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COMMENT
Heading into a sustainable future
Sustainability and ESG are key considerations for many businesses, and it provides many opportunities for resellers, but increasingly they must ensure their own operations are sustainable too if they are to take full advantage of them.
The summer is now at an end, and, in the UK, it won’t go down as a classic weather- wise. There were no extreme heatwaves, nor
for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions is rising among small- and medium-sized businesses. Demand is growing as SMBs seek to become more efficient and flexible to cope with changing customer demands – and resellers
Dan Parton
were there floods – both of which we have seen in recent years – it was just a bit… meh. But around the world, it’s a
should be there to help them. Read more on p20. Of course, security is key
different story and the past 12 months have been the hottest on record globally. There have also been numerous
for SaaS solutions – as it is across the technology used by businesses. As more businesses embrace digitalisation, so the number of devices used
extreme weather events. Experts say it is yet another indication of the impact of climate change. It also highlights how important it is for businesses, regardless of size and sector, to try and become more sustainable in their operations to try and help mitigate the effects of climate change. No longer is being environmentally friendly a ‘nice to have’, for many, it is a ‘need to have’. Indeed, when pitching for contracts, a lack of ESG policies can be the difference between winning the work and not. For instance, cloud service providers are finding that most customers consider ESG and sustainability important when selecting a cloud vendor, with carbon footprint and net zero targets being key factors. There are also increasing pressures from government in terms of legislation and awarding contracts towards sustainability. This means that vendors must not only provide services that help with sustainability but are run on sustainable terms themselves. Read more on p46. While demand for more sustainable cloud solutions is growing, so are various other aspects of the channel. For instance, demand
increases, as does the number of endpoints – and as does the
volume of threats from cybercriminals. Keeping endpoints secure is imperative and there are a range of solutions available, and resellers have an important role to play in ensuring customers get the right solution. Read more on p41. While cyberthreats aren’t going away, neither is the drive for businesses to become more sustainable. The science shows what is happening, so there is that imperative, but businesses and customers are also now more aware and it is influencing their buying decisions. If businesses in the channel recognise this for the opportunities it provides – and there are many – then they will flourish. If they don’t, then they will likely wither in the sun. As ever, I hope you enjoy the issue. If there are any topics you would like to see covered in future issues, please let me know. likewise, if you would like to submit a thought leadership piece, please do – contact me at dan@newsinthechannel.com
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CONTENTS
News You should know p6 Product Launch Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition p14
SaaS for SMBs – p20
Product Review: MSI – p30
With demand for desktop PCs continuing to grow from customers in various sectors, the MSI Cubi NUC 1M is a timely addition to the market that should prove popular.
Product Launch Acer Swift 14 AI & Swift 16 AI p18
Demand for software as a service solutions are growing among small- to medium-sized businesses and, as technology advances demand is only set to grow for the foreseeable future – which provides opportunities for resellers.
SaaS for SMBs Demand is growing p20 Interview Ian Jeffs, Lenovo p26 Product Review MSI Cubi NUC 1M p30 Eagle Eye – BI NVIDIA-Powered Devices p34 Product Review Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen6 p38 Endpoint Protection Resellers vital role p41 Sustainability in Cloud Services Vendors need to prove credentials p46
Endpoint Protection – p41
With cyberattacks continuing to increase, especially with the advent of AI, it is vital that businesses – including smaller ones – take effective measures to protect their endpoints, and resellers have a vital role to play.
Product Launch: Lenovo – p14 Lenovo has launched its ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition, which is designed to make work easier
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is the latest iteration in Lenovo’s acclaimed Product Review: Lenovo – p38
T series, known for its durability,
for users by harnessing the benefits of artificial intelligence, as well as many other innovative features.
performance, and enterprise-grade features. This model takes those qualities up a notch...
On the move People p50
STOCKIES 2024 The Shortlists s1
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CONTENTS
Product Launch: Acer – p18
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Acer has launched its new Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI PCs that are designed to deliver a combination of performance, battery life and features for next- generation AI functionality.
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Editorial Dan Parton 07941 979 845 dan@ newsinthechannel.com Head of Sales Martin Jenner-Hall 07824 552 116 martin@ newsinthechannel.com Publishing Director Justin Penn 07816 573 186 justin@ newsinthechannel.com
The SHORTLISTS... This year the Stockies are bigger than ever, with an entire week dedicated to celebrating the successes of the IT channel.
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Sustainability in Cloud Services – p46
With many businesses prioritising sustainability and ESG goals, cloud services have an important role to play. But it isn’t just the services themselves, vendors also must prove their own sustainability credentials if they are to be successful.
