Alex Smith

Alex Smith leads Canalys’ channels research department. He manages a team of analysts and consultants responsible for a comprehensive portfolio of advisory services that look into the go-to-market strategies of technology vendors and the trends affecting the global IT channel ecosystem. This portfolio of research includes the Channels Analysis services, Partner Program Analysis, Candefero research products and consultation services designed to help vendors assess, benchmark and develop their channel strategies.

Since 2007, Alex has been following the major IT sectors, including PCs, enterprise software, networking infrastructure, security, servers and storage, assessing market trends and their effect on the IT channel community. He has been one of Canalys’ key client-facing analysts, developing several research programs, and has presented at multiple industry and customer events. He is also a regular speaker at the Canalys Channels Forums. In 2012, Alex relocated from the UK to Palo Alto, California to support local clients and further develop the channels research business.

Prior to joining Canalys in 2007, Alex obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, with a Finance Major, from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. The course focused on financial practices, including derivatives, statistical modeling and portfolio management. As part of his degree, Alex studied multiple business disciplines, including strategy, marketing, logistics and economics. Alex previously worked for an oil exploration company in Calgary, Canada as a Financial Analyst, where he supported internal business planning.