As enterprises move from AI experimentation to production deployment, security risks tied to data exposure, identity compromise and agent misuse are expanding rapidly, forcing organizations to rethink how they protect people, data and collaboration environments. Proofpoint is positioning itself at the intersection of AI, human-centric security and data protection, evolving from a point-product focus into a broader platform strategy designed to consolidate tools and reduce operational complexity for customers and partners. With the majority of its business now transacted through partners – a dramatic shift from a decade ago – the company is aligning its channel model to drive partner-sourced growth, incentivize platform adoption, strengthen deal protections and introduce performance-based back-end rebates that reward both net-new acquisition and long-term customer expansion. Stan de Bossiet, senior vice president of global channels, joins Larry Walsh on Changing Channels to discuss Proofpoint's new channel program, its objectives, and the implications for partners and customers alike.

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Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

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As AI workloads expand, data centers multiply, and everything stays perpetually plugged in, electricity has become a limiting factor for digital growth rather than a passive utility. Aging power grids, rising costs, and infrastructure constraints are colliding with unprecedented demand, pushing energy management into the core of IT strategy. For the channel, this convergence of power, IoT, and infrastructure represents a new growth frontier — one where managing, optimizing, and securing energy is as critical as managing networks or cloud workloads. Vince Bradley, the CEO and founder of Abundant IoT, joins Larry Walsh on Changing Channels to discuss the growing opportunity of energy management in the IT channel.

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About Vince Bradley

About Abundant IOT: https://abundantiot.com/

Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

Follow @Channelnomics to stay current on the latest #research, #bestpractices, and #resources. At @Channelnomics — the voice of thought leadership — we define #channel trends, chart new #GTM strategies, and #partner with industry leaders to champion #diversity in the channel. 

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The channel is widely regarded as the most effective way for technology vendors to cover the total addressable market, enabling broader customer reach, deeper penetration into specialized segments, and more profitable growth. Yet persistent doubt remains—from boardrooms to field sales—about the true contribution of partners. That skepticism is rarely philosophical; it is rooted in attribution. When vendors lack clear, agreed-upon methods for measuring impact, linking partner activity to outcomes, and crediting success, the value of the channel becomes difficult to defend. In this episode of Changing Channels, Larry Walsh is joined by Joe Sykora, CEO of Coro Cybersecurity, and Frank Rauch to examine why attribution remains one of the channel’s most enduring—and consequential—challenges.

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Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

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Artificial intelligence is radically transforming how businesses and individuals operate, eliminating mundane tasks, driving operational efficiency, and unlocking new sources of value. In the technology channel, AI is reshaping the go-to-market relationship between vendors and partners by automating processes, improving collaboration, and introducing new products and services that help offset the effects of commoditization. Partners are under pressure to find new accretive and attached offerings to sustain profitability and growth, and few companies are responding to this opportunity as aggressively as ServiceNow. The company has evolved from embedding AI into its platform to incorporating it across its partner management systems and integrating AI agents from other vendors to expand its value proposition. ServiceNow’s channel organization is using AI as a guiding principle, rethinking engagement models, redefining partner roles, and even mandating that every member of its partner team be fluent in AI concepts and capabilities. Michael Park, senior vice president of global partnerships and channels at ServiceNow, joins Larry Walsh to talk about what it means to have AI fluidity in the channel.

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Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

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In this episode of Changing Channels, Larry Walsh sits down with Olivier Zieleniecki, Global Vice President of Worldwide Partners at MongoDB, to discuss how the database innovator is redefining partner collaboration in the era of artificial intelligence. Zieleniecki explains how MongoDB’s ecosystem strategy has evolved from product enablement to outcome-driven partnership, emphasizing joint innovation and solution development over transactional resale. He details how MongoDB empowers its partners to build generative AI applications, integrate with leading platforms, and deliver measurable business results for customers. From the company’s “AI factory” framework to its focus on quality over quantity in partner engagement, Zieleniecki shares how MongoDB is aligning its technology, resources, and ecosystem around a single goal — helping partners and customers turn data into action.

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Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

Follow @Channelnomics to stay current on the latest #research, #bestpractices, and #resources. At @Channelnomics — the voice of thought leadership — we define #channel trends, chart new #GTM strategies, and #partner with industry leaders to champion #diversity in the channel. 

