What happens when you bring hundreds of innovative minds to one location for a couple days of idea sharing and open discussions? The short answer is “a lot.” That’s what the CompTIA Annual Member Meeting is all about; bringing many of the channel’s brightest and most successful professionals together in a highly-collaborative environment. Each project and initiative they work on is designed to move our industry forward. Whether focusing on the latest managed services best practice or fostering greater communications between telecom and IT communities, their efforts result in a number of new programs each and every year.
CompTIA is only as strong as its members and the knowledge, skills and energy they bring to the table. Collaborative contributions fuel the organization’s efforts and there’s no place better to see it in action than at AMM. This year’s event was no different, with eight of the CompTIA Communities and all three CompTIA Advisory Councils in session. In addition to driving a number of key initiatives, these member-lead groups hosted several “Power Talk” presentations and panel discussions on topics most likely to have a significant impact on the channel in 2015.
The subject matter that the community leaders selected for these sessions highlighted some directional changes for solution providers, including some viable advances in the latest technologies and some new opportunities with traditional practices. From unconventional IT security offerings to innovative hiring practices, check out some of the great discussions AMM attendees got to take part in.
Year of IOT?
Despite years of skepticism, a real channel business case is slowly and steadily developing for the Internet of Things. Those who can cut through the hype will find real solution options for many of their customers today, depending on the industry and applications they’re looking for. That message was delivered loud and clear by a panel of subject matter experts with roots in both the hardware and cloud side of the channel.
The small business community may not be primed for IoT right now, which creates the perfect situation for creative solution providers. These technologies offer real promise to warehouse owners looking for a better way to monitor and manage their inventory and operations, collecting data and tracking merchandise all the way through the supply chain. Current IoT solutions can help manufacturers better predict when or how often their equipment will break down so they can perform proactive maintenance and prevent costly downtime.
The panel discussion at AMM covered a number of value-add ideas and opportunities for well-prepared channel professionals. From a host of creative vertical market solutions to the network enhancements and security advances required to make them work effectively, we’re on the cusp of a new business practice that is sure to grow exponentially in the next few years.
Raise the Cloud Bar with Proven Vendors
Speaking of growth, the channel continues to play a pivotal role and is reaping significant rewards from virtual services delivery. Many providers are struggling a bit trying to balance the lower margins associated with cloud with the increased flexibility it affords their clients, realizing they either need to lead the way (or get out of the way). By wrapping in the other value-added solutions and services their customers need, some channel partners are truly prospering.
Those who work with cloud vendors they trust seem to transition to cloud services more successfully. Of course, identifying which companies meet that criteria with well-validated security and support processes isn’t easy. But, according to the AMM panelists discussing the CompTIA Cloud Trustmark+, the new credential can really simplify the vetting method.
The confidence issues are just as complex for vendors looking to make a positive impact as they are for providers hoping to align with trusted suppliers that can help deliver quality cloud services. Vendors in this space have to keep up with technological advances and ensure their infrastructure is robust. Security and backup procedures must be solid, and partners have to know what those methods are and how they are managed in order to confidently promote them to their end users.
As those in attendance learned, the CompTIA Cloud Trustmark+ will allow solution providers to fast-forward through the vetting and referral process. It eliminates some of the guesswork associated with building a new practice and offers a little peace of mind that’s so rare to find in the channel.
A Multitude of Other Valuable Channel Discussions
AMM 2015 honestly offered so many beneficial workshops, sessions and speakers that it would be impossible to summarize them all in one post. But I do encourage you to take a few minutes and check out some of the reports we filed from this year’s event. It may not be as rewarding as being there, but it’s the next best thing…
Partner Advisory Council Unveils Business Model Benchmark at AMM One of its long-term initiatives realized — a valued measurement tool to help solution providers improve their key operations.
Time to Toss the Tiara and Talk About Tech Verizon CMO Janet Schijns engaged the Advancing Women in Technology Community with a discussion on the value of greater workplace diversity.
Selling Mobility Services Comes Back to Good Business Practices What real potential do these technologies hold for channel partners and their end customers?
Future Leaders Tackle the Generation Gap at AMM in First Face-to-Face Meeting Members of the latest CompTIA Community discussed critical goals and fostered some great discussions during their inaugural face-to-face session.
IT Security Experts: Look for Risk and Opportunity in the Security Shadow Data may be your customers’ most valuable asset, but are you doing everything possible to protect it?
Managed Services Sales Tactics Must Keep Pace with Change, Says CharTec CEO Why do so many MSPs (82%) fail to differentiate themselves from customers, while just as many ask the wrong questions?
The War on Talent Can Be Won This IT Services and Support Community presentation offered some valued options for recruiting tech professionals in a resource poor environment.
Telecom Advisory Council Pushes for Closer Convergence Relationships A great session recap for solution providers looking for more engagement options with the telecom and cable industries.
The Vendor Channel Contribution Dissected at AMM See what the group is doing to foster greater channel partner discussions and improve the utilization of their mutual resources.
If you missed the event, you can catch up on all the AMM coverage here.
Brian Sherman is founder of Tech Success Communications, specializing in editorial content and consulting for the IT channel. His previous roles include chief editor at Business Solutions magazine and senior director of industry alliances with Autotask. Contact Brian at Bsherman@techsuccesscommunications.com.
