March 9th 2010

DrayTek UK – Julian Hubble

Julian is the Sales and Marketing Manager for DrayTek in the UK. DrayTek provides a selection of networking devices, including the popular 2820x series of ADSL routers. The products range from high-end consumer to enterprise and includes a number of solutions aimed at SME businesses.

For those who don’t sell DrayTek, Julian will be introducing the opportunities for partnering with the company and showcasing the ‘core’ products and their various features.

If you already sell DrayTek products, it’s a great chance to learn how the company is moving into the telephony space and a chance to get hands on with the VigorIPPBX and VigorPhone devices.

LabTech Software – Mark Wilson

As UK Sales Manager for LabTech Software, Mark will demonstrate how LabTech Software can help IT Support companies manage Break Fix & Managed service clients to increase efficiency and reduce overheads associated with managing clients. LabTech Software has many functions including Remote Control, Patch Management, Scripting and Monitoring amongst others.

February 9th 2010

Bright Fox Solutions

Bright Fox Solutions is an exciting and fresh web development agency specialising in simple, yet eye-catching brochure web sites. With projects starting from as little as £399 and a very simple pricing structure, it’s rare to see such well-designed affordable web sites. Clare Kingham will be talking us through Bright Fox’s approach to web development, and sharing examples of past projects.

Datawreck

Datawreck are the leading data recovery company in North Staffordshire, and we’re delighted to have both founding partners Rick Shingler and Leigh Trojanowski to present to the group. Rick will be explaining the various types of media that Datawreck can recover data from, and what partner opportunities exist, while Leigh will be providing a live demonstration of their work.

January 12th 2010

Technology Management and Consultancy – Paul Maloney

Technology Management and Consultancy was founded in April 2005 by Paul Maloney. Also known as TMC the company specialises in independent advice on Information Systems to the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) market in the UK.

Paul works as both Managing Director and Senior Consultant with TMC. In 2006 he became a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a Specialist of the Business Continuity Institute (SBCI). In 2008 Paul, after a review by his peers, was accepted as a Member of the Business Continuity Institute (MBCI). Paul is also a Prince2 Practitioner.

His presentation will include a discussion of key security topics: asset management, patch management and best practices for administrator passwords.

MXSweep – Lee Clark

The MXSweep portfolio of managed services is a complete enterprise-level email security solution, which makes sure that clean and acceptable email always reaches the people who need it. MSSweep are committed to working with SaaS Distributors, VARs and MSPs giving them a streamlined route to market and leaving them free to concentrate on providing partners with the very best service. MXSweep’s offering is made up of three complementary services:

• E-mail protection
• Content control
• Recovery and continuity

The presentation will be delivered by Lee Clark, who is the UK Sales Channel Director for MXSweep.

December 8th 2009

Trend Micro – Tracey Hill (Distribution Account Manager) and Mark Younger (Pre-sales Engineer)

• Trend Micro – company introduction
• The changing threat landscape
• Why Trend Micro products are different
• Selling additional services
• The Worry Free Products – including product demonstrations
• The opportunity for our Resellers
• Reseller Promotions / Affinity Partner programme

DBAM Systems – Lorna Riddle

Founded in the UK in 2003, DBAM Systems is a leading provider of consolidated network traffic optimisation reporting and management solutions with its Exbander Precision (EP) and Exbander MAS ranges of products.

November 10th 2009

Alan Jones – Getting the most from HP

Alan’s main responsibilities at Bell Micro include helping HP partners increase margins, product and sales training and channel development. He provides Partners with the tools and knowledge both from a technical and commercial perspective to sell on real business value. Alan’s title of ‘Reseller Manager’ belies the depth of his technical understanding of the entire HP stack, and his presentation is bound to provide real value to any existing (or future) HP resellers. His talk will include information about the ProLiant G6 Server range, free HP training courses, and will touch on Partnering with HP and improving sales. Quite simply, if you sell HP, you can’t afford to miss it.

Dominic Gill -  Microsoft Apprenticeship Programme (BritainWorks)

Given the issue of rising unemployment in the UK, Microsoft is dedicating itself over the next three years to helping get Britain back to work. Part of this commitment includes an apprenticeship scheme designed to give opportunities to those currently out of work, but with a real passion to get into the IT industry. Microsoft Partners can be a part of this by taking on one or more apprentices to work in a technical support or technical sales role. In return, the BritainWorks scheme will fund the training of the apprentice to MCDST, MCITP, A+, Network+ level and beyond.

October 13th 2009

Cécile Cathala – StorageCraft Europe

StorageCraft Technology Corporation is focused on providing innovative disk-based backup, disaster recovery, data protection, migration and security solutions for servers, desktops and laptops. Our main objective is to provide products that can reduce downtime, improve business continuity and lower the total cost of ownership for systems in your environment.

Zoe Russell – ZHR Marketing

“Smart Marketing for Small Businesses.”

At ZHR Marketing we believe that good marketing enables business and financial objectives to be achieved.
Use marketing to help your small business increase sales and generate more income.
Your knowledge, experience and expertise led you to set up your business.
At ZHR Marketing we’ve got the knowledge, experience and expertise to help you market that business.
Smaller businesses don’t usually have the resources to employ a full time Marketing Expert. That’s where ZHR Marketing can help.Whether you need help with just one project, or you’d like a permanent marketing resource that suits your budget, talk to ZHR Marketing.
Let us help your business succeed.

September 8th 2009

Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) and Windows 7.

Dell Quinn is a Partner Network Manager and recently took over management of the Small Business Specialist Community. At this event, she will outline what the Microsoft Partner Network changes mean for Small Business Specialists as well as describe her plans for supporting the Community.

Jamie Burgess is a Partner Technology Specialist and will provide an overview of Windows 7 discussing it’s features and functionality as well as providing advice on how best to sell Windows 7 to your SMB customers. Jamie will also discuss techniques and technologies for deploying Windows 7.