EqualLogic CEO staying on as Dell channel consultant

Don Bulens, the channel-friendly CEO of EqualLogic, is staying with Dell — for a little while.

Dell closed on its acquisition of EqualLogic last week, leaving Bulens’ role up in the air. But Dell kind of cleared things up during a media event today at EqualLogic headquarters in Nashua, N.H. SearchStorage.com’s Beth Pariseau was there, and she reports that Bulens will serve as a channel and customer-retention consultant. He’ll keep that role for at least three months, according to Brad Anderson, a Dell senior vice president and general manager.

Analysts at today’s event continued to question how Dell — which launched its first formal partner program in December — will balance the channel with its own history of direct sales. EqualLogic partners had enjoyed a healthy channel program and are especially concerned about Dell’s intentions. They hope to find out more tomorrow during a partners-only conference call with Dell execs.