Comments on: Autotask Extends Offer to Microsoft Partners http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/ Managed Services & Cloud Services Blog for VARs & MSPs Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:25:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-48623 Joe Panettieri Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:12:25 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-48623 Ben: Greetings from a fellow Mac OS X user. For the record, the visitors to MSPmentor are very diverse in their browser us. Here's what our visitors from the past 30 days were running: Internet Explorer: 53.93% Firefox: 32.33% Google Chrome: 6.06% Safari: 6.0% Opera: 0.92% I think it's safe to assume that the vast majority of our readers are MSPs, VARs and MSP software providers. With that in mind, the days of just supporting Internet Explorer appear stronger. Ben: Greetings from a fellow Mac OS X user. For the record, the visitors to MSPmentor are very diverse in their browser us. Here’s what our visitors from the past 30 days were running:

Internet Explorer: 53.93%
Firefox: 32.33%
Google Chrome: 6.06%
Safari: 6.0%
Opera: 0.92%

I think it’s safe to assume that the vast majority of our readers are MSPs, VARs and MSP software providers. With that in mind, the days of just supporting Internet Explorer appear stronger.

]]> By: Ben Heitman http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-48619 Ben Heitman Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:53:47 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-48619 Bob, while I agree that cross-browser/platform compatibility might not the top priority of its user base, taking your polling sample from a group of people who are mostly already running Autotask successfully via IE is going to return skewed results. I'm using a hackneyed approach on my MacBook by running IE6 (*shudder) through Codeweaver's Crossover emulation software. Either way, I appreciate the info and I eagerly await a more native solution for running Autotask on OSX. Regards. Bob, while I agree that cross-browser/platform compatibility might not the top priority of its user base, taking your polling sample from a group of people who are mostly already running Autotask successfully via IE is going to return skewed results.

I’m using a hackneyed approach on my MacBook by running IE6 (*shudder) through Codeweaver’s Crossover emulation software.

Either way, I appreciate the info and I eagerly await a more native solution for running Autotask on OSX.

Regards.

]]> By: Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-12993 Joe Panettieri Tue, 27 May 2008 17:23:37 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-12993 Bob: Thanks for clarifying the present and future of Autotask. Autotask's community reminds me quite a bit of open source communities. Although community participants don't "write" the Autotask code, I hear again and again how community feedback influences the direction of the code and the platform. Bob: Thanks for clarifying the present and future of Autotask.

Autotask’s community reminds me quite a bit of open source communities. Although community participants don’t “write” the Autotask code, I hear again and again how community feedback influences the direction of the code and the platform.

]]> By: Bob Vogel http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-12988 Bob Vogel Tue, 27 May 2008 17:08:07 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-12988 When we first built Autotask at the beginning of this decade as one of the very first commercially-available SaaS applications of any kind, IE was in use by 98% of our targeted market of IT service providers. We make extensive use of ActiveX controls for advanced features, which is the primary cause of incompatibility with some of the newer browsers. Having said that, we have zero incentives from Microsoft or anyone else to exclude other browser types, and in fact we are actively working to support multiple browser types in anything new we develop moving forward. Today our Autotask LiveMobile(tm) option, built on a separate platform, supports a wide array of browsers used by most handheld devices. And, we will shortly be introducing an upgraded Client Access portal that also supports multiple browsers -- so that YOUR customers can use whatever browsers THEY have to access your Autotask sytem to submit tickets and monitor the status of them, access your knowledgebase, collaborate on projects, review invoices and more. As we continue to update Autotask, we are making the necessary modifications to the platform to allow us to fully support all browsers. But this is a longer-term initiative -- perhaps a year or two out before we complete the project. Lastly, I would like to point out that we have a vibrant online community built right into our application with a majority of our nearly 20,000 users actively participating. They let us know that multiple browser support is highly desired. But they also let us know that it was FAR from the top of the list of things they wanted us to work on -- especially understanding that would also mean slowing down our development effort of more important functions in order to QA everything we do on each additional browser we support. When we first built Autotask at the beginning of this decade as one of the very first commercially-available SaaS applications of any kind, IE was in use by 98% of our targeted market of IT service providers. We make extensive use of ActiveX controls for advanced features, which is the primary cause of incompatibility with some of the newer browsers.