Written permission from the publisher is required before any part of News in the Channel can be reproduced. © 2024 In the Channel Media Ltd.
Interview – p26
Over the past year, NVIDIA has captured significant attention with a remarkable 700% surge in share value, driven by its forward-thinking vision for a future powered by artificial intelligence. BI - NVIDIA-Powered Devices – p34
GPU Model of Device
GeForce RTX 4090 GeForce RTX 4080 GeForce RTX 4060 GeForce RTX 4050
GeForce RTX 4070
Published by: In the Channel Media Ltd Company registration number: 14363401 Registered office address 14-18 Heddon Street,
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Edge computing and artificial intelligence are in increasing demand from customers, which provides vendors and channel partners alike with plenty of sales opportunities, as Ian Jeffs from Lenovo explains.
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Mayfair, London, United Kingdom, W1B 4DA In conjunction with:
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New Way International unveils rebrand plans
New Way International Ltd, a global distributor of mobile phones and tablets, has unveiled plans to rebrand later this month. New Way International has been a distributor for more than 25 years, supplying mobile devices from manufacturers including Apple, Samsung and Nokia to a diverse clientele ranging from Government organisations to enterprises to corporate businesses. Recently, New Way International has made a strategic shift towards a more value-added distribution model, going beyond what traditional distributors offer. "By enhancing our service offerings, we're delivering greater benefits to our partners and customers, elevating both service and solutions," said Sonny Sahota, head of sales. The company stocks a range of new and refurbished devices, ready for next- day delivery with plain labelling directly to end users. This logistical efficiency is complemented by comprehensive value-added
services that enhance the overall customer experience that include bundling cases and screen protectors, performing labour-intensive tasks such as SIM pairing, asset tagging and device configuration. New Way International also offers extended warranties of up to five years at competitive rates, complete with insurance options, as well as Bill & Hold Service and Mobile Device Management enrolment through branded systems for enhanced security and seamless integration. This evolution marks a significant leap forward for the company, reinforcing its position as a leader in mobile device distribution. Nigel Prince, managing director, revealed that the company is rebranding and will unveil its new identity on 23 September, marking the dawn of an exciting era for the business. “Our refreshed vision and expanded offerings will be something truly remarkable for UK businesses, setting new standards of excellence in the industry,” he said.
newwayinternational.co.uk
e92plus announce partnership with Everfox
e92plus has partnered with Everfox. The agreement will bring the Everfox portfolio, including advanced Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) and Threat Protection, to the e92plus partner community, and highlights the huge opportunity for partners working in the government and critical national infrastructure sectors. Everfox, formerly Forcepoint Federal, has been defending the world’s critical data and networks against complex cyber threats for more than 25 years. The partnership was born out of the long-standing relationship between e92plus and Forcepoint, enabling the teams to quickly accelerate the launch to market and help partners realise the potential of the Everfox solutions. The global market for CDS is nearly $1.8 billion and is growing at a rate ahead of the general IT market.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Everfox, and further enhancing our portfolio in the critical area of cross-domain and infrastructure cybersecurity” explained Mukesh Gupta, CEO of e92plus. “We’ve enjoyed great success with the technology, when it was part of Forcepoint, one of our longest standing vendor partnerships, and the new standalone entity as Everfox is hugely exciting. With such a complex geopolitical environment and threat landscape, the ability for government, CNI and defence organisations to connect and collaborate with the highest level of security is essential – and that represents a huge opportunity for partners to deliver those products.” With its recently announced partnership with Microsoft, Everfox will integrate its industry- leading cross domain solution technology into Azure’s cloud services offering for the
Mukesh Gupta ceo
e92plus.com
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US Government. Through this partnership, Everfox and Microsoft will develop and deploy new cloud offerings for federal agencies that deliver on-demand multi-level cloud desktop services. “Global partnerships are extremely important to Everfox, partnerships like the one we have with e92 plus will play a big role in our global growth in the coming years,”
said Shaun Bierweiler, chief revenue officer at Everfox. “The relationship we have with e92plus will allow us to expand our partner network so that we can connect with like- minded organisations across the globe, who not only align to our key target markets, but are also committed to delivering innovative, high-assurance cyber solutions to their customers.”