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In this episode of Changing Channels, Larry Walsh sits down with Jason Beal and Justin Crotty of Exclusive Networks to explore how the cybersecurity-focused distributor is carving out a distinct role in a market dominated by broadline distributors. Beal and Crotty discuss why they returned to distribution after senior vendor roles, the unique services Exclusive Networks offers across the customer and channel lifecycle, and how they help vendors and partners navigate the crowded cybersecurity landscape. From emerging vendor incubation to white-glove engineering support, they explain how Exclusive Networks aims to become as well-known in North America as it is globally, by addressing churn, accelerating adoption, and delivering value where traditional distributors often fall short.

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Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

Follow @Channelnomics to stay current on the latest #research, #bestpractices, and #resources. At @Channelnomics — the voice of thought leadership — we define #channel trends, chart new #GTM strategies, and #partner with industry leaders to champion #diversity in the channel. 

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The channel exists to extend a vendor’s reach and capabilities through partners, opening access to markets and revenue streams that would otherwise be out of reach. Building and running programs that enable those partners, however, rests heavily on how well performance and sales data are understood. While most agree that channel data management is critical, the practices for collecting, analyzing, and applying that information often fall short.

In this episode of Changing Channels, Bill Rainey, vice president of global channels at Milestone Systems, joins Channelnomics’ Larry Walsh for a conversation about the discipline of data in the channel. Together, they explore the importance of gathering accurate information, the challenges of interpreting it, and how thoughtful analytics can guide program decisions and ultimately drive stronger partner results.

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Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

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In this episode of Changing Channels, Larry Walsh speaks with Nina Harding, Corporate Vice President of Americas Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the channel landscape. From internal adoption of Copilot—Microsoft’s flagship AI tool—to the rise of AI-native partners, Harding shares how Microsoft is enabling its vast ecosystem to innovate faster, streamline operations, and deliver meaningful customer outcomes. Together, Harding and Walsh explore the growing importance of data readiness, partner-to-partner collaboration, and preserving the human element in AI-driven transformation—offering valuable insights for anyone navigating the evolving channel model.

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Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

Follow @Channelnomics to stay current on the latest #research, #bestpractices, and #resources. At @Channelnomics — the voice of thought leadership — we define #channel trends, chart new #GTM strategies, and #partner with industry leaders to champion #diversity in the channel. 

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In this episode of Changing Channels, Larry Walsh speaks with Tom Evans, Chief Partner Officer at Cloudflare, about how fostering an open, fun, and collaborative culture translates directly into partner success. Evans shares insights from his first year at Cloudflare, where he’s reshaping the company's channel strategy to accelerate growth and increase partner contribution. Learn how Evans cultivates an environment that balances high expectations with genuine enjoyment, promotes diversity of thought, and creates a sense of belonging, even in remote settings. It’s a refreshing look at how channel leaders can build strong, productive teams by making sure that work feels less like a job and more like a community.

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About Tom Evans

Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

Follow @Channelnomics to stay current on the latest #research, #bestpractices, and #resources. At @Channelnomics — the voice of thought leadership — we define #channel trends, chart new #GTM strategies, and #partner with industry leaders to champion #diversity in the channel. 

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In this episode of Changing Channels, Larry Walsh sits down with Chris Bell, Senior Vice President of Global Channels, Alliances, and Business Development at Sophos, for an inside look at MSP Elevate—the company’s bold new program designed to reward committed partners with richer margins, exclusive capabilities, and unmatched growth potential. Bell shares how Elevate goes beyond the existing MSP Flex model by offering architect-level training, performance-based rebates, and early access to new offerings—all while simplifying the path to profitability. It’s a compelling playbook for how vendors can win partner loyalty and stand out in today’s competitive cybersecurity market.

Analyst Note - Sophos Elevates MSP Engagement With New Program: https://www.channelnomics.com/insights/sophos-elevates-msp-engagement-with-new-program

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Changing Channels is a production of Channelnomics, a brand of 2112 Enterprises LLC

Follow @Channelnomics to stay current on the latest #research, #bestpractices, and #resources. At @Channelnomics — the voice of thought leadership — we define #channel trends, chart new #GTM strategies, and #partner with industry leaders to champion #diversity in the channel. 

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