VARBusiness 'Channel 2.0' Initiative Examines Long-Term Future of the IT Reseller ChannelThe Yearlong Project will Define the Integration Industry through 2013 and BeyondPRNewswire MANHASSET, N.Y., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- "Channel 2.0," a collaborative, industry-wide project to map the future of the information-technology (IT) distribution and reseller channel, has been launched by the CMP Channel Group's VARBusiness magazine, to define the industry through 2013. The yearlong initiative creates a working group that seeks to define the channel's form, function and operating environment over the next five years. Lawrence M. Walsh, editor of the biweekly that covers the technology integration market, notes that most businesses operate from quarter to quarter and plan only annually. "Strategic thinking, if any, is often limited to 18 to 24 months," Walsh said. "Often, businesses are trapped in a short-term view of the world; they don't look far over the horizon to see what's coming next." VARBusiness brings to the table all parties who touch the channel for this groundbreaking project to examine the issues and trends unfolding in the channel today and how solution providers and vendors shape the channel of the future. The magazine has established a working group of IT vendors, solution providers, distributors, end users and market analysts for the yearlong effort. "For any business, it's important to study market dynamics, industry trends and tested and untried business models. Then you need to develop a strategy and plot a course that will guide your company to its future," added Mike Cox, CEO and president of Logicalis and member of the Channel 2.0 study group. "Logicalis applauds VARBusiness for taking an industry-wide approach to help its readers plan their futures." During the course of its yearlong deliberations, the group will explore such issues as methods by which vendors will structure their channel programs; how solution providers will shape their businesses; what roles distributors will serve; and who will control end-user relationships. They also will seek to define what presales, postsales, technical and marketing support will mean to solution providers and vendors. VARBusiness will publish periodic updates on Channel 2.0's progress, as well as host live and virtual events to elicit comments on the issues examined by the group. "Looking ahead is critical to business success. Good partners are truly an extension of the customers they serve. Understanding the changing role of the channel ensures that vendors stay close to the changing needs of the customer and proactive about changing market dynamics," said Stanley P. Jaworski, vice president of worldwide channel marketing at storage-software vendor Network Appliance and member of the Channel 2.0 study group. Channel 2.0 will conclude in January 2008 with a white paper that blueprints the channel of the future, providing detailed prescriptions for reseller and service provider business models, the role of distribution and how vendors should shape their reseller programs. "VARBusiness is putting all of its thought, leadership, industry contacts and research muscle into this project," Walsh said. "Meaningful strategic change takes three to five years to implement. Through this communal effort, we want to provide strategic guidance for the channel to thrive through 2013 and beyond." The Channel 2.0 initiative is described in "Long View," the cover story of the Jan. 8, 2007, issue of VARBusiness magazine and available online at http://www.varbusiness.com/. About VARBusiness Magazine For the past 19 years, VARBusiness' strategic resources have been the gateway to the Solution Provider community. VARBusiness provides strategic insight for technology integrators through industry-defining research, in- depth editorial, channel events and innovative Web services, enabling these IT professionals to make educated decisions for their businesses, partnerships and customers. VARBusiness has been the recipient of numerous industry awards for both editorial content and design. Additional information about VARBusiness products, events and services, is available at its Web site, http://www.varbusiness.com/. About CMP Channel Group (http://www.cmpchannelgroup.com/) CMP Channel Group is the one-stop shop customers turn to in order to meet their global sales channel objectives from access to execution. Through use of its print products which include CRN and VARBusiness, their accompanying websites, the broader ChannelWeb network, the Group's XChange worldwide face- to-face conferences and the Institute for Partner Education & Development (IPED), vendors are able to accelerate sales through the channel. CMP Channel Group provides a worldwide answer to advertising, branding and marketing services, lead generation, market intelligence, branded and custom events, education of solution providers and best practices for vendors. About CMP Technology (http://www.cmp.com/) CMP Technology is a marketing-solutions company serving the technology industry. Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands, CMP has earned the confidence of more technology professionals than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP Technology is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion. Contact: Gordon Plutsky
CMP Media Channel Group
(516) 562-7766
SOURCE: CMP Technology CONTACT: Gordon Plutsky of CMP Media Channel Group, +1-516-562-7766 Web site: http://www.varbusiness.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/141733.html |