Comment What exactly is end-user computing (EUC)? There are so many different definitions that even vendors can’t agree on a single version of the truth. These range from VDI technology to file sharing across multiple devices to platforms that let you access cloud-based apps.

It has always amused me that we work in an industry that has built up such a bad reputation for overselling that we actually coined the phrase "Shelfware".

There’s a funny thing happening in the channel at the moment. Big Data solutions are absolutely booming, driven by a perfect storm of mobile computing, 4G connectivity, vast quantities of user generated content, cheaper storage, 10GbE networking, and next gen data management technologies like Hadoop. Yet despite flogging loads of Big Data products, resellers are still curiously unaware of the opportunities that exist for them with this latest buzz word.

Phil Doye acknowledges that 21 years after setting up reseller Kelway, he still doesn't have a key for the exit.

I've been an industry analyst a long time – and I have seen a lot of "the next big things" come and go. In fact our appetite as an industry for the next big thing rivals that of Simon Cowell in pursuit of the next big star. And just as Simon's "stars" are usually anything but, so too are we in the IT sector often deluded, and ultimately find ourselves short-changed.

The tech industry channel has faced a variety of challenges over the past year or so when it comes to cloud computing. Distributors in the channel have faced a battle over customers with telecommunications vendors, and some channel partners have found themselves unsure about outlining a cloud strategy. This time we're taking a look at the challenges from the vendor’s point of view.

The 2e2 Group finally called in the administrators to its UK ops* late on Monday 28 January, 2013, a month or two after main senior directors were released and replaced on the instructions of owners Hutton Collins.

Analysis It is hard to believe that three whole years have passed since software giant Oracle instantly became a systems player by snapping up beleaguered Sun Microsystems for a cool $7.4bn – about $5.6bn net of Sun's cash hoard.

Are your favourite vendors helping you to market successfully? We just published a report for our clients where we highlight best practices in marketing enablement, based on a series of interviews with 10 channel partner marketing executives.

Few people would argue that this year has been one of very big highs and lows. From a personal perspective, 2012 will be remembered for the Olympics and Ryder Cup (great), weather (expletive deleted!) and the continued challenges of the economy, especially in the Eurozone.

Apple doesn't just construct retail stores it brews a magical experience that transforms your very existence, or so said Ron Johnson, former retail veep at the firm.

Well, it’s nearly over. For a lot of us 2012 has been a tough old annus horribilis.

Is Microsoft still a safe bet for the IT pro? In a word: No.

Comment John Browett must be pinching himself after his stint as Apple's retail veep came to an abrupt and unceremonious end this week, despite stellar numbers from his division of the firm.