Good morning, channel partners. Here are five technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to start your day for Tuesday, July 18, 2017.
Actually, there are 1o timely updates for VARs, managed services providers (MSPs), cloud services providers (CSPs), independent software vendors (ISVs), telco master agents and telco agents to sip on. Take a look…
10. Google Fiber CEO Exits: Google Fiber CEO Gregory McCray is stepping down after only five months on the job, and the company is seeking a replacement. Larry Page, CEO of parent company Alphabet, insists he remains strongly committed to the Google Fiber business -- even though the unit had staff cuts in October 2016. McCray's departure comes after his alleged attempts at humor apparently alienated some Google Fiber employees, according to Blooomberg. However, it's unclear if the alleged HR dustup had anything to do with his departure.
9. Oracle Cloud Talent: Oracle is hiring 1,000 employees in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as it expands its cloud computing services in the region, Bloomberg says. The report did not mention alleged Oracle layoffs that apparently unfolded in June 2017. EMEA represented roughly 28 percent of Oracle's revenues last year, but sales in the region declined 2 percent last year to $10.6 billion, as customers shifted away from Oracle’s traditional enterprise computing software, Bloomberg added.
8. SAP Shakeup In South Africa: SAP has named a new executive team in South Africa. The company put four senior managers on leave, pending its investigations into allegations that the business was involved in a government bribery scheme, according to Reuters.
7. NCR Managed Services: NCR has launched "new, simplified managed services for Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) in the U.S.," the company says. The managed services can monitor, maintain, secure and manage ATMs, NCR asserts. NCR didn't mention whether partners can participate in the managed services.
6. IBM Earnings Today: Big Blue is expected to announce quarterly earnings this afternoon. While some pundits think the company may finally announce quarterly revenue growth, others aren't so upbeat. Barclays says IBM is leaning more and more on cost cuts -- rather than organic revenue growth -- to drive earnings. The market watcher even hints that IBM could cut its overall profit forecast for the year... For now, that's just speculation. Actual answers will emerge later today.
5. Cloud Consulting: DataSite, a wholesale data center space and network service provider, has launched a cloud and IT enablement division called DataSite Atmosphere. The division "uses a consultative approach to craft cloud and managed IT solutions designed to specific customer needs and requirements," DataSite asserts.
4. IoT Certification: AT&T Partner Exchange is introducing self-service tools, mobile APIs and an Internet of Things (IoT) training certification. The new mobility API functions allows solution providers to suspend/restore service, manage subscriber profiles and update customer plans, AT&T says.
3. M&A: Francisco Partners has acquired Sandvine Corp. for roughly CAD $562 million, and is merging the business with Procera Networks. Together, the two companies will provide network intelligence solutions to communication service providers worldwide. According to the companies:
- Sandvine’s network policy control solutions add intelligence to fixed, mobile and converged communication service provider networks, to increase revenue, reduce network costs and improve subscriber quality of experience.
- Procera provides network visibility and control across mobile and fixed broadband networks, allowing operators to improve the quality of subscriber experience.
2. M&A: SQUAN of Englewood, N.J., has acquired Communications Specialists Inc. of Fishkill, N.Y. Financial terms weren't disclosed. SQUAN is a telecom infrastructure service provider. CSI provides aerial and underground fiber construction services for the telecommunications and cable TV industry. The company supports large and small-scale projects for Multiple Services Operators (MSOs), Internet Services Providers (ISPs) and wireless network operators.
1. Bubble, Greed Warning?: Still convinced that the current Wall Street boom won't go bust? Check out this timely reminder that even the "experts" can get it wrong. The red alert involves a $2 billion private equity fund that's now nearly worthless, according to The Wall Street Journal.
