This week in the IT Channel...

Every Thursday morning, IT Europa compiles the week's most significant news from the channel.

In this week's news...

艾睿电子 has agreed with Actian to deliver advanced data intelligence solutions to businesses across the UK and Ireland, in a collaboration aims to help channel partners meet the data needs and potential of enterprises. Anthony Dobson , Regional Sales Director, UK&I, for Arrow’s enterprise computing solutions business added: “Actian products provide our channel partners with flexible, scalable options for managing data with minimal compromise.”

Multiple US media outlets are reporting that 英特尔 may be broken up to allow separate companies or consortiums acquire the two main parts of the business. It is believed that 博通 is waiting in the wings to acquire Intel’s chip design business. Separately, Taiwan’s 台积公司 is reportedly putting together a consortium to buy Intel’s contract chip building unit, Intel Foundry. Broadcom is not interested in Intel’s fabs. Whatever happens, Intel will have to do more to make up lost ground in the AI space, with the likes of Nvidia and smaller rivals already making hay in the growing data centre and enterprise market.

Data security services firm Forcepoint has appointed Timothy Puccio as its new global channels leader. TD SYNNEX has named Andy Brown as senior business unit director - data and applications, UK and Ireland. Barracuda has announced the appointment of Pete Alexander as chief marketing officer (CMO). In another CMO move, Cohesity has named Carol Carpenter in the company role. Version 1 , the digital transformation specialist, has named Roop Singh as chief commercial officer.

Growth Forum keynotes to focus on disruption and leadership

The high-growth MSP community will be convening next week, February 26th - 27th, at?the Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire, to demystify the trends, cultures and opportunities influencing business success. Will Garside, the event’s Editorial Director, said: "We are in a golden age for MSPs, and strong decisive leadership will be key to capitalising on the multitude of opportunities present in the market. For more information or to register to attend, visit: https://www.itegrowthforum.com/

Softcat joins elite band of cloud education service providers

IT and cloud services provider Softcat has won a UK place on the OCRE 2024 framework contract for the education sector. The framework is operated by communications infrastructure services provider GéANT, in partnership with education network provider Jisc in the UK, and runs until February 2030. Rachel Clay , head of education and non-profit organisations at Softcat, said: “We look forward to deepening our partnerships within the education community, and driving impactful outcomes for students and educators alike.”

Aryaka better serves channel’s secure access needs with tech and price updates

Aryaka , the SASE (secure access service edge) service provider, has added AI functionality, and fully adopted as-a-service?delivery and pricing to its offer.The new AI>Observe feature provides AI-powered observability for advanced threat detection, prevention, and analytics. The update also delivers customer and “partner-friendly” as-a-service packaging, “simplifying resale, purchase and ownership” of offerings, the provider said. Thirdly, Aryaka has added dynamic points of presence (PoPs) to meet customers’ connectivity and regulatory compliance needs.