everfox.com
Tanium announces general availability of Tanium Automate
Tanium has announced the general availability of Tanium Automate giving organisations running Tanium in the cloud highly accurate, real-time automation for common IT operations and security tasks. Leveraging the Tanium platform’s breadth of endpoint management and security capabilities, real-time architecture and ability to scale, Automate allows operators to automate complex tasks in real-time by replacing manual processes with easy to implement no and low code orchestration and automation across operations and security domains. Automate is a key component of Tanium’s autonomous endpoint management offering, which leverages the real-time analysis of change on all global cloud endpoints to recommend and automate changes safely and reliably on endpoints to maintain operational health, lower risk of negative IT outcomes and improve the security of the IT environment. “Automate radically simplifies complex automations through dynamic real-time
endpoint targeting, allowing organisations to manage automations in even the most diverse, scaled IT environments,” said Matt Quinn, chief technology officer at Tanium. “By bridging automations seamlessly between IT and security teams, it provides operational excellence and provides resiliency and confidence to all our customers.” Tanium’s growing partner ecosystem, comprising system integrators, MSPs, VARs and technology alliance ISVs, participated in the product launch to create solutions powered by Automate. With domain expertise across industry verticals to include financial services, healthcare and public sector, Tanium partners can deliver best practices and customer use cases as highly differentiated and reputable Tanium Automation playbooks. Example cybersecurity and IT operations playbooks include server cluster patching, vulnerability management and remediation, automated software license reclamation, workstation provisioning and maintenance, and more.
Tanium Automate
Ampito partners with Nebula to accelerate global growth ambitions
Nebula Global Services has been selected as a global strategic services partner by transformation and IT solutions specialist, Ampito. The strategic partnership aims to accelerate Ampito’s international growth ambitions by harnessing Nebula’s extensive global network of people, service excellence and technology expertise. Ampito is a UK-based business with a growing international presence. Ampito’s Glocal (global/local) model requires network and data centre equipment to be procured, pre-staged and delivered in-country as
effectively as possible. Finding the right eco-system of international partners is critical in delivering a successful go-to-market. Nebula’s global presence, sustainability commitments and track record deploying complex transformation projects were pivotal in securing the partnership. “As CSO, my focus is on delivering a service to our customer whereby the complexities of what we deliver is hidden from them and they only see the results,” said Darren Brownfield, CSO, Ampito Group. “Having a proactive and reliable partner in-country such as Nebula is paramount, and we are excited to explore
Darren Brownfield CSO
ampito.com
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the new opportunities this combined service offering can bring to our customers.” The partnership has hit the road running in the US, with Nebula providing a solution to deliver in-country technical capability, inventory management, pre-staging and logistics support for Ampito’s end client – a major international financial institution. “From the outset, Ampito has impressed me with their unwavering commitment to
customer satisfaction,” said Pete Murphy, chief sales officer, Nebula Global Services. “From our very first conversation about this partnership, through to the onboarding, the team were focused throughout. At every stage, Ampito made it clear that the client’s needs were their top priority, and coupled with Nebula’s outcome-focused approach, we have created a best-of-breed customer success experience.”
nebulaglobalservices.com
aconso partners with Veritas Prime to enter UK market
aconso, an innovator in HR document management systems and provider of cloud-based HR software solutions, has entered the UK market in partnership with Veritas Prime. The HR technology specialists, which are both SAP SuccessFactors partners, have joined forces to improve the experience for CHROs, their teams and the broader workforce by automating the management of digital HR processes and the generation and scaling of documentation across the entire employee lifecycle – from hire to departure. This news follows the expansion of aconso into the US market in May and expands the company’s footprint in Europe where it is used by more than 600 HR teams to manage one billion HR documents across six million employees annually. This includes global organisations such as Starbucks, L'Oréal, Lufthansa, Siemens and Porsche. The strategic partnership sees aconso integrate with Veritas Prime to deliver a complete digital HR experience. Combined, they consolidate, synchronise and automate all HR systems used to manage the employee journey in the cloud, including HR core, talent management, payroll, document management and more. This enables HR teams to work from anywhere and still have access to a complete real-time picture of the information they hold for their employees from hire to departure. Having a central source of truth means they can easily manage processes and scale document generation from one place – reducing the complexity of managing disparate digital HR systems and unlocking time and cost savings. Critically, centralising the management of the employee journey ensures ethical and compliant HR services. HR teams can better track their compliance with evolving HR regulations and data privacy laws across
different regions and give their employees – no matter their location – fast, self-service access to their personal documents and information, which is a legal right in the UK under GDPR. “CHROs are critical agents of change – building the organisational structures to attract, retain and nurture talent, and all while in support of enterprise-wide objectives,” said Ulrich Jaenicke, CEO and co-founder of aconso. “Digital transformation sits at the heart of driving change and we know that HR leaders recognise this as 74% view tech as critical to the survival of the business. However, 55% also find it challenging to know what tech solutions are right for them. “To be at the top of their game, they need partners who truly understand them and who can help overcome challenges but, more importantly, unlock opportunities to succeed. For over 20 years we have been putting people at the heart of our HR solutions, and we know Veritas Prime shares our commitment to HR excellence. Together, we are bringing end-to- end automation to digital HR management and documentation so HR leaders can free their teams up to focus on what really matters most: their people.” Jas Rai, managing partner of Veritas Prime, added: “In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, human capital management (HCM) software like SAP SuccessFactors is not just a tool but a strategic necessity. Effective HCM solutions empower organisations to manage their most valuable asset – their people – while ensuring compliance and efficiency. With aconso's document management services integrated with SuccessFactors, we help our clients navigate the complex regulatory environment, streamline HR processes, and maintain the highest standards of compliance. Together, we're enabling organisations to focus on what truly matters: their growth and their people.”
