In-Depth Features


Microsoft Takes Surface and Its Cloud Mainstream at WPC 2015

At the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference this week, Microsoft is giving partners what they've been requesting for years. In an exclusive interview with RCP, Channel Chief Phil Sorgen details broad channel distribution plans for the Microsoft Surface and the Cloud Solution Provider program.

How New Signature Won Back-to-Back Microsoft U.S. Partner of the Year Awards

What did it take for the Washington, D.C.-based National Solution Provider to win twice in a row? A relentless focus on cloud and an aggressive emphasis on growth.

Top 5 Parts of the Microsoft Partner Network, Rated by Partners

WEB EXCLUSIVE: In a recent survey, partners reveal the most important reasons they align themselves with Microsoft.

MSP Best Practices for the New IT Landscape

The MSP model continues to come into its own. We look at what's changed in the MSP landscape in recent years and talk to industry experts about what MSPs can do now to succeed. 

Microsoft DaaS: What's the Holdup?

Michael Fraser laid out the case in these pages a year ago for how Microsoft could shift its licensing to enable Desktop as a Service in the next year or two. We caught up with Fraser for a largely discouraging update on progress in the last year.

Top 10 Microsoft Products of 2015, Rated by Partners

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Cloud products like Azure and Office 365 are on the rise, but several on-premises stalwarts are holding their ground.

How Containers Fit into the Microsoft Stack: A Visual Guide

Microsoft is moving faster than ever to embrace containers on Microsoft Azure and to build the technology into the next version of Windows through a major partnership with Docker. Here's a visual guide to what all the fuss is about.

Microsoft Product Power Ratings

A regularly updated guide to what's hot, what's not, what's trending and what's flailing for the Microsoft channel.

Delivering Disaster Recovery as a Service: What Partners Should Consider

Many partners are looking to become DRaaS providers and there are many ways to provide disaster recovery services. Find the delivery approach that works for you.

Retiring Windows Server 2003: Lessons from Windows XP's End-of-Life

A year ago, Microsoft retired Windows XP after an extremely long period of warnings. What insights can channel partners take from that process as they look toward the Windows Server 2003 support deadline on July 14? 

StorageCraft's Growth Plan: Think Globally, Act Locally

While sticking to its roots in fast, local backup and recovery, Utah-based StorageCraft is investing aggressively in heavy-duty cloud disaster protection solutions and expanding its global footprint.

An Interview with Microsoft's New Dynamics Channel Chief

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Former longtime IBM executive Victor Morales made his public debut at Microsoft Convergence after three months on the job.

Secunia Report Highlights Critical Importance of Non-Microsoft Patches

WEB EXCLUSIVE: The count of overall vulnerabilities went up by 18 percent from 2013 to 2014, led by a surge in browser vulnerabilities. The Windows OSes saw a drop in new vulnerabilities.

How Good Can a $60 Windows 8.1 Tablet Be?

WEB EXCLUSIVE: The answer is pretty good, judging by the performance and features of the WinBook 7-inch TW700 Tablet -- a whole lot of Windows 8.1 computer for a very small price tag.

Microsoft Throws Hardware Roadmap for Loop with Windows 10 as a Service

Will free upgrades uncouple Windows releases from the PC refresh cycle?

10 Ways Windows 10 Will Affect Microsoft Partners

Everything will change for the Microsoft ecosystem when the next client OS ships. Here's a feature-by-feature guide to what specific partner types should expect from Windows 10.

GALLERY: Windows Systems Abound at CES 2015

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Manufacturers showed off dozens of Windows devices, at reasonable prices, at the annual Las Vegas gathering this week.

2014 Security Review: The Year in Breaches, Hacks and Exploits

Some of the security incidents that dominated headlines in 2014 were predictable. Others came as a complete surprise.

How Cloud Partners Can Identify (and Plug) Datacenter Security Holes

Most of the top cloud vendors provide basic datacenter security controls, but for partners looking to launch cloud-based services with third-party vendors, "basic" isn't enough. Where are the security holes in a cloud datacenter, and how can partners fill in those gaps for their customers?

Q&A with Top Microsoft Channel Exec Phil Sorgen

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Have faith in Microsoft on CRM, give Pinpoint another chance, check out DigitalStride, stay tuned on Surface in the channel and keep an eye on opportunities in Azure, hybrid cloud and EMS, Sorgen advises.