Having said that, we have zero incentives from Microsoft or anyone else to exclude other browser types, and in fact we are actively working to support multiple browser types in anything new we develop moving forward.

Today our Autotask LiveMobile(tm) option, built on a separate platform, supports a wide array of browsers used by most handheld devices. And, we will shortly be introducing an upgraded Client Access portal that also supports multiple browsers — so that YOUR customers can use whatever browsers THEY have to access your Autotask sytem to submit tickets and monitor the status of them, access your knowledgebase, collaborate on projects, review invoices and more.

As we continue to update Autotask, we are making the necessary modifications to the platform to allow us to fully support all browsers. But this is a longer-term initiative — perhaps a year or two out before we complete the project.

Lastly, I would like to point out that we have a vibrant online community built right into our application with a majority of our nearly 20,000 users actively participating. They let us know that multiple browser support is highly desired. But they also let us know that it was FAR from the top of the list of things they wanted us to work on — especially understanding that would also mean slowing down our development effort of more important functions in order to QA everything we do on each additional browser we support.

]]> By: Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-11909 Joe Panettieri Thu, 22 May 2008 14:40:14 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-11909 Fingers crossed, I hope the MSP industry evolves far beyond the old platform war debates (Microsoft vs. Firefox, etc.). Companies like Apple got back in the IT game because they mixed proprietary innovation with open standards (Ethernet, IP, USB). I hope MSPs and platform providers follow a similar strategy. MSPs can better manage their customers' networks because of open broadband standards, both on the hardware and software front. Let's keep the pipes open and standards-based. Then, innovate by pumping great software through those pipes. Fingers crossed, I hope the MSP industry evolves far beyond the old platform war debates (Microsoft vs. Firefox, etc.).

Companies like Apple got back in the IT game because they mixed proprietary innovation with open standards (Ethernet, IP, USB). I hope MSPs and platform providers follow a similar strategy.

MSPs can better manage their customers’ networks because of open broadband standards, both on the hardware and software front. Let’s keep the pipes open and standards-based. Then, innovate by pumping great software through those pipes.

]]> By: Lane Smith http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-11905 Lane Smith Thu, 22 May 2008 13:28:28 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-11905 I have to agree with Amy. If Autotask not working on Firefox was the only reason for your decisiion to no use the product, then I would suggest you take a step back and determine what you are trying to accomplish with your company. Are you trying to grow your business or are you just looking for another tool to play with? Managed services is much more about business and process than it is about what tools you are using. I have to agree with Amy. If Autotask not working on Firefox was the only reason for your decisiion to no use the product, then I would suggest you take a step back and determine what you are trying to accomplish with your company. Are you trying to grow your business or are you just looking for another tool to play with? Managed services is much more about business and process than it is about what tools you are using.

]]> By: Amy Luby http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-11791 Amy Luby Thu, 22 May 2008 02:56:40 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-11791 Actually, Autotask does have plans to work with Firefox and it is definitely on their road map. But, I think you miss the point of SaaS, automation, and internal efficiency. The key to delivering profitable managed services is efficiency. If using IE with a SaaS application is the ONLY thing holding you back from reaping the benefits of a best in class PSA tool, then you might want to rethink your strategy in developing your managed services business model. My last two blogs at mspsn.com expand on the issue that most new MSPs have with tools. SaaS is definitely a big part of our future and the ability to assess our own business model and determine how SaaS will fit in is going to be critical to our success as MSPs. The more efficiency we can drive to our model, the more profitable we will be. Shocker. The tool doesn’t make you an MSP. :>) You’re use of the tool and your execution on a profitable business model makes you an MSP. ~Amy Luby, MSPSN Actually, Autotask does have plans to work with Firefox and it is definitely on their road map. But, I think you miss the point of SaaS, automation, and internal efficiency. The key to delivering profitable managed services is efficiency. If using IE with a SaaS application is the ONLY thing holding you back from reaping the benefits of a best in class PSA tool, then you might want to rethink your strategy in developing your managed services business model.