aconso.com
veritasprime.com
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Vertiv introduces Environet Connect
Vertiv has introduced Vertiv Environet Connect, a cloud-connected and web-based fleet management and monitoring solution. It features a device-agnostic interface that can handle diverse data centre infrastructure equipment across multiple locations, regardless of the manufacturer. Environet Connect is now available in EMEA and in North America. It speeds the deployment of remote Vertiv equipment and improves its health and efficiency through mass provisioning and firmware updates of network management cards. The system's monitoring capability enhances the oversight of critical infrastructure and provides customisable and configurable alarm notifications. Monitoring covers UPS systems, rack power distribution units, generators and thermal units. "Edge deployments are growing rapidly and may soon be driven by real-world AI applications such as large language models, predictive analytics and autonomous vehicles,”
said Wesley Lim, vice president of software and digital solutions for Vertiv. “Although these applications currently operate in data centres, they may quickly shift to the edge to reduce latency and avoid processing bottlenecks. Implementing a secure, user-friendly and web- accessible monitoring solution like Environet Connect would enhance operational visibility and maximise uptime for remote environments." Environet Connect is accessible to direct customers and channel-managed service provider partners. It accommodates all user types and is designed for multi-tenancy, simplifying the process for partners and customers. Vertiv offers a series of services to enhance the Environet Connect user experience, with software training, customer help desk and asset management. The services include tiered levels, encompassing technical support, firmware updates, device provisioning and remote monitoring.
Wesley Lim vice president, software and digital solutions
vertiv.com
Zyxel Networks enhances MSP partner experiences with new AI capabilities
Zyxel Networks has unveiled an updated programme that will enhance experiences for managed services provider (MSP) partners and enable them to use the AI- driven capabilities within its Nebula
managed services business, helping partners to identify and address issues before they become actual problems. This makes it easier for MSPs to manage more customers and locations and thus scale and grow their businesses. Further enhancements make it easier for partners to meet the integrated digital security needs of their customers. In addition, with licensing sales of Nebula growing fast, Zyxel is looking to recruit additional partners that are ready to develop and grow their own managed services business. “The growth of MSP partners that’s been fuelled by Nebula is already a tremendous success story – and we now want to help our partners write the next chapter with an
cloud management platform to drive further growth and expansion of their businesses. In addition, Zyxel is seeking more partners that want to build their own remote monitoring and managed services offering around
the Zyxel Nebula cloud platform. The latest AI and machine learning
features of Nebula have made it an even better foundation for the development of a
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plans. And we stay with them every step of the way while they do that.” As many Zyxel MSP Partners have already built successful managed services businesses using Nebula as the foundation, new partners can be sure it will work for them too, added Rachel. “We have proven that Nebula is an ideal platform on which to build a managed services business, and we confidently expect more partners to emulate that success and become fully-fledged MSPs,” she said. Zyxel’s MSP Partner Programme offers full technical and sales training and provides access to extensive resources for business development support. The company supports partners during the initial stages to ensure that they get their new business activity and revenue stream up and running successfully. To become an accredited Zyxel MSP Partner, businesses need to have at least one member of staff qualified as a Zyxel Certified Network Engineer. They must also have completed sales training. As well as personalised support, all MSP Partners receive a multi-tenanted license for the Nebula platform.
enhanced programme that gives them an even better experience and an AI-driven platform that will help them scale and grow,” said Rachel Rothwell, senior regional director, UK and Ireland for Zyxel Networks. Zyxel is making extensive new sales and marketing resources available to MSP partners has updated its margin structures to make it even more beneficial for partners to attract new customers and grow their manages services business. All partners will continue to receive personal, hands-on support from the UK-based team. Rachel believes it’s the right time for more resellers to embark on their own journey. “While many partners want to become MSPs, many don’t know where to start,” she said. “Our programme makes it easy for partners to get onboard, understand the opportunity, define their proposition and execute on those
Rachel Rothwell senior regional director UK and Ireland
zyxel.com
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PRODUCT LAUNCH LENOVO THINKPAD X1 CARBON GEN 13 AURA EDITION
Making work easier Lenovo has launched its ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition, which is designed to make work easier for users by harnessing the benefits of artificial intelligence, as well as many other innovative features.
