Credit card fraud on the rise again

Credit card fraud is on the rise after it appeared to have gone out of fashion with criminals
flocking back to abusing plastic that they can exploit as a result of identity fraud.

The channel knows only too well the cost of criminals using credit cards
in fraudulent purchases and the growth in that type of crime should put them on their guard with
the fraud prvention service CIFAS warning that although overall fraud has dropped there are
worrying trends.

Credit and store card fraud increased by 28% in the first four months of this year compared to
the same period of 2012, making it the favourite type of criminal activity.

Identity fraud is fueling the use of plastic in crime and Richard Hurley, CIFAS communications
manager, warned that those that had hoped it had become a less popular method of scamming suppliers
needed to take note of the emerging trend.

“The credit or store card – as one of the most widely used financial services products…

Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240184535/Credit-card-fraud-on-the-rise-again

Canon launches recycled printer hardware

Canon UK is to launch four remanufactured editions of some of its bestselling A3 MFP devices in
a bid to save partners time and cost, as well as boost its environmental credentials.

Based on its black-and-white iR3025, 3045 and 5065 and
its colour IRC3580 lines, the remanufactured hardware is made up of over 90% second-hand
components, which Canon claims means they can be offered at a price point up to 60% lower than a
similar all-new unit.

The remanufacturing process – which takes place in a dedicated facility in Germany – sees the
used units disassembled to the bare frame level, checked and cleaned and then rebuilt, with all
wearing parts replaced with new, and other updates to meet new quality standards and legal
requirements also included.

Canon said the similarity of the recycled units to their predecessors meant partners would no
longer need to fritter away time and money on customer training, or their own refurbishment
operations.

Canon European and UK marketing manager Matthew…

Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240184529/Canon-launches-recycled-printer-hardware

Solera buy heralds new directions for Blue Coat

Blue Coat is revamping its strategic approach to the security market and launching new product
sets after buying Solera
Networks for an undisclosed sum.

Speaking to MicroScope, Chris Pace, Blue Coat director of product and solutions marketing EMEA,
said the firm had recognised that it needed to change its approach to the security market in
response to the sector’s rapid and constant evolution.

To take account of this, it has today unveiled its
Business Assurance Technology blueprint, encompassing five technology pillars, Security and Policy
Enforcement Centre, securing the end user network experience; Mobility Empowerment Centre,
encompassing BYOD and mobile business initiatives; Trusted Applications Centre, allowing buyers to
deploy new and more innovative apps; Performance Centre, encompassing network performance, and
Resolution Centre, which covers security analytics and advanced persistent threats (APTs).

Solera’s DeepSee analytics software platform, along with SSL tech
acquired earlier this month from Netronome, will form a key part of this new direction.

Solera specialises in real-time security intelligence and analytics, and forensic capabilities,
and Blue Coat hopes…

Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240184519/Solera-buy-heralds-new-directions-for-Blue-Coat

VMware appoints new global channel head

VMware has enlisted the services of former Cisco vice president of worldwide commercial sales,
Dave O’Callaghan, as its new senior vice president of global channels and alliances.

O’Callaghan joins VMware from his own independent consultancy, which he set up in 2011 to advise
on go-to-market strategies for vendors, disties and resellers.

Prior to that he spent 12 years inside the Cisco machine,
where he led sales, strategy and programmes for midmarket and SME. He also held several senior
sales and channel roles at Hitachi Data Systems and Memorex Telex.

In his latest role, O’Callaghan will take charge of developing and leading VMware’s worldwide
channel vision and strategy, covering solution and service providers, disties, OEMs, system
integrators, outsourcers and ISVs.

“Dave’s wealth of experience with many high-profile sales leadership roles at enterprise IT
organizations will be invaluable to our robust partner community,” said Dan Smoot, senior vice
president of global customer operations at VMware.

“I’m pleased to have Dave lead our world-class global partner organisation to help partners
deliver solutions for…

Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/news/2240184484/VMware-appoints-new-global-channel-head

Why no rush to managed services?

So, it looks like managed services isn’t the panacea many people thought it was. Despite all the
talk over the last few years that managed services was the way to go for partners to tie themselves
more closely to customers, it appears that many resellers just “aren’t that in to” managed
services.

According to research
from Forrester , only 12% of resellers are offering managed services. I must admit to finding
that figure a little surprising probably because there has been so much noise around managed
services from vendors, distributors and channel partners.

And it doesn’t seem as if there’s going to be a mass migration towards
managed services any time soon. Forrester found only another 5% of resellers expected to get into
the market in the next two years. Even those resellers that are in managed services aren’t exactly
going overboard. According to Forrester, managed services contribute (on average) around 15% of
their overall revenues. That’s a respectable figure but not an earth-shattering one.

So unless something…

Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/opinion/Why-no-rush-to-managed-services