Welcome to October when maybe we’ll get some treats to balance all the tricks played on us this year. Grab your coats because most of us will feel our first freeze this month, with snow in higher elevations. Speaking of tricks, how do Miami Heat fans feel now booing LeBron during the NBA Finals? Perhaps one of the following newsbits we missed will clarify.
VMworld news. This year taught us to be ready for all manner of bizarre things, so the VMware Future Ready Workforce combines VMware Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), Digital Workspace, and Endpoint Security, Zero Trust security, simplified management, and other treats.
But wait, there’s more! Some Virtual Cloud Network upgrades in three areas deserve attention. Automation that enables the public cloud experience, modern app connectivity and security services, and upped network security.
VMware acquired SaltStack to broaden its software configuration management and automation capabilities, one more step in providing a platform for a modern, multi-cloud world. Other goodies: Migrating and modernizing apps on VMware Cloud on AWS, running VMware applications on Microsoft Azure, running Kubernetes workloads anywhere, and more and more.
Along with VMware’s latest releases for vSphere, vSAN, and VMware Cloud Foundation to support Tanzu, Dell Technologies is extending tightly integrated support for these across its portfolio including Dell Technologies Cloud, EMC VxRail, EMC PowerProtect, EMC PowerEdge and lots of others.
Extending its managed services across VMware-based multicloud solutions, Rackspace now includes support for Azure VMware Solution, Google Cloud VMware Engine, VMware Cloud on Dell EMC, Dell Technologies Cloud Platform, and VMware Tanzu. More? How about Rackspace Private Cloud powered by VMware (RPCV) with Dell Technologies Cloud Platform.
Cloud security folks Zscaler shook virtual hands for an expanded strategic partnership with VMware. Goal is a complete SASE architecture and Zero Trust security.
More news from the big dogs. Microsoft pulled the curtain on Surface Laptop Go (pictured right) along with updates to Surface Pro X (pictured left). Available for preorder, the Surface Laptop Go starts at $549.99 with a 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen, large trackpad, and full-sized keyboard. Surface Pro X gets the new Microsoft SQ 2 processor and a new Platinum finish and starts at $1,499.99.
Microsoft wants to help you become BFFs with customers by leveraging its Customer Data Platform with upgrades to Customer Insights, new engagement insights capability, and AI-driven insights through limitless analytics.
During its Virtual Distribution Partner Conference, Hewlett Packard Enterprise introduced new ways to help channel partners, including smaller minimum capacities with HPE GreenLake, specialist support for HPE GreenLake and Storage portfolios, the SMB FlexOffers program for SMB and midmarket customers, an enhanced onboarding experience, and virtual learning opportunities.
Public sector tech buyers with security concerns have a new option: HPE is now offering made-in-the-USA servers built by vetted HPE employees in highly secure U.S. facilities as part of its new HPE Trusted Supply Chain initiative.
The new HP Spectre x360 14 packs the viewing space of a 15-inch device into a 13.5-inch chassis, and its Intel Evo compliant to boot.
Let’s take a look (sorry) at the new HP Omnicept solution which brings its most intelligent VR headset and developer focused DSK into a single platform. Developers for the HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition VFR headset get improved training and education outcomes as well as easier collaboration and design.
Now we have to worry about hackers hitting office-class print cartridges? Yes, we do and HP started a new Bug Bounty program with awards of up to $10,000 for discovered vulnerabilities. The HP Bugs Bunny program awards carrots.
When we get a COVID-19 vaccine we’ll be happy but then the enormity of getting the vaccine to people will hit us. Perhaps the new Salesforce Work.com for Vaccines will help. It’s a unified platform to help manage vaccine programs at scale.
Cisco wants to add application security constructs much earlier in the development lifecycle, an idea it calls Shift Left. That’s why papers are being perused to acquire Portshift, a privately held company focused on application security.
Customers of AWS Outposts can now use Amazon S3 APIs to store and retrieve data the same way they do on a regular AWS Region. Leverage the tools, apps, scripts etc., that already use S3 APIs to store that data locally on your Outposts.
Security news. Forcepoint rolls out Dynamic User Protection for easier deployment and mainstream enterprise access to continuous risk assessment across security control points. Make your DLP smarter and reduce false positives.
TPx revved up its MSx Firewall and MSx Endpoint services with the addition of enterprise-class managed detection and response (MDR) tools. Also includes Secure SD-WAN, monthly vulnerability scans, security awareness training, and DNS protection.
Web hosting providers and SSL sellers might like Sectigo’s Web Host Manager Complete Solution (WHMCS), a billing automation platform that now offers 50+ unique products for clients.
Other product news. Epson’s now shipping two new models: the budget-friendly PowerLite 800F (pictured) for schools and the PowerLite 805F for digital signage. The ultra short-throw projectors offer flexible, 360-degreee placement and oodles of connection options.
Healthcare integrators might examine the new Ricoh Patient Information Management Service. Digitization efforts notwithstanding, hospitals still run on paper and manual processes. Provide some upgrades to document-centric processes.