With the uptake of artificial intelligence (AI) in PCs expected to accelerate markedly in the coming years, Lenovo has launched its ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition PC that take advantage of the benefits that the technology brings. Lenovo says the innovations in the latest ThinkPad, along with its ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 AMD, and ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 and Gen 7+, which also have Copilot, showcase the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology, exceptional user experiences, and enhanced productivity and creativity for enterprise customers. AI era The relevance of AI PC devices is expected to rise, with more than 60% of PCs shipped by 2027 anticipated to be AI-capable. Lenovo’s AI PCs aim to significantly change user experiences through natural interactions, personalised large language models, and advanced computing architectures, making computing more personal, productive and protected.
than 10,000 users from around the world participated in qualitative and quantitative user experience testing. With findings from that work, Lenovo and Intel brainstormed usability concepts that were narrowed down and tested with a further four thousand users who helped to prioritise and refine the experiences. ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition For this new PC, Lenovo has introduced many new features, as well improving features that appeared on previous models. For instance, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition features a thinner and lighter than ever build – the 14” flagship weights less than 1kg. It also contains technologies that Lenovo say are designed to personalise and simplify user interaction with their devices. Engineered with AI-enhanced capabilities and co- developed with Intel, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition promises exceptional performance, long battery life, and a more intelligent and immersive user experience. Lenovo Aura Edition laptops including ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 and Yoga Slim 7i integrate various features. This includes smart modes that adapt intuitively to user needs, optimising performance and AI capabilities for activities like work, play and creativity. Each mode accessible through a simple widget is designed to provide a seamless and personalised experience. Smart modes include: l Shield for security features such as Privacy Alert and Privacy Guard to help protect against unwanted snooping, and automatic launch of preferred VPN application upon connecting to any public Wi-Fi network l Attention helps reduce distractions and prioritise focus on the task at hand by allowing users to set attention timers and silence notifications l C ollaboration enhances virtual meeting experiences by optimising video performance and preset preferred settings such as background blur or low light enhancer l Wellness can help improve digital health
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Engineered with AI-enhanced capabilities and co-developed with Intel, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition promises exceptional performance, long battery life, and a more intelligent and immersive user experience.
”
Lenovo Aura Edition The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura
Edition PC is part of Lenovo’s Aura Edition series, which was designed in a multi-year collaboration with Intel. Lenovo say that more
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PRODUCT LAUNCH
“
Developed in collaboration with Intel and featuring the latest Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) offering amazing scale in AI computing...
with posture alerts and reducing eye fatigue by reminding users to take breaks l U sers also have rapid access to power mode settings directly within the app to help balance
TouchPad option integrating the classic three button TrackPoint and up to a 14-inch 2.8k OLED Dolby Vision® display with anti-glare surface treatment and a switchable 120Hz refresh rate. Copilot+ PC experiences: It will support Copilot+ PC features when available from Microsoft and includes a Copilot keyboard key. Battery life: The 57-watt hour battery delivers more than 18 hours of battery life, ensuring professionals can remain productive throughout the day thanks to incredible power efficiency. Hybrid work and mobility: The device is lightweight, starting at under 1kg, making it the lightest ThinkPad X1 Carbon ever. Includes Wi-Fi 7 support and optional 5G sub-6GHz7. It includes I/O ports such as 2x USB-A, 2x Thunderbolt™ 4, and 1x HDMI. Design and build: Crafted with a focus on user experience and increasing its contribution to a circular economy, the device includes a customer-replaceable unit battery design. The materials used include 90% recycled magnesium for the C cover, and the 100% plastic-free packaging is made from bamboo and sugarcane. In addition to its recycled
performance and power consumption. Another mode is Smart Share, which
provides smooth AI-enabled picture sharing between smartphones and laptops. Users can simply tap a supported smartphone on the screen edge and leveraging the capability of Elliptic Labs AI Virtual Sensor™, the laptop will launch the Smart Share window on the PC and smartphone, enabling simple drag and drop transfer of recent photos between devices. IOS and Android platforms are supported. In addition, Smart Care provides simple access to Lenovo’s online support tools and chatbot, offering real-time problem-solving. The enhanced Premier Support Plus service unlocks access to dedicated concierge-style support connecting users via remote camera sharing, and one click access to voice or chat with live elite Lenovo engineers 24/7 through the PC or smartphone. Building on a legacy The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition continues to build on Lenovo’s legacy of delivering premium business laptops. Developed in collaboration with Intel and featuring the latest Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) offering amazing scale in AI computing, exceptional power efficiency, and incredible 3X AI performance versus previous generation on neural processing unit and graphics processing unit. Key features include: Enhanced user experience: Features the new Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) with Intel Arc Xe2 graphics and integrated NPU offering more than 45 TOPS. The newly designed laptop also includes a premium Haptic
”
materials, it holds certifications such as EPEAT® Gold9 and ENERGY STAR® 9.0. The
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen
13 Aura Edition will be available from November, with limited availability in the UK and an expected starting price of €2,699 (excl. tax).
