Government IT News For VARs — November 26, 2014
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In news this week, a proposed revenue ceiling could affect IT VARs in the federal IT reseller market, a new strategy will guide R&D investment decisions for federal agencies, and vendors are selling convergence as the next big thing. Also, the Department of Defense (DOD) security requirements are driving smartphone developments, and agencies are adopting flash storage arrays.
SBA Proposal Could Change Landscape For IT Resellers
A new revenue ceiling proposed by the Small Business Association (SBA) could significantly alter the landscape for IT resellers by excluding a large number of small businesses from the federal IT reseller market, according to the E-Commerce Times. The SBA is proposing revisions to the size standards affecting IT VARs who provide hardware, software, or both as part of projects that also involve installation, systems integration, or other IT-related services for federal agencies. The change means that companies with over $27.5 million in annual revenue no longer qualify for small business preferences.
New National Strategy For Federal Agencies Will Guide Big Data R&D Investment Decisions
Fed Tech Magazine reported that the federal government is developing a collaborative strategic plan that should provide direction for Big Data research and development for federal agencies over the next decade. A collaborative effort among government, industry, and academia, a draft of the National Big Data R&D Strategic Plan was published last month. A workshop is scheduled for January to further discuss the framework document and incorporate feedback. No date for finalization has been released.
Convergence Is The Next Big Federal IT Thing
According to the E-commerce Times, IT solutions providers have started to sow the seeds to sell convergence services to federal agencies. They are presenting the possibilities of marketing a full range of capabilities, called Xaas, to federal agencies — that currently spend more than $80 billion annually on IT budgets.
DOD Security Requirements Drive Commercial Smartphone Development
According to Fed Tech Magazine. The DOD has shared its security requirements with industry — and companies are responding — including Apple, whose iOS 6 operating system was approved for government use last year.
Agencies Use Flash Arrays To Support Mission-Critical Apps
According to Fed Tech Magazine, IT managers turn to flash storage in order to support mission-critical applications such as virtual desktops, SQL databases, and email. The article examines how the General Services Administration and the Defense Information Systems Agency have incorporated flash arrays into their platforms to optimize storage and access for their users. According to recent IDC research, 18 percent of organizations already use all-flash arrays, 23 percent use hybrid arrays, and another 37 percent use existing spinning disks with flash drives added as cache.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Government IT Resource Center.