It’s a three-way integration with CEO Juice for ConnectWise Manage and eAutomate. No more double data entry moving financial info from ConnectWise Manage to eAutomate. Sync companies, contracts, and PO receipts.
TeamViewer Group member Ubimax rolled out a major release to its AR-based enterprise productivity platform Frontline. Now at v3.0, Frontline adds mobile-native apps for iOS and Android to its wearable computing platform.
Thanks to a new integration of Zapier and Microsoft Teams, users can improve productivity and automate workflows by connecting to 2,000+ apps without ever leaving Teams.
Paessler and new partner INSYS icom improve the bridge between operational technology on the factory floor and IT systems. A new MQTT Subscribe sensor captures up to five different metrics such as temperature, humidity, pressure, or illuminance.
Communications platform Twilio expanded offerings with Microvisor, an IoT connectivity and device management platform.
Oh, the places you’ll go with the new GoTo integrations for GoToConnect (Microsoft Teams), GoToMeeting (Zoho Cliq), and GoToWebinar (also Zoho Cliq).
Non-product vendor news. Roll out the red carpet for Sammy Kinlaw (pictured), senior vice president of endpoint solutions for the Americas region of Tech Data.
Axcient welcomes new Vice President of Marketing Tom Atwood.
Jessie Devine, formerly of QuoteWerks, is now presently the new director of channel development for The ASCII Group.
Part of the new focus at Logicalis on its global strategic alliance with Microsoft, Mick McNeil moves from Microsoft to Logicalis as VP for business development.
In another move, Gorka Sadowski, formerly of Gartner, joins Exabeam as chief strategy officer.
With the help of Clearlake Capital Group affiliates, Ivanti signed the papers to acquire MobileIron and Pulse Secure. Pushes forward its goal of the self-healing autonomous edge with adaptive security and more.
Nintex will acquire K2 Software to add to its digital process automation software options.
Following the formal completion of Panda Security’s acquisition by WatchGuard in June, the combined products and services from WatchGuard and Panda Security are available to all partners from both companies.
A new partnership with Tier2Technologies means Pax8 can offer that company’s Helpdesk Buttons and Tier2Tickets to all of its partners.
Apple patch management company Mondada will be acquired by Jamf so clients can extend Jamf Pro’s built-in patch management processes to all Mac applications within an environment.
Need employees to know more about security? Almost certainly yes. Hello to Fortinet’s free NSE Training, part of the National Security Expert (NSE) Training Institute, and an eight-step NSE Certification.
This week’s stats ticker:
The recent Boomi Connections Survey found that nearly 60% of employees feel more isolated because, well, they’re more isolated. The impact of remote work study also found that 49% of workers want their companies to improve remote collaboration tools and systems. 60% of C-suite respondents reported a lack of in-person information sharing with colleagues affected their ability to innovate and be creative (harder to steal ideas and brand them as yours? asked a non-C-suite worker). On the positive side, 80% of IT leaders say the IT team feels more valued with all the remote work. 85% of workers feel some level of concern about returning to their offices, compared to 58% of CEOs thrilled at the idea. Baby Boomers really miss connecting with peers, which may be why 20% of workers are chatting with their pets to cope.
Remote education remains fraught with issues, and security may be at the top of the list, according to NinjaRMM research done in late August with PollFish. Educational targets have suffered more than 1,000 instances of ransomware since 2019. 87% of educators use a desktop or laptop, often their own, and 32% of them were not required to install any additional security software. Only 59% use a VPN to reach their school network, and 16% just use a browser to a Web portal. 28% received no cybersecurity training, and only 55% of those who did were trained about phishing software. Not surprising? 42% said their students weren’t required to install any additional security to their own devices used for school.
Comcast Business checked with 594 SMB owners and asked how prepared they felt to handle a second COVID-19 wave. 78% felt prepared, thanks to 46% who had rethought how to do business, serve customers (50%), and collaborate and communicate (45%). 65% report they were stressed and worried about their businesses responding to COVID-19, while 68% reported losing sleep. One in five (21%) believe they’re back to normal operations, while 53% say will take another six months to a year. Yet 87% feel more prepared for the future in general after this.
If your customers hate passwords or do a lousy job with them, why don’t you just skip them? LastPass’s report “”From Passwords to Passwordless“” says 92% of businesses believe going without is in their future. Password management time spent by IT increases every year and users list their top three frustrations as changing passwords (56%), remembering multiple passwords (54%), and typing long, complex passwords (49%). Hopes are that biometrics, single-sign-on, and federated identity make passwords bearable. But we’ll always have some, say 85% of respondents.
There’s a craziness pandemic, too. Feel like banging your head against something really hard? Turn that into a new Guinness World Record like Muhammad Rashid of Pakistan did. He beat S. Navin Kumar of India in a competitive nut smashing contest. Muhammad cracked 254 walnuts WITH HIS HEAD in one minute. Bang on, Muhammad.
Meanwhile, even animals are feeling the stress. Five parrots at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in eastern England had to be removed from public view, especially from children. Why? While in quarantine before display, one of them taught the others how to curse. Yes, parrots are yelling “”F**k off”” to visitors, and calling them a “”fat t**t.”” Polly want a mouthful of soap?
