We've discussed the many ways of accessing Channelweb's content, as well as some of the functionality in this new community. A third key Channelweb component consists of our collection of tools aimed at helping solution providers actually conduct business on a day-to-day basis.

Company Research

When looking for channel companies (solution providers or vendors), start with our VAR 500 list; our vendor Partner Program Guide; our Emerging Vendors directory; and our Fast Growth VARs databank. They provide the quickest access to the most dynamic companies in the channel.

Business Tools

Built in cooperation with Channelweb partners, these five tools aim to help you construct quotes, reduce costs, enhance your marketing efforts, and more:

Product Pricing and Availability: Live data from distributors and e-tailers enabling you to locate products at the best price.

Promofinder: Special offers from manufacturers and distrbutors specifically for solution providers.

Solution Provider Locator: Access our database of thousands of solution provider locations and specialties.

Lead Generator: Send your message to a targeted solution provider audience.

PR Toolkit: Craft your company identity and get your message to the widest audience.

Products and Technologies

Research new technologies through documents direct from vendors in our white paper library and vendor content community.

Everything Channel Services

Finally, Everything Channel, our parent company, provides numerous additional services, including Field Sales and Marketing and Partner Marketing Services, and the Partner Education & Development research and channel training organization.

First-time visitors to Channelweb can find themselves at sea with some of the terms we throw around. Here's a quick guide:

What is the Channel?

When we talk about the channel, it is that great ecosystem of people selling technology solutions and services. These organizations range from single-person consultancies and storefront computer shops, to global organizations like Accenture and CSC, and even the services businesses of IT manufacturers like IBM and HP. While other channels exist -- manufacturing, chemicals, and automotive, for instance, also embrace thousands of vendors, distributors, integrators, and customers -- we're talking about the technology channel.

As this post noted, in 2007 we estimated that the North American technology channel consisted of as many as a quarter-million solution provider organizations, generating $370 billion in annual sales.

Although independent businesses were selling technology products decades earlier, the modern channel began with the personal computer revolution in the early 1980's, In 2000, CRN published this timeline of some of the important events in the early years of the channel.

What does CRN stand for?

CRN was launched as Computer Reseller News, focused on that hot segment of the channel involved with purchasing hardware from manufacturers and distributors, and, wait for it... reselling those items to end-user organizations and customers. Times have changed, and reselling is less central to most channel companies, and our coverge has broadened to take in consultants, integrators, independent software developers, all of whom we usually group together with the term technology solution providers. In 2000, the tabloid newspaper Computer Reseller News was reborn as the magazine CRN.

What's a VAR?

Why, a value-added-reseller, of course! Value-add is still the core mission for most solution providers, but reselling, not so much. In an earier post, I went into greater detail on what VARs do, and I quoted Bob Venero, Founder of Future Tech Enterprises, on what makes a true VAR:

"A true VAR is architecting solutions—-not just selling equipment. A true VAR walks into his customer with no particular agenda or intent to sell the latest and greatest gadgets and gizmos. A true VAR sits and listens to the customer's needs, and then leverages technology to create solutions."

Keep an eye here for opportunities to be included in Channelweb's 2009 directories, rankings and awards programs. Specific details on deadlines and entry requirements will be available as each project opens for nominations. Check back regularly for updates and additional opportunities.

UPDATE: See our 2010 List now!

These reports are closed for 2009 but will be coming back again before you know it!

Tech Innovators : The best new products providing opportunities for solution providers.

Executive of the Year : Everything Channel's highest award for vendor executives.

Women In The Channel : Our annual guide to top women channel executives at solution providers, distributors and vendor companies.

Fast Growth 100 : Our directory of solution providers building fast-growing businesses.

Government Integrator Awards: Honoring excellence among vendors and solution providers serving the federal, state and local government, healthcare and education markets.

Emerging Tech Vendors : A directory for hardware and software vendors providing new opportunities for channel partners.

Partner Programs Guide : Our annual directory of hardware and software vendor programs, used by solution providers throughout the year to research potential partners.

Channel Chiefs : Our guide to the executives managing vendor programs.

VARBusiness 500 : The definitive list of the largest solution providers in North America, ranked by revenue.