Robert Lopez

Extreme Networks is teaming up with C1 and Kentucky State University to deliver cutting-edge, AI-powered cloud networking solutions—enhancing campus-wide connectivity, strengthening cybersecurity, and equipping students with advanced tech skills for a competitive digital future. Read the full announcement for more.

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We sit down with Jay Dixon of Criteria Consulting on the Channel 2.0 Podcast to explore the evolving relationship between MSPs, VARs, and the TSD community. Together, we unpack how the industry has shifted since the 2016 ScanSource and Intelisys acquisition and why the long-anticipated convergence of these ecosystems is finally accelerating. Jay shares nearly three decades of experience in IT, from building MSPs to navigating the complexities of the TSD model. This candid conversation covers: - The three distinct "channels" MSP, VAR, and TSD, and why each one operates differently. - The rise of MSPs in the channel and how their customer-first mindset is reshaping supplier relationships. - Why support and trust matter more than features in winning MSP business. - How suppliers can effectively approach MSPs and avoid common pitfalls. The growing overlap and competition between MSPs and Trusted Advisors. - What the future holds including software, new verticals, and the role of AI in channel enablement. Whether you are a supplier, TSD leader, or Trusted Advisor, this episode is packed with actionable insights into how to align with MSPs, eliminate channel conflict, and position yourself for the next wave of channel transformation. The Channel Advisors™

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The economic reset facing broadcast and media tech spending in 2026 Part two of this series. Resonates very well with Finance, Production and the engineers, less so with the A.I. snake-oil salesmen. - The broadcast and media industry’s 2026 outlook reflects a permanent economic reset driven by audience fragmentation, margin pressure, and mounting legacy infrastructure costs. - Investment is shifting from optimism-led expansion to strict financial discipline, prioritizing ROI, lower OPEX, and flexible, software-defined, IP-first systems. - Premium “broadcast-grade” hardware is losing relevance as lower-cost standard hardware, with software-defined alternatives, proves sufficient. - As efficiency gains plateau, focus is moving toward monetizing existing content assets through automation, scale, and hybrid cloud strategies, reshaping both broadcaster operations and vendor business models.   https://lnkd.in/etU-4KWc

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In their most recent report, TÉRAL RESEARCH gives insight into what use cases are driving the projected 20% YoY growth for 5G SA. We are thrilled to have the largest global commercial 5G SA footprint amongst core vendors and look forward to continuing to grow our footprint with valued customers. https://lnkd.in/gEvspS7a

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The past year forced a reset in how many of us think about fiber infrastructure and data center connectivity. Bigger networks didn’t automatically mean better outcomes—and scale alone stopped being a strategy. What really changed were expectations. Instead of asking “How much bandwidth do we need?”, the conversations shifted to “Where does it run, what happens when something breaks, and who’s accountable when it does?” Connectivity moved from an engineering topic to a business risk discussion. We also saw proximity matter in a real way. AI workloads, data gravity, and latency-sensitive applications pulled infrastructure closer to where work actually happens. Regional data centers and dense metro fiber weren’t just complementary anymore—they became essential. And quietly, reliability overtook speed as the thing that truly mattered. Route diversity, operational transparency, and resilience stopped being differentiators and became table stakes. In a volatile year, uptime earned more trust than headline speeds. Looking ahead to 2026, it feels less about who has the most fiber and more about who built with intention—and who didn’t. Curious how others see it: what changed in the way you think about connectivity over the past year, and what do you think will matter most next?

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AI is reshaping everything digital, and service providers are already making impressive strides in leveraging it for efficiency and customer experience. But the real opportunity is still ahead. I believe telcos are uniquely positioned to become central players in the AI ecosystem by building on their monetization of connectivity and data center interconnect and moving towards higher-margin, distributed compute and orchestration. It's time to seize this "monster of an opportunity" and define the future. SPs should be leading the charge! This STL Partners article does a great job outlining effective next steps. https://lnkd.in/gNsJXhys

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As enterprises prioritize hybrid infrastructure and data sovereignty, Mitel is aligning its partner program to reward vertical expertise and services beyond the sale. ⚡Don't miss Channel Dive's recent article featuring insights from Mitel's Head of Channel and Distribution Sales, Steve Loebrich, and CTO, Luiz Domingos 👇. bit.ly/40g5Vp5

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