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PRODUCT LAUNCH ACER SWIFT COPILOT + PCS
Acer debuts new Swift Copilot+ PCs
Acer has launched its new Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI PCs that are designed to deliver a combination of performance, battery life and features for next-generation AI functionality.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes ever more ingrained in society, and customers demand that functionality – along with more speed and power – from their PCs, manufacturers are responding with more innovation in their products. Acer is the latest to launch new, more powerful PCs with their new Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI Copilot+ PCs, its first Swift models powered by new Intel® Core™ Ultra processors (Series 2). The laptops are equipped with the latest in all-new processing capabilities and deliver up to 48 Trillions of Operations Per Second (TOPS) NPU AI performance to handle power-demanding AI workloads. “The debut of the newest Intel Core Ultra processor-powered AI PCs from Acer is bringing meaningful improvement to customers’ lives,” said James Lin, general manager, Notebooks, Acer Inc. “The latest Swift Copilot+ PCs are set to deliver new AI experiences that will help Acer customers better organise, enjoy, and accomplish more at home, school and work.” Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Intel executive vice president and general manager, Client Computing Group, added: "Today’s fast-paced
work environment demands a laptop that delivers exceptional performance, long- lasting battery life, and advanced security features, all while harnessing AI capabilities to boost productivity. Powered by our all- new Intel Core Ultra processors, the Acer Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI meet and exceed these demands with a combination of great hardware design and power-efficient compute thanks to the long- time collaboration between Acer and Intel." Powerful AI processing The new Acer Swift 14 AI (SF14-51/T) and Swift 16 AI (SF16-51/T) deliver best-in-class AI performance with new Intel Core Ultra processors that optimise processing across the CPU, built-in Intel Arc graphics and next-gen NPU to accelerate AI workloads. As a result, the new laptops can accelerate generative AI tasks and creations with ease. They also feature new P-cores and E-cores designed for uncompromised performance while delivering exceptional power efficiency and battery life. Security The new laptops safeguard users’ digital assets with biometric security and several layers of protection built-in at the hardware and software levels. The new Intel Partner Security Engine helps preserve data confidentiality and code integrity while maintaining high performance for demanding AI workloads. Additionally, the Microsoft Pluton security processor ensures that they are both secured-core PCs providing chip-to- cloud security. These new Swift laptops come with Windows Hello that supports biometric login via fingerprint reader or through facial recognition by the 1440p QHD IR webcam.
James Lin general manager, Notebooks
acer.com
Copilot in Windows Do more, quicker than ever across multiple applications with the centralised generative AI assistance of Copilot in Windows 11. Accessible at the touch of a button with the Copilot Key.
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PRODUCT LAUNCH
Plus, the laptops protect users with Acer User Sensing technology, which enables the proximity sensor adjacent to the webcam to detect the user’s presence, automatically lock the screen when the user moves away, and wake up the device when the user returns. Premium design and features The new laptops’ performance and capabilities complement the premium chassis and sleek, modern designs. The aluminium cover boasts a stylish icon with a dynamic iridescent effect, while the touchpad illuminates with an AI Activity Indicator when the NPU is utilised or if Copilot is activated. Both new laptop lines can be opened with a single hand thanks to expert engineering and smooth 180-degree hinges. Plus, both are easy to carry by hand or in a bookbag thanks to their thin and light designs. In addition, the laptops have OLED displays that provide ultra-smooth playback with a 90Hz refresh rate, brilliant DCI-P3 colour accuracy, and HDR TrueBlack 500 certification. The Swift 14 AI is available with a 14-inch 3K or 2K OLED resolution display, while the Swift 16 AI line features a 16-inch 3K OLED panel, all of which are Eyesafe 2.0 certified. In addition, both laptop lines are available with an IPS touch display option for intuitive on-screen controls using a pen or fingertip.
