TechData : Microsoft Channel discussions: Recent Episodes
Phil Clark
Embedded IT’s consultant, Phil Clark, discusses some of the hot topics within Microsoft's Channel with key Tech Data staff, giving a real world view on things all Microsoft Channel partners should be exploring.
In this episode, Matthew Bater MD and Rhodri Griffiths, Tech Svcs Architect both from CSG talk to Tim Hearn and David Keiller about how they approach cloud migration with their customers. They are cloud migration practitioners and their process has been developed through many real world experiences which comes across strongly in this podcast
In this episode, Nathan Bryne, Chief Technical Evangelist at Proact IT talks to Tim Hearn from Embedded-IT and David Keiller from TD SYNNEX about their whole approach to the Modern Workplace, from the employee experience and organisational benefits, through the digital capabilities, the changes to our workspaces and the new cultural norms of hybrid working. Nathan takes us through a great discussion which I'm sure you'll find interesting
In this episode, Marcus Bailey, Head of Cloud, Technical Solutions, Prosperity 24/7 talks to Tim Hearn from Embedded-IT and Deborah Sweeney from TD SYNNEX about how they engage and support customers through their Modern Workplace journey, covering Microsoft CoPilot for 365, Teams and defining and implementing a zero trust environment to support hybrid working
In this episode, Tim Hearn is joined by Amit Rana and Elena Krasteva to talk about VMware Migration and in particular Azure VMware Solution (AVS)
Amit is a European AVS Specialist and Elena is a Senior Cloud Solution Architect for Azure
We cover an overview of AVS, where it fits, how to migrate, what to look out for, where to get support
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/products/azure-vmware
In this episode, Tim Hearn talks to Chad Cracknell about AI in the Financial Services Sector and specifically Generative AI, from Microsoft's offices at Thames Valley Park
Chad is a Client Director in Microsoft's Financial Services team and working at the forefront in the adoption of this exciting technology in the sector
This is a great overview of GenAI in the FS sector
In this episode, Tim Hearn talks to Ruben Nauwelaers about Microsoft's approach to AI and in particular Microsoft Copilot.
Ruben is an Architect in the Microsoft 365 Center of Excellence and has been with Microsoft in various roles for nearly 10 years
With the GA availability of Copilot, this is a very timely episode
Here is the URL for the Copilot bootcamp: https://aka.ms/M365CSPMastersBootcamp
Zahid Saeed, Microsoft Centre of Excellence Architect, explains how products such as Lighthouse, Endpoint Manager and Cloud PC can be deployed and centrally managed to support MSP customer growth, and improve profitability through efficiency gains. Zahid also gives some insight into what Copilot means from a Security perspective, and explains how he is preparing for a 40 person Christmas Dinner next week!
Deb Sweeney, from TD Synnex, provides an update on some of the partner incentives since 1st October and explains how to maximise some of your Modern Work partner back end incentives. She also gives more general update on NCE progress, the MCPP (AI) and how to easily improve your designation status.
Today we discuss, with James Marshall from Microsoft and David Keiller from TD Synnex, the concept of Accidental Azure - when a partner becomes an Azure reseller just because a client asks them to, without thinking through all of the foundational steps they should take to prepare. James and David give some great insights into how to avoid the pitfalls, and leverage other in house skills to proactively define a path to Azure that reduces risk and improves margins.
Naveed Iqbal, from the Tech for Social Impact (TSI) team, explains TSI and how it can support the channel in not just finding profitable revenues but also enhancing their brand and reputation with the broader end user set through evidencing their ESG credentials.
Nicholas Stancliffe from the Maverick division of TD Synnex discusses how Teams Rooms the platform, and the various supported AV devices, work seamlessly to support an integrated meeting experience in the context of Hybrid Working, and how some of the data being collated is informing Facilities Management strategy of companies looking to rationalise meeting space based on utilisation.
In this episode, Nico Charritton from Microsoft's Modern Workplace team discusses the future of Modern Workplace with Phil, talking about why Teams Premium is such a key product in Microsoft's portfolio, and discussing some of the key features and benefits of Co-Pilot, before its launch later this year. Nico's enthusiasm for the product is clear, and it is a genuinely exciting time to be engaging with Microsoft's Modern Work portfolio in the context of Generative AI and the productivity improvements it can bring.
In this episode we discuss Cloud Economics and best practice with Kellie Carlton, Microsoft Area Lead for Solution Assessments, with a particular focus on the key commercial considerations that channel partners should consider when engaging clients, and justifying cloud projects. We also try and tackle the repatriation myths, and how to make sure a sales engagement with customers is supported by appropriate advice.
