Cross Channel: Dixons Deploys IBM Cloud As Microsoft Launches Surface As A Service

Welcome to Cross Channel, a weekly round up of the most pertinent stories from our sister site ChannelBiz, where you can find out all the latest developments, views and strategies from the world of the channel.

Dixons Buys IBM hybrid cloud to merge IT

Dixons Carphone Group is migrating to the IBM Cloud from IBM data centres in the UK to integrate two distinct infrastructures and better manage peaks and troughs in trading.

After assessing the long-term values and scalability of multiple cloud providers, the company turned to IBM Cloud for a smooth transition to a hybrid cloud infrastructure.

“We know we can trust IBM Cloud to seamlessly integrate the infrastructures of both companies into one hybrid cloud that will enable us to continue focusing on other parts of the business,” said David Hennessy, IT director, Dixons Carphone.

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Most companies still using ‘end of life’ Windows Server 2003

Over half of companies are still using Windows Server 2003 for company data, despite Microsoft ending support for the platform last year.

IT professional network Spiceworks analysed anonymised, aggregated usage data provided by IT pros across the globe, which revealed 53 percent of companies have at least one instance of Windows Server 2003 still running.

The EOL date for Windows Server 2003 passed almost a year ago, on 14 July 2015.

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Microsoft launches Surface-as-a-Service partner options

Microsoft has started offering Surface as a Service subscriptions in a bid to bring up enterprise adoption of Windows 10.

The Surface service means that Microsoft’s CSPs (Cloud Solution Providers) can now sell Surface as a Service. Essentially, Surface devices can now be sold to customers of channel partners on a subscription basis.

Moreover, Microsoft has done the same for Windows 10 Enterprise Edition, allowing channel partners to sell Windows 10 subscriptions at $7 (£5.30) per person per month via the Cloud Solution Provider channel.

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BlackBerry still committed to BB10 OS and real keyboards

Over recent weeks there has been media speculation that BlackBerry is looking to ditch BB10 in favour of Android, and that with the end of BlackBerry Classic smartphone sales the Canadian company is moving away from its traditional hard keyboards.

The company has rejected this speculation and says it is committed to both, while at the same time confirming it plans more Android-based devices.

Marty Beard, BlackBerry COO, said: “BlackBerry is not backing away from BB10. Our customers depend on the BB10 platform and they are the ones that drive our roadmap. The next 10.3.3 update coming within the next month will come with enhanced privacy and security features.

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