Acer PurifiedVoice™ Employing sophisticated AI algorithms to identify and suppress unwanted background noise, Acer PurifiedVoice™ delivers distraction- free audio for more engaging communication experiences.
troubleshooting. AI-boosted conferencing tools include Acer PurifiedView™ 2.0 and Acer PurifiedVoice™ 2.0 to complement the 1440p QHD IR webcam and triple microphone array so users look and sound their best. Additionally, Copilot+ PC AI experiences will be available on the Swift devices through free updates coming this year. Performance-minded technology The laptops are performance-minded throughout; they can be equipped with up to 32GB LPDDR5X-8448 memory and up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD for synergistic performance across various apps and conditions. The new laptops ensure fast and reliable connections via Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth™ 5.4 as well as through the range of ports: including HDMI 2.1 and two USB Type-C supporting Thunderbolt 4. The Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI continue Acer’s Earthion initiative and commitment to sustainable practices; they utilise post- consumer recycled plastic in the device, ship with 100% recycled packaging and are EPEAT Gold-registered. Pricing and availability The Swift 14 AI (SF14-51/T) will be available in EMEA in September, starting at €1,199, while the Swift 16 AI (SF16-51/T) will be available in EMEA in December, starting at €1,299.
Michelle Johnston Holthaus executive vice president and general manager, Client Computing Group
Apps help customers do more Acer brings intelligent AI solutions to
streamline settings, optimise video presence and elevate communication. The laptops feature a dedicated AcerSense key for one- touch access to helpful AI features such as Acer LiveArt. Acer Assist, an app that runs locally on the device to search through and summarise privately uploaded documents when security is paramount as well as help with PC-related
intel.com
AMD Ryzen™ AI Built in Swift Edge 16 AI PC is equipped with a dedicated AI engine boasting up to 60% improved AI performance—and paired with Acer’s own AI solutions, it’s ready to usher in the future with more intuitive and enjoyable AI experiences.
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SAAS FOR SMBS
At your service Demand for Software-as-a-Service solutions are growing among small- to medium-sized businesses and as technology advances demand is only set to grow for the foreseeable future – which provides opportunities for resellers.
For many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) digitalisation is an ongoing process, but many are looking towards solutions that can help them become more efficient. To this end, many are now looking at Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions to achieve this. “We’ve definitely found that the demand for SaaS is growing among SMBs,” says Joe Tully, marketing manager at Adventoris. “This growth is down to a range of factors including cost-effectiveness, scalability and flexibility. Also many SaaS solutions now offer easy integration with other business tools and services such as enterprise resource planning systems, streamlining operations and improving efficiency across the board. What’s not to love?” Anthony Dobson, regional director, sales for Arrow’s enterprise computing solutions business in the UK&I, agrees, adding that it is the inherent flexibility of SaaS that is so attractive to SMBs. “It allows them to scale resources according to their needs, without the substantial upfront investment in hardware and software infrastructure needed for these types of solutions,” he says.
