01732 759725 DISTRIBUTOR NEWS Microsoft CSP guidance Sherweb, the North American cloud distributor and MSP service provider that gained a foothold in Europe last December with the acquisition of Irish IT products distributor MicroWarehouse, is enhancing its value to the 8,000 MSPs it works with by providing expert guidance on how to navigate upcoming changes to Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program. It warns that from October 1, when the Microsoft CSP program evolves into the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP), CSP partners will be exposed to new requirements that they will need to manage carefully if they are to stay compliant, protect margins and grow their business. Direct CSPs that sell and manage licenses directly will face higher revenue thresholds, stricter compliance requirements and must hold a Solution Partner designation to qualify for incentives and cashback. While indirect CSPs working through a distributor will have fewer requirements, they must still earn 25 Partner Capability Score points to be eligible for incentives. Alexandre Laflamme, Programs and Sales Incentives Manager at Sherweb, said: “MSPs are already managing everything from security and compliance to client operations, and these CSP updates add even more challenges, especially when it’s not always clear what needs to be done to stay eligible. MSPs don’t need any more complexity – they need clarity. We provide this by working directly with MSPs to align business goals to Microsoft’s evolving programs and building a clear plan to meet requirements and maximise benefits, so they can keep their focus on their customers.” In addition to guidance on program updates, real-time access to experts, help building Partner Capability Scores and meeting skilling requirements, plus advice on how to maximise performance‑based benefits and rewards, Sherweb is launching Accelerate Microsoft, a new consultation program offering MSPs one-on-one access to experts to help them unlock the full value of their Microsoft partnership. www.sherweb.com … Xelion extending reach to South Africa with Engage 365 Solutions Xelion, the Technology Reseller Awards 2025 UC & Collaboration Vendor of the Year, is expanding its international footprint through a new partnership with South African distributor Engage 365. Its strategic move into Africa is the UCaaS vendor’s second distribution partnership outside Europe, following its launch in Australia and New Zealand with Activa. The agreement with Engage 365 Solutions will give the distributor’s reseller partners access to the complete Xelion ecosystem, enabling them to deliver a modern, feature-rich UCaaS platform with a simple pricing model and responsive, UK‑based support. Xelion UK Managing Director Dave Reynolds said: “I’m thrilled to partner with Engage 365 Solutions and introduce Xelion to South Africa. This partnership represents another major milestone in our international growth.” www.xelion.com www.engage365.co.za … Checkmarx brings ‘firstmover’ advantage to e92spark Checkmarx, a leader in agentic-AI powered application security testing, has signed a UK and Ireland distribution agreement with e92spark, a new division set up by value-added distributor e92plus to bring innovative, disruptive cybersecurity vendors to the UK market. Checkmarx’s new partnership with e92spark follows its recent launch of Developer Assist, the first in a family of agentic AI tools, giving developers 04 Virgin Media O2 sharpens focus for fixed wholesale push Virgin Media O2 is sharpening its focus on opportunities in the fixed wholesale market by bringing together its existing consumer and business wholesale teams in a single division dedicated to accelerating delivery timelines and reducing complexity for a wide range of partners and customers, including ISPs, resellers and enterprise carriers. The Fixed Wholesale division is being led by Julie Agnew, Managing Director of Fixed Wholesale and Customer Delivery, and, reporting to her, Executive Director for Fixed Wholesale Diego Tedesco. Virgin Media O2 believes the new structure, underpinned by a digital-first system architecture and ongoing investment in its fixed and mobile networks, will provide the scale, speed, enhanced service capability and differentiated product offering needed to provide a compelling alternative for fixed wholesale customers. Julie Agnew said: “With Virgin Media O2 and nexfibre’s combined fibre footprint already passing more than 7 million premises and our network upgrade activity continuing at pace, we’re laying the foundation for the next wave of connectivity innovation across the UK. By bringing together our wholesale teams, underpinned with decades of expertise, nationwide field capabilities and a scaled footprint, our team is uniquely well-positioned and ready to support our wholesale partners and offer a viable alternative to the status quo.” Virgin Media O2’s wholesale capabilities are already being used by giffgaff for its new consumer broadband service featuring a range of symmetrical speed fibre broadband packages. Julie Agnew BlackFog ADX added to Exertis Enterprise cyber resilience offering Exertis Enterprise has expanded its cyber security offering in the UK and mainland Europe through a partnership with BlackFog, the company behind on‑device anti-data exfiltration (ADX) technology designed to stop data from leaving devices and networks. Complementing existing EDR/XDR and network controls, BlackFog’s ADX platform adds an extra layer of protection against ransomware, data loss and extortion by blocking data exfiltration at source via adaptive on-device behavioural controls and real‑time policy enforcement. Dominic Ryles, Sales and Alliance Director at Exertis Enterprise, said: “Organisations can no longer rely on static protection; they need adaptive measures that evolve as fast as the threats do. Our partnership with BlackFog brings this capability to the forefront. By combining their pioneering anti data exfiltration (ADX) technology with our partner ecosystem, we’re enabling resellers and service providers to deliver solutions that not only safeguard customers against AI-driven and emerging threats but also unlock new routes to profitability. For our partners, this is about turning resilience into a competitive advantage.” Exertis Enterprise is supporting the roll-out out BlackFog ADX to channel partners in the UK and mainland Europe with enablement, deal support and services designed to accelerate partner growth. www.exertisenterprise.com Dominic Ryles
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