(NOTE: This story was originally posted to CRN.com Dec. 22.)

Coming Together, And Its Impact On The Channel

As the curtain rose on 2016, the process of bringing Dell and EMC together to form a $74 billion IT industry behemoth was well underway, and partners were eager to learn about the opportunities the deal would bring.

As the year progressed, partners that worked with one vendor but not the other were encouraged to begin working with both, and the excitement began to build. Aggressive Dell partners were able to notch significant sales with EMC product lines, putting themselves and their bottom lines in a very favorable position.

Chairman and CEO Michael Dell assembled a leadership team for the new company that plays to the strengths of the global IT powerhouse, placing experienced senior executives in positions that provide continuity as the merged company begins its new life.

Channel partners met most of the changes with enthusiasm and optimism, but were also anxious about the details of the new unified channel program being built by Channel Chief John Byrne. Next year promises to be as eventful and exciting as the last. Click through to see the 10 biggest Dell EMC stories of 2016.