Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 28 | Page 15

Mark Bowen is Lynchpin Media’s Managing Editor. He has more than 10 years’ experience of editing newspapers and magazines in the UK. EDITOR’S COMMENT W elcome to the latest issue of Intelligent Tech Channels. For many IT vendors the role of their channel partners is absolutely vital but often goes unnoticed to many in the industry. We have all read case studies extolling the virtues of a vendor’s latest trailblazing solution that barely mentions the role channel partners have played in a successful deployment for a grateful end-user. Of course, vendors thoroughly deserve the credit they get for developing the latest eye-catching solutions but we also think it is vital that the contribution of channel partners is not overlooked. It would be a shame to do overwise since they are tasked with the often onerous job of deployment and several stages of testing to ensure all is well. We make no apologies then that this issue places a focus on how a successful partner programme can be built and how channel partners can drive success. We hear from a number of industry experts who give us their opinion on these issues and the conclusion I take away from them is that we should continue our commitment to shining a light on the role INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS Issue 28 channel partners play in making Information Technology work for the wider world. Without their input the world would be a much poorer place – and not just financially. Forthcoming editions of Intelligent Tech Channels will further set out to highlight the achievements of channel partners – when we run a case study on these pages we will make sure the likes of system integrators and value added distributors are highlighted, simply to emphasise the point. As usual, we have all of your favourite features and news from around the regions. And don’t forget to check our website for daily updates. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to feature on these pages – just send an email to mark@lynchpinmedia.co.uk and I will be back in touch. It would be good to hear from you. Until next time. Mark Bowen Managing Editor 15