trump’s presidency.

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. Cirata launches data migration-as-a-service (DMaaS): Hadoop data migration automation firm Cirata launched its data migration-as-a-service (DMaaS). The DMaaS is designed to streamline large-scale cloud migrations and simplify data transfer for enterprises with complex data needs, the company said. This new service enables businesses to efficiently migrate Hadoop and other data ecosystems to the cloud, reducing migration timelines and minimizing disruption.

2. Syncro names Andy Cormier as channel chief: Syncro, a leading platform provider for managed service providers (MSP) and IT professionals, today announced the promotion of Andy Cormier, an MSP industry veteran, to channel chief. Cormier has been a key advocate for Syncro’s customers and a well-recognized voice in the MSP market, the company said. In his new role, he will further champion Syncro’s partners, serving as the “voice of the customer” to ensure the company meets and exceeds the needs of its customers. Cormier will also lead Syncro’s strategic initiatives across marketplaces, partnerships, and alliances, focusing on expanding the company’s MSP ecosystem to drive more value for its MSP partners. Congratulations!

3. Mission Cloud, CrowdStrike launch Mission Cloud Secure: Mission Cloud and CrowdStrike have teamed up to launch Mission Cloud Secure—a fully managed cloud detection and response (CDR) SaaS solution exclusively for AWS customers, powered by CrowdStrike Falcon. The solution delivers 24/7, real-time protection for AWS customers, safeguarding cloud workloads, data, and identities against sophisticated threats. It was designed to stop breaches before they impact business operations, supporting proactive threat detection, rapid remediation, and compliance readiness in cloud-native environments.

4. Cloudera acquires Octopai, launches Copilot for Cloudera AI: Hybrid data, analytics, and AI platform Cloudera has acquired Octopai’s data lineage and catalog platform, the company said. With the addition of Octopai, Cloudera customers will gain visibility across myriad data solutions. This is the second acquisition Cloudera has made this year, following its June acquisition of Verta’s Operational AI platform. Cloudera also introduced intelligent assistant capabilities, making it one of the first data and analytics platform vendors to deliver an AI assistant specifically tailored for data practitioners.

5. Parallells RAS 20 now available: Desktop virtualization and end-user computing firm Parallels today announced availability of Parallels RAS 20 (Remote Application Server), the latest version of its virtual application and desktop delivery solution. This release focuses on two key features: Seamless application delivery on Windows 365 Cloud PCs, and robust support for applications hosted on-premises, in private clouds, and across public clouds such as Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and AWS. Additionally, the latest Parallels Client enables users to access local, remote, Windows, web, and SaaS applications side-by-side.