“User-friendly, secure and easy integration are the key qualities that SMBs are looking for in their SaaS solutions. Interoperability with existing applications and platforms such as their CRM are important. To minimise the risk to their organisations, SMBs are also looking for solutions that address compliance while ensuring they are always protected by the latest security solutions.” Chris Shaw, UKI&SA country channel manager at AvePoint, adds that SaaS is in high demand for SMBs because it allows them to do more with less. “They can pay and scale as they go to be more agile in their go to market plans,” he says. “As access to technology has become easier, we’re finding a willingness to embrace it and see if the proof is really in the pudding. CoPilot for Microsoft 365 is a great example of this – because there are tangible, quick impact use-cases, organisations of all sizes and industries want to invest.” Paul O’Riordan, VP and head of medium business UKI at Sage, adds that demand is growing in sectors such as ERP/financials, HR and payroll. “This surge is driven by the flexibility, scalability and cost-effectiveness,” he says. “These solutions help SMBs operate more efficiently and reduce IT costs without large upfront investments. Additionally, the shift towards remote work and digital transformation is fuelling this growth, allowing SMBs to manage operations from anywhere, enhancing agility and responsiveness.” Impact of hybrid Joe notes that there is increased adoption of SaaS solutions due to the shift to more remote and hybrid work. “This is driving demand for collaboration tools, project management software and communication platforms,” he says. “With our SwiftCloud customers, this shift to more remote or hybrid working formats has certainly impacted how B2B sales are completed. Traditionally, a lot of businesses would rely on physical, on-site visits to place orders, but this is becoming less of a ‘norm’ as
User-friendly, secure and easy integration are the key qualities that SMBs are looking for in their SaaS solutions. Interoperability with existing applications and platforms such as their CRM are important. “ ”
CONTRIBUTORS
Anthony Dobson regional director, sales
Joe Tully marketing manager
adventoris.com
arrow.com
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SAAS FOR SMBS
more and more SMBs opt for digital methods. “A very timely point, considering the recent Microsoft and Crowdstrike outages, but a huge requirement for SMBs is security and reliability. Business leaders need to ensure that their teams can continue to work effectively despite outside factors, such as conflict overseas impacting supply chains, and reduce any downtime. Most SaaS solutions have robust data security in place from expert teams to ensure peace of mind.” Changing expectations But as SaaS matures in the market and more SMBs implement solutions, so the expectations of customers are changing too. “There is a growing demand for industry- specific SaaS solutions that offer features and functionalities to meet niche needs; this is something that we are always working with clients to achieve,” says Joe. Paul agrees that SMBs are now seeking SaaS solutions tailored to their industries. “Customers also want a long-term relationship where they know that the SaaS provider is to support them consistently over time,” he says. “Additionally, there's a growing interest in AI and automation to streamline operations and improve customer experiences. According to research, SMBs value digital agility for growth, scalability and competitiveness, showing their evolving expectations as they adopt new technologies.” Mike Barron, UK managing director, SYNAXON, adds: “SaaS, of course, is not new anymore – it’s already the way many SMBs and larger organisations deploy and manage all apps and services,” he says. “As SaaS matures, user expectations are increasing. They expect services to be secure, responsive and always available, and they want to be sure that someone is monitoring and managing their services and keeping them protected and up to date. “For a lot of partners, it makes sense to work with an established supplier of managed services like SYNAXON to offer core SaaS services, such as managed endpoint security and antivirus. We can also help partners with project deployment. This is especially attractive for smaller SMB partners that don’t have a lot of resources to invest in setting up their own managed services operation. If they work with us, there is no set-up cost or need to employ technical staff to run their own services.” Simon Bennett, managing director – Advanced Solutions, UK and Ireland,
TD SYNNEX, adds that while the initial requirements of customers have not really changed, they do mature over time. “All organisations want to make certain that their information is fully secure and as they use more cloud resources, they want to make sure that they are getting the best value,” he says. “This puts the onus back on partners, who need to be confident in providing advice on how to ensure services are protected and that the customer is using the best platform for their particular needs.” Reseller role Indeed, partners and resellers have a key role in helping customers to get the most out of their SaaS solutions. “We’ve found that as customer usage increases, partners are seeking out more education and technical assistance on software and cloud services,” says Simon. “We’re seeing more engagement and enrolment on vendor-specific programmes for
“
According to research, SMBs value digital agility for growth, scalability and competitiveness, showing their evolving expectations as they adopt new technologies.
”
Chris Shaw UKI&SA country channel manager
Simon Bennett managing director, Advanced Solutions, UK&I
Paul O’Riordan VP and head of medium business UKI
avepoint.com
sage.com
uk.tdsynnex.com
CONTINUED
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AD INTEGRAL
O nce upon a time, in the vast landscape of the digital world, there were three organizations—The First Little Pig Plc, The Second Little Pig Ltd, and The Third Little Pig Incorporated. Each little pig sought to build a robust defence against the cunning cyber threat wolf that roamed the digital wilderness. T he First Little Pig Plc, eager to establish a quick defence, built its cybersecurity house with straw, relying on the protection provided by a port-based firewall. The wolf, representing the relentless cyber threat, huffed and puffed,
employing basic techniques like phishing, malware and applications on non-standard ports, easily blowing down the straw house and infiltrating the organization. T he Second Little Pig Ltd, aware of the dangers, opted for a slightly sturdier house made of sticks, protected by a range of products from many different vendors. The wolf, undeterred, applied more sophisticated tactics such as social engineering and targeted attacks. The sticks house proved to be stronger, but the wolf’s persistence eventually led to a breach, compromising the organization’s defences. T he Third Little Pig Incorporated, determined to fortify its digital domain, constructed a robust house
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