MSPmentor

Nimsoft CEO Gary Read says one of his biggest challenges right now is finding talent to fill key company positions. Read isn’t alone. Many other managed service platform providers and business automation specialists have expressed similar needs to me.

In Read’s blog he mentions the current open posts at Nimsoft:

Read More >

Although managed services coverage hasn’t quite pushed into the mainstream media, some business publications are starting to more effectively cover small business IT services.

Forbes, in particular, does a reasonably good job contrasting Dell’s remote management strategy to Hewlett-Packard’s buyout of Electronic Data Systems. The Forbes article, for instance, mentions the fact that SilverBack will be a key tool both for Dell as well as the PC giant’s integration partners.

Here’s a look at the Forbes piece on Dell’s small business strategy.

If you want to see how Microsoft and Google are competing in the software as a service (SaaS) market, head back to college. As I’ve written here a few times, Hofstra University, the University of Phoenix and several other large colleges have embraced Google Apps to manage student email, alumni email and collaboration. Now, Microsoft is taking steps to more actively promote its rival offering: Live@edu hosted applications.

Read More >

The Geek Squad is providing managed online backup services through a company called Data Deposit Box. Now, Data Deposit Box is seeking resellers to support its online backup services. Will any managed service providers take the bait?

Read More >

If you’re a managed service provider that’s seeking potential investor dollars — or if you simply want to promote your business momentum — perhaps you should steal a page from mindSHIFT Technologies. The MSP acquired a software as a service (SaaS) specialist in April, and is now stepping into the spotlight at Capital Connection 2008, a major investor conference this week in Baltimore, Md.

Capital Connection positions itself as “the region’s premier event that brings together the country’s most prominent investors with leading-edge technology companies.” The event hosts start-up, early stage, expansion-stage and later-stage private growth companies.

Look at the concise way that mindSHIFT describes its focus to event attendees, and you’ll find an MSP that really understands its niche.

Read More >

I’ve been especially critical of Hewlett-Packard in recent months, openly wondering how the company has so badly missed the managed services market in the US. But a new partnership in India may provide some clues abou where HP is heading in the MSP space.

A case in point: Netmagic Solutions, a managed IT service provider in India, has inked a partnership with HP to service midmarket customers in such markets as retail, healthcare, utilities, education and manufacturing, according to a release from Netmagic. In order to win over potentially skeptical customers in the US, Netmagic promotes the fact that its data centers are ISO 27001 and SAS 70 Audit (Type II) compliant.

Other MSPs should follow that lead. Here’s why.

Read More >

Want to ask successful managed service provider (MSP) CEOs your most pressing questions? Join us for MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange on June 12 and June 25. These fast-moving, interactive Webcasts start at 2pm eastern, and are designed like radio call-in shows, where we make sure our guests cover your top questions.

June 12, 2pm eastern, register now

Our discussion (”Lift Your MSP Revenue — Without Hiring More Staff”) will feature:

• Scott Goemmel, co-founder and partner at PMV Technologies (#15 on the MSPmentor 100)
• Nick Vossburg, CEO of TechAssist (#20 on the MSPmentor 100)
• Jim Alves, executive VP of marketing, Kaseya
• Joe Panettieri, editorial director, MSPmentor
• Register now for our June 12, 2pm eastern Webcast

June 25, 