The channel has perhaps never faced more turmoil and anxiety than it does today.

Partners realize they aren't simply being asked to adapt, they've got to utterly transform in order to keep pace with the quickening rise of the cloud and the erosion of traditional business models.

Monday, solution providers will flock to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Fla., eager for insights on how to build a business in an industry facing widespread change. You'll be able to keep up with all the best advice, and industry perspective on itbestofbreed.com.

The Best of Breed Conference comes as the pressure on the industry's traditional business models intensifies in the wake of far-reaching shake-ups at large vendors.

Most recently, Symantec said it would split into distinct security and storage companies, and HP said it would split into separate PC/printer and enterprise services businesses.

They're just the latest in a line of large vendors, including IBM, to break off business units, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Storage giant EMC is also now facing investor pressure to break up.

It all makes some solution providers very nervous.

"Splits make us a little nervous in general, and very nervous if not managed well by the vendor," said Allen Falcon, president and CEO of Boston-area cloud solutions firm Cumulus Global.

Falcon said HP has told partners they will remain partners with both its PC and enterprise entities. "We still have to deal with two vendors now, instead of one," Falcon told CRN by email. "And how long will it be until processes, relationships, etc. change?"

"Splits make it incrementally more difficult because you are adding a vendor to the mix, which requires more vendor management time," Falcon said. "It gives some flexibility as to choice, but at a price."

NEXT: Balance Sheet Pressure