EDITOR ’ S COMMENT
Greetings to the global readers of Intelligent as Tech Channels . Across the GCC , it is governments that are driving innovation and one of the important requirements for GCC ministries , public sector organisations and institutions is data residency . Recognising this , hyperscalers like AWS , Microsoft , Oracle have set up cloud regions in various GCC countries to meet these expectations and further stimulate adoption , migration , and innovation .
In May this year , Google made an exciting announcement with the launch of the new Google Cloud Doha region in Qatar . The new Google Cloud Doha region is now part of the global network of 38 regions and 115 zones that brings Google Cloud services to over 200 countries .
Soon after the launch in June , Mindware announced the signing of its distribution agreement to develop the Google Cloud channel and grow the business across
MENA . Mindware will promote the Google Cloud portfolio and workspace across the countries of UAE , Qatar , Kuwait , Oman , Bahrain , Yemen , Morocco , Algeria , Tunisia , Libya , Egypt , Jordan , Lebanon , Palestine , and Iraq .
One of the biggest challenges hyperscalers have faced is the transition of channel partners from traditional software licensing to on-demand licensing as well
acceptance of the cloud marketplace for native cloud offerings . Forward looking distributors like Mindware are accepting this challenge and the partnership with Google Cloud represent an initiative to build and scale the cloud channel .
Turn these pages to read more about how Mindware is enabling and onboarding channel partners into the Google Cloud partner programme .
In this month ’ s Editor ’ s Question , we consider the opportunities and challenges for channel partners to enter the managed services and managed security services space . Enterprises and SMBs are looking for comprehensive IT services that allow them to focus on their core business while entrusting IT infrastructure and security management to experienced partners . Executives from Fortinet , Cloud Box , Sophos , Delinea , Netskope provide their insights .
And in this month ’ s popular profile section we present Channel Chiefs from Akamai Technologies , Vertiv , and ManageEngine . Happy readings !
Arun Shankar Managing Editor arun @ lynchpinmedia . com
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