My last two blogs at mspsn.com expand on the issue that most new MSPs have with tools. SaaS is definitely a big part of our future and the ability to assess our own business model and determine how SaaS will fit in is going to be critical to our success as MSPs. The more efficiency we can drive to our model, the more profitable we will be.

Shocker. The tool doesn’t make you an MSP. :>) You’re use of the tool and your execution on a profitable business model makes you an MSP. ~Amy Luby, MSPSN

]]> By: Todd http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-11745 Todd Wed, 21 May 2008 22:34:43 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-11745 Shocker. Autotask ONLY runs in IE and has no plans to support anyone else (according to the last sales rep I spoke to). Autotask either loves alienating customers who dont run MS products or they are getting a little incentive... That kind of attitude was the dealbreker for us. Shocker. Autotask ONLY runs in IE and has no plans to support anyone else (according to the last sales rep I spoke to). Autotask either loves alienating customers who dont run MS products or they are getting a little incentive… That kind of attitude was the dealbreker for us.

]]> By: Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-11678 Joe Panettieri Wed, 21 May 2008 19:11:46 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-11678 Gregory: Thanks for the great thoughts. I think there's room for a little Web 2.0 in every organization. Banks, for instance, may prefer to keep customer information internal and protected in order to comply with regulations, but Wikis and blogs are a great way for financial services firms to introduce new offers and share customer-facing information. As a new media company, we've bet our business on Web 2.0. But we realize Web 2.0 does NOT fully replace traditional client-server and on-site server systems. My first editor once told me that "old software never dies." I agree. Businesses will be living with Unix- and legacy apps for decades to come. But we're proud here at MSPmentor to be Web 2.0-centric, with a heavy emphasis on open source. Gregory: Thanks for the great thoughts. I think there’s room for a little Web 2.0 in every organization. Banks, for instance, may prefer to keep customer information internal and protected in order to comply with regulations, but Wikis and blogs are a great way for financial services firms to introduce new offers and share customer-facing information.

As a new media company, we’ve bet our business on Web 2.0. But we realize Web 2.0 does NOT fully replace traditional client-server and on-site server systems.

My first editor once told me that “old software never dies.” I agree. Businesses will be living with Unix- and legacy apps for decades to come.

But we’re proud here at MSPmentor to be Web 2.0-centric, with a heavy emphasis on open source.

]]> By: Gregory Lemmon http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/comment-page-1/#comment-11673 Gregory Lemmon Wed, 21 May 2008 18:57:09 +0000 http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/21/autotask-extends-offer-to-microsoft-partners/#comment-11673 I believe that as the MSP space continues to mature you will undoubtedly see more M&A's taking place. Particularly between MSPs with differing core offerings. I am not entirely convinced about the move to Web 2.0 though, because organisations still want to know that they have final and ultimate control over their and their customers' data, that is regardless of whether the organisations are IT service providors or not. With the raft of regulations concerning handling of customers information Web 2.0 while being a major part of the overall IT landscape, will reach crital mass shortly. One of the questions that needs to be answered in defence of Web 2.0 is who do you trust to host and in turn provide access to your data (facebook, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, etc.)? Autotask's and N-able's decision to reach out to this particular group of partners is a very positive and as you rightly point out a wise one. My thoughts. Gregory I believe that as the MSP space continues to mature you will undoubtedly see more M&A’s taking place. Particularly between MSPs with differing core offerings.

I am not entirely convinced about the move to Web 2.0 though, because organisations still want to know that they have final and ultimate control over their and their customers’ data, that is regardless of whether the organisations are IT service providors or not. With the raft of regulations concerning handling of customers information Web 2.0 while being a major part of the overall IT landscape, will reach crital mass shortly. One of the questions that needs to be answered in defence of Web 2.0 is who do you trust to host and in turn provide access to your data (facebook, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, etc.)?

Autotask’s and N-able’s decision to reach out to this particular group of partners is a very positive and as you rightly point out a wise one.

My thoughts.
Gregory

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