Elevology Blog

The rivalry between technology industry giants Dell and Hewlett Packard Enterprise spilled out onto the streets of Boston Tuesday morning in the form of a guerrilla marketing assault on behalf of Dell.

The New Executive Lineup

Dell Technologies revealed its slate of channel and sales leaders Monday, notably making Gregg Ambulos North America channel chief.

Dell Technologies has made Gregg Ambulos its North America channel chief as part of a new leadership roster under global channel chief John Byrne.

Byrne and Dell Technologies President and Chief Commercial Officer Marius Haas detailed the company’s channel and sales leadership team in an exclusive interview with CRN.

Dell-EMC has reached an agreement to sell its Enterprise Content Division to Canadian information management firm Open Text Corp. for $1.6 billion, Open Text said in a statement Monday morning.

The sale includes EMC’s Documentum enterprise content management business, the company said. The transaction is expected to close within 120 days.

Dell Technologies plans to cut about 2 percent of its workforce by the end of the year in a drive to trim costs after taking on some $47 billion in debt to close the largest acquisition in IT industry history, according to a report.

The Round Rock, Texas, company will cut between 2,000 and 3,000 jobs, mostly in the U.S., in an effort to cut $1.7 billion in costs over the next 18 months, Bloomberg reported.

With the close of the Dell-EMC deal Wednesday, RSA moves into the fold of Dell Technologies. What does that mean exactly for the future of EMC’s security division and its technologies?

For now, it is all about business as usual for the security division, Grant Geyer, RSA's senior vice president of products, said in an exclusive interview with CRN.

Dell Technologies is trying to keep its sales teams and channel partners calm by honoring multiple registrations for competing products until a unified channel program is launched Feb. 1, according to solution providers briefed on the effort.

The focus is on what one large Dell and EMC solution provider executive called “hot spot” product lines where Dell and EMC overlap and compete. For example, if a Dell partner is registered to sell Dell Compellent storage to a customer and an EMC partner is registered to sell EMC VNX storage to the same customer, both registrations will be honored and the partners will have to compete for the sale.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whitman Wednesday told Wall Street analysts that the new slimmed-down $28 billion enterprise-focused HPE has a decided advantage in the next-generation infrastructure battle against Dell and Cisco.

Whitman said Dell lacks HPE's innovation engine and networking muscle, while Cisco lacks the critical storage assets necessary to win in a hyper-converged infrastructure market. "I think we are in a great position to compete with both Cisco and Dell," said Whitman.

Dell is drawing a partner-led line in the sand, adjusting its rules of engagement to favor channel partners that have gained traction and loyalty in commercial accounts.

Under the new system, Dell is evaluating its customer base going back three years, and customers identified as buying through partners will effectively become partner-led accounts indefinitely, according to an executive at a large solution provider who’s been briefed on the change.

View a mobile-optimized version on Apple Newsroom

Introducing an Effortless Wireless Listening Experience Packed with High-Quality Audio & Long Battery Life

SAN FRANCISCO — September 7, 2016 — Apple® today introduced AirPods™, innovative new wireless headphones that use advanced technology to reinvent how we listen to music, make phone calls, enjoy TV shows and movies, play games and interact with Siri®, providing a wireless audio experience not possible before. AirPods eliminate the hassles of wireless headphones, by just flipping open the lid of its innovative charging case and with one tap, they are instantly set up and ready to work with your iPhone® and Apple Watch®. Advanced sensors know when you are listening and automatically play and pause your music. Using Siri, AirPods allow you to access your favorite personal assistant with just a double tap. This revolutionary experience is enabled by the new ultra-low power Apple W1 chip, which enables AirPods to deliver high-quality audio and industry-leading battery life in a completely wireless design. AirPods will be available starting in late October.

“AirPods are the first headphones to deliver a breakthrough wireless audio experience, and with the new Apple W1 chip they deliver innovative features including high quality sound, great battery life and automatic setup,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “AirPods are simple and magical to use, with no switches or buttons, automatically connecting to all your Apple devices simply and seamlessly, and letting you access Siri with just a double tap. We can’t wait for users to try them with iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2.”

With AirPods, setting up and using wireless headphones has never been easier. Just open the charging case near your iPhone and with a simple tap, AirPods are immediately set up with all the devices signed into your iCloud® account, including your iPad® and Mac®. AirPods are connected and ready to go when you are, just put them in your ears when you want to listen. AirPods can intelligently and seamlessly switch from a call on your iPhone to listening to music on your Apple Watch.