In this second of a two part episode, we discuss with Simon Stevens (TD Synnex), the specific Microsoft focused Advanced Solutions offerings that TD Synnex can offer, such as subscription management, ongoing managed services, and review why they are a great opportunity for Channel Partners to make money without having to invest heavily in their own resources.
In this episode, we discuss the Advanced Solutions offerings that TD Synnex can offer that complement a channel partners internal services capability, as a white labelled offering from distribution. Specifically in the cloud arena, where skills are difficult to source and retain, the Advanced Solutions offering provides an alternative to hiring a massive bench of pre-sales, post-sales and design/architecture resource - providing support "as a service" on a fixed price basis where possible and allowing you to de-risk your cloud implementations.
In this episode we discuss with Marcus Beer, head of Cyber from Chorus, a new joint offering with TD Synnex where Chorus can support the broader Microsoft partner ecosystem with complementary services and skills - helping the Channel leverage Microsoft's security stack without having to internally invest in the full capabilities. Chorus have announced a channel ready service offering for TD Synnex's customers to buy security on a per month basis, flexing in line with their consumption charges to their customers.
In this episode, Phil interviews Chad Cracknell, Client Director for a large financial services client, to discuss how Microsoft engages these larger clients, what their team structures typically look like, and what sorts of partners should engage with the Microsoft team on these bigger clients.
Sporting a Christmas Pudding hat and a pair of reindeer glasses, Phil and Sabrina Gosney, Microsoft Business Manager at TD Synnex, talk about what TD Synnex offer partners, how key Microsoft is to TD Synnex's strategy and the seating plan at the BU Xmas Party. On behalf of Phil, all of the TD Synnex and Microsoft participants and the broader TD Synnex team, we wish all of our listeners a Merry Christmas.
In this episode we discuss recent Ignite announcements with Tim Russell, Senior Cloud Solutions Architect from Microsoft, specific to Teams functionality and why its important to stay abreast of these new functions. Examples being Meta and Quest 2 integration, Avatar rollout (and why its more than just a gimmick), and the future Microsoft Places announcements which will help clients embrace hybrid work.
In this podcast, Phil interviews James Marshall, Microsoft SMB Azure lead to discuss how to stay on top of the ever changing Azure landscape, and what SMB customers look for in a Azure partner. We also discuss why every CSP partner should play Sea of Thieves to build their team working and collaboration skills.
Microsoft UK’s lead for Modern Work in SMB, John Mitchell, talks through what SMB Partners can do to deliver core services in the UK SMB market, and what services they can add to the platforms to stand out.
Microsoft have a very strong Independent Software Vendor (ISV) growth play, and in this episode Phil Clark and Marianne Gilmour-Smith discuss why this ISV initiative is key to both TD Synnex and Microsoft, what an ISV “means” and what support TD Synnex and Microsoft can offer partners, pure ISV’s or broader, to support their software development and growth ambitions.
Marianne Gilmour-Smith and Phil Clark discuss TechData's support for Microsoft's ISV initiatives, what qualifies as an ISV and why this market is so key to Microsoft's growth plans.
In this episode, Phil Clark and Iheanyi Obasi discuss Microsoft's Security capabilities and brand position in a crowded marketplace. Phil has a bit of a rant about Multi-Factor Authentication and Iheanyi tries to calm things down with a reassuring look at the future of authentication.
In this podcast, Sean Taylor and Deb Sweeney from TechData discuss why GDAP is something all partners need to embrace, plan for and implement to improve their, and their customers, security posture.
A great discussion with Jeroen Andre De La Porte from SoftApp.Cloud and Deb Sweeney from TechData on the market opportunity for Teams as a UC platform, and how to engage it. Some debate on whether Teams is really as good as the traditional telephony platforms, and if the IT reseller community get any support with the nuances of selling Teams as a UC platform from Tech Data.
A fascinating insight into Microsoft's Tech 4 Social Impact team given by Microsoft's Ian Drew, supporting Not For Profit End Customers, and how partners and the channel can leverage Microsoft's offerings and programmes to support this sector.
A frank discussion with Gareth Meyer, COO at Ultima, on how the relationship works with Microsoft and TechData and where he sees the channel going around Cloud, with some tips for smaller businesses on where to focus within the Microsoft Channel space.
An interview with Deb Sweeney, TechData Microsoft Business Development Manager, discussing how New Commerce Experience has been implemented, what it means, whats next and what the channel all think about it?
A quick overview of what this podcast series is about, and how it will help partners understand changes in the Microsoft Channel.