D&H Offers VARs Cloud-Based Solutions And Education To Enhance SMB Productivity
April 5, 2012
D&H is Helping VARs Develop Cloud-based Opportunities, Offering Solutions, Tools and Instructional Resources Along with Partners Such as Microsoft, Cisco and Others
D&H Distributing, the leading computer products and consumer electronics distributor, is teaching resellers in the SMB space how to transition their end-users toward cloud-based technologies, including hosted network management, storage and security solutions. These products come from trusted industry leaders such as Microsoft, Cisco, Iomega and EVGA. In the SMB environment, these new cloud-based applications will likely augment the SMB end-user's existing infrastructures, creating efficiencies and reducing costs, as opposed to wholesale replacements for existing networks.
"The cloud represents a break-through shift in how businesses can store, deliver and access their data and applications. For most SMB businesses, a cloud-based strategy will complement their existing on-premises architecture, rather than converting to a full-blown hosted network," confirmed Dan Schwab, co-president at D&H. "Those businesses will need guidance as to what kind of cloud capabilities will best serve their business models. That's where we come in for the VAR, educating them on a range of SMB-scaled options in the cloud."
Smart Cloud Options
D&H is supporting Microsoft's cloud initiative by way of its "SMB Smart Cloud Solutions," a collection of products that increase productivity through hosted IT services and applications. These technologies give business people access to tools and data from anywhere with an Internet connection, enabling greater collaboration and mobility. These include the Microsoft Office 365 suite, collaborative versions of Office's standard business tools; Windows Intune, which lets end-users secure and manage and their PCs from virtually anywhere; and Microsoft Dynamics CRM, which delivers cloud-based access to the end-user's customer data.
To educate resellers about Microsoft's cloud platforms, D&H and Microsoft are presenting the Cloud Smart Solutions Webcast Series. This consists of an April 4 session, "The Microsoft Online Service Provider Agreement (MOSPA) Exam Prep," and a May 3 session, "Top 10 Cloud Partner Resources." Both 30-minute webcasts will be followed by a live Q&A session. Customers can also view the series' March webcast, "How the Cloud Changes Everything and Nothing at All," on-demand at dandh.com.
VARs can find these and other D&H/Microsoft cloud-oriented resources at the distributor's online Microsoft Mini Site. The company has established a dedicated email address, microsoftcloud@dandh.com, for more information. And D&H will continue to offer cloud-related content throughout its 2012 trade show schedule.
Service Revenues in the Cloud
D&H VARs can gain incremental revenues through managed services via Cisco's new cloud-based OnPlus service. OnPlus is a competitively priced, Internet-based platform that lets resellers conduct remote managed network assessment and repair through a simple data portal. The affordable Cisco OnPlus 100 Network Agent appliance, which resides at the end-user's premises, gives granular insight into the customer's network, so the VAR can troubleshoot, optimize performance and perform routine maintenance from any web interface, addressing problems before the end-customer even knows an issue ever surfaced.
The OnPlus Agent interacts with most networked devices that have an IP address, both Cisco and third party, so the OnPlus Service can view a whole suite of devices at a single end-user site. VARs can offer this on a contract basis to establish a high-margin, ongoing revenue stream.
Storage and Desktop Virtualization
Both storage and virtualization have been popular applications in the cloud. D&H carries various desktop devices that combine plug-and-play simplicity with virtualized network functionality for a range of SMB needs. Products include:
Iomega 2T StorCenter cloud-based server: Two terabytes of online storage, perfect for small businesses with remote employees or distributed locations.
EVGA's PColP PD02 Zero Client for cloud computing: This "PC-over-Internet-Protocol" device facilitates centralized computing for users ranging from local LANs to remote WANs. It claims a small footprint, low power consumption, centralized virus protection and full USB device support.
NComputing U170 thin client connected desktop kit: A USB-based, virtualized desktop device boasting low energy consumption, it connects to a host PC for shared computing without the clutter of cabling.
"We're here to help the reseller understand applications in the cloud and how they can best be marketed to benefit the individual SMB company, including in different verticals," continued Schwab. "As the cloud paradigm gains traction in the marketplace, it creates terrific opportunities for upgrade discussions, whether for an extended storage network, a virtualized computing environment, a managed services offering, or simply to provide collaborative tools that accelerate the growth of the mobile workplace."
About D&H Distributing
As the nation's leading technology distributor, D&H provides a wealth of resources to empower solution providers and consultants, delivering a broad selection of SMB categories, products and applications. The company's offerings span server and infrastructure, SOHO and mobile applications, consumer electronics and gaming. D&H's multi-market expertise, account-dedicated sales teams, sterling service and flexible financing options are unmatched in the industry.
With an impressive 94-year history serving as a trusted advisor to the reseller channel, D&H has been able to consistently reinvent itself based upon changing market conditions. The company prides itself on creating business partnerships with an astute focus on ease-of-doing-business, relationships, value, performance and service.
D&H was named Cisco's Worldwide Small Business Distributor of the Year for 2010, won the Microsoft Licensing Operational Excellence Award seven years running and was named Microsoft's OEM Distributor of the Year. The company ships out of five separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg and its Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information, visit www.dandh.com.
SOURCE: D&H Distributing
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