View a mobile-optimized version on Apple Newsroom

The Evolution of a Partnership Built on Parallel Thinking

SAN FRANCISCO AND PARIS — September 7, 2016 — Today, Apple® and Hermès introduced new Apple Watch® Hermès styles and an expanded assortment of bands that incorporate Hermès' signature palette alongside a series of bold new colors. With a design process driven entirely by a shared ambition for ultimate beauty and utility, the collection pairs Apple Watch Series 2 with finely handcrafted leather bands in distinctive styles from Hermès, and features exclusive watch face designs inspired by the iconic Clipper, Cape Cod and Espace Hermès models. Apple Watch Hermès is the ultimate tool for modern living, a product of elegant, artful simplicity and functionality. 

“Ours is a partnership born of parallel thinking and mutual regard — we share similar preoccupations, ever evolving and refining our design,” said Jonathan Ive, Apple’s chief design officer.

“We are united by the same vision, the uncompromising pursuit of excellence and authenticity, and the creation of objects that remain as relevant and functional as they are beautiful. This is a new step of our attelage,” said Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès’ executive vice president, in charge of artistic direction. 

View a mobile-optimized version on Apple Newsroom

Including Breakthrough New Camera Systems, the Best Battery Life Ever in an iPhone and Water & Dust Resistance

SAN FRANCISCO — September 7, 2016 — Apple® today introduced iPhone® 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the best, most advanced iPhone ever, packed with unique innovations that improve all the ways iPhone is used every day. The new iPhone features new advanced camera systems that take pictures like never before, more power and performance with the best battery life ever in an iPhone, immersive stereo speakers, wide color system from camera to display, two new beautiful finishes, and is the first water and dust resistant iPhone. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in more than 25 countries beginning Friday, September 16.

“iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus dramatically improve every aspect of the iPhone experience, reaching a new level of innovation and precision to make this the best iPhone we have ever made,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The completely redesigned cameras shoot incredible photos and videos day or night, the A10 Fusion chip is the most powerful chip on any smartphone while delivering the best battery life ever in an iPhone, and an entirely new stereo speaker system provides twice the sound, all within the first water and dust resistant iPhone.”

New Advanced Camera Systems
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus take the world’s most popular camera and make it even better with entirely new camera systems. The 12-megapixel camera includes optical image stabilization on both iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and a larger ƒ/1.8 aperture and 6-element lens enable brighter, more detailed photos and videos, and a wide color capture allows for more vibrant colors with more detail. iPhone 7 Plus features the same 12-megapixel wide angle camera as iPhone 7 and adds a 12-megapixel telephoto camera that together offer optical zoom at two times and up to 10 times digital zoom for photos.

View a mobile-optimized version on Apple Newsroom

Featuring Apple Watch Series 2 & Exclusive Nike Sport Bands, This is the Easiest Way to Run

SAN FRANCISCO and BEAVERTON, Oregon — September 7, 2016 — Today, Apple® and Nike introduced Apple Watch® Nike+, the latest result of a long-standing partnership. Apple Watch Nike+ is the ultimate tool for anyone who runs, pairing exclusive Nike Sport Bands with Apple Watch Series 2, which features GPS, a two-times-brighter display, water resistance 50 meters,* a powerful dual-core processor and watchOS® 3. Apple Watch Nike+ also includes exclusive Siri® commands and iconic Nike watch faces along with deep integration with the new Nike+ Run Club app for unrivaled motivation to go for a run, coaching plans that adapt to your unique schedule and progress, and guidance from the world’s best coaches and athletes. Apple Watch Nike+ is the ultimate companion for those with a passion for running, whether they’re emerging runners or marathon veterans.

“Apple Watch is the ultimate device for a healthy life and we wanted to push it further to create the best smartwatch in the world for runners and athletes,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “Apple Watch Nike+ takes performance tracking to a whole new level and we can’t wait to bring it to the world’s largest community of runners.”

“We know runners — and we know many are looking for a device that gives them an easy, fun way to start running,” said Trevor Edwards, president of the Nike Brand. “The market is full of complex, hard-to-read devices that focus on your data. This focuses on your life. It’s a powerful device with a simple solution — your perfect running partner.”

“We’re thrilled with the response to Apple Watch and how it’s changed people’s lives. We are committed to fitness and health and think our customers will love the new capabilities of Apple Watch Series 2,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “With a powerful new dual-core processor, water resistance 50 meters and built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 is packed with features to help our customers live a healthy life.”

