South African channel partners got the inside story on IBM’s new Power 11 in Johannesburg today. The new technology promises to improve customers’ productivity and reduce costs, while paving the road to full AI value. @FirstDist @IBM.

The latest issue of Channelwise is out. We cover where the channel stands as we enter the second half of 2025; how we can solve the IT skills crisis; updates on storage and accessories; and the women driving FD's Microsoft team.

#Google Cloud’s newly-opened Johannesburg region – its first in #Africa – is expected to fuel $90,6-billion in economic output through the continent, while unlocking more than 300 000 jobs. @Google .

The latest issue of Channelwise is out now. @Syntech @ASUS_za @CompTIA @axizsa.

#Microsoft has introduced its #Marojana chip, based on a new material, that can scale to 1-million qubits. The #topoconductor technology brings the prospect of industrial-scale #quantum computing systems within reach. @Microsoft.

ASBIS Enterprises is partnering with Philips monitors in South Africa, delivering advanced display technology that caters to a wide range of consumer and professional needs.

Syntech Distribution has been voted as the Channelwise Customer Care Distributor of the Year 2024. @SyntechSA .

Pinnacle is the Channelwise Distributor of the Year 2024. @Pinnacle_ICT .

Africa Tech Festival, which took place this week in Cape Town, saw telecommunications vendors and operators get together with governments and key policy-makers to pilot the continent on it’s transition to a digital economy. @africatechfest .

Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10, with Microsoft Copilot and Intel Core Ultra processors, offer professional users AI-powered productivity, flexibility, and security that keeps up with – and anticipates – their needs. @TarsusOnline .

Artificial intelligence (#AI) is ready to become a mainstream technology that can help organisations solve their IT and business challenges. Red Hat is embedding AI into its open source platforms to help customers reach their full AI potential. @RedHat.

#IBM and Intel are collaborating to deploy Intel Gaudi 3 AI accelerators as a service on IBM Cloud by early next year to help more cost effectively scale enterprise #AI and drive innovation underpinned with security and resiliency. @IBM @intel .

Syspro, the South African software company founded by Phil and Chris Duff and which become a global success story, has been sold to private equity investor Advent International for an undisclosed sum. @SYSPRO .

Pinnacle’s bi-annual TechScape event brought together enterprise vendors and partners to discuss the growing opportunity for artificial intelligence, with practical advice on how to drive new AI deployments. Read all the news from the event. @Pinnacle_ICT .

As the hype around artificial intelligence (AI) starts to dissipate, organisations are starting to use the technology to drive real business transformation, says #Dell Technologies’ Doug Woolley. @Pinnacle_ICT .

The pace of business today has accelerated beyond most people’s expectations, and AI) is the next step in making things more efficient, according to Claudio Polla, senior country manager: Africa at #NVIDIA . @Pinnacle_ICT .

IT distributor Pinnacle is making it easier for its partners and their customers to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) solutions with the launch of an AI Services organisation, says CEO Tim Humphreys-Davies.

Distributors have to be agile in the fast-paced IT world. Pinnacle has risen to the challenge, investing in its enterprise business to ensure partners can access end-to-end IT solutions .

#Intel will cut about 15 000 jobs – 15% of the workforce – as part of its plan to restructure and reduce costs by about $10-billion, says CEO Pat Gelsinger.

Distributor revenue remained flat year over year at $19,5-billion in the second quarter of 2024 (2Q24), according to IDC.