Fitness & Health 
Apple Watch Series 2 is rated water resistant 50 meters for swimming, surfing or just playing in the pool. For swimmers, Apple developed all-new algorithms after hundreds of hours of research for two new workout options, pool and open water. Apple Watch Series 2 can count laps, track average lap pace and auto-detect stroke type to accurately measure active calorie burn.

View a mobile-optimized version on Apple Newsroom

iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus & Apple Watch Series 2 to Support FeliCa, Giving Users an Easy, Fast & Secure Way to Pay & Commute

SAN FRANCISCO ― September 7, 2016 ― Apple® today announced that iPhone® 7, iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch® Series 2 will bring customers in Japan the ability to use Apple Pay®, an easy, fast and secure way to pay for everything in their daily routines, beginning in October. Users can commute and pay for everyday items with Suica from JR East, and make convenient and private credit and prepaid card purchases in stores, apps and on the web with a single touch. Apple is also introducing support for transit in Japan with Maps in iOS 10, so commuters can easily find ride details, including fare breakdowns that automatically show Suica pricing right on their device, making their commute more seamless and simpler than ever.

Apple Pay is accepted anywhere Suica is available, so users can make quick everyday purchases and buy or reload a Suica card or commuter pass, all with their iPhone. Japan’s major financial brands will also support Apple Pay, so shoppers can make purchases in many of the country's largest stores, at neighborhood shops and restaurants, and from their favorite online merchants.

“We are incredibly excited to bring iPhone 7 to customers in Japan so they can experience the magic of Apple Pay,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Apple Pay will transform your daily routine, from making your commute easier and more convenient than ever with Suica right on your iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2, to using your favorite cards to make secure and private purchases with a single touch.”

Dell is grandfathering EMC partners into the Dell Partner Direct channel program at their current level, according to solution providers who have been briefed on the strategy.

The new strategy means EMC’s top partners join the Dell program with their current top-tier status, giving them all the pricing, discounts and MDF made available to top Dell partners, according to a high-ranking executive at a national solution provider that works with both Dell and EMC.

 

View a mobile-optimized version on Apple Newsroom

Alicia Keys, Bastille, Britney Spears, Calvin Harris, Chance the Rapper, Elton John, Michael Bublé, OneRepublic, Robbie Williams and The 1975 Headline Festival’s 10th Anniversary

LONDON ― August 25, 2016 ― Apple® today announced the Apple Music® Festival will return to London's legendary Roundhouse this September for a 10th anniversary celebration of live music, curated exclusively by Apple Music for fans around the world.

The full lineup was announced today by Julie Adenuga, the London voice of Beats 1®, an Apple Music radio station that celebrates the best new music every day. Apple Music lets fans get even closer to their favorite performers during the Apple Music Festival with exclusive playlists, artist news and backstage interviews throughout September. The 10 spectacular nights of live performances will be made available live and on-demand to Apple Music members in 100 countries on their iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, Mac®, PC, Apple TV® and Android phones. 

“Over the past decade, the Festival has brought the biggest and best artists from all over the world to London and into the homes of millions of music fans,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of International Content. “This year’s Apple Music Festival builds on that incredible legacy and we couldn’t be more excited to have another amazing lineup to celebrate our 10th birthday.” 

Choosing an enterprise cloud platform is a lot like choosing between living in an apartment building or a single-family house. Apartment living can offer conveniences and cost-savings on a month-by-month basis. Your rent pays the landlord to handle all ongoing maintenance and renovation projects — everything from fixing a leaky faucet to installing a new central A/C system. But there are restrictions that prevent you from making customizations. And a fire that breaks out in a single apartment may threaten the safety of the entire building. You have more control and autonomy with a house. You have very similar choices to consider when evaluating cloud computing services.

The first public cloud computing services that went live in the late 1990s were built on a legacy construct called a multi-tenant architecture. Their database systems were originally designed for making airline reservations, tracking customer service requests, and running financial systems. These database systems feature centralized compute, storage, and networking that served all customers. As their numbers of users grew, the multi-tenant architecture made it easy for the services to accommodate the rapid user growth.

The commoditization of infrastructure is one of the most significant developments over the last couple of decades. The growth of web-scale companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter (which collect, analyze, and extract information from a large volume of data) has influenced this commoditization of the infrastructure.

Looking back at the last couple of decades, enterprises have realized that the problems faced and solved by web-scale companies end up being problems in the enterprise after a short gestation time. Enterprises start seeing similar issues in scaling, management, and analysis of infrastructure, processes, and data. At multiple layers of the application stack, the enterprises adopt web-scale strategies to solve similar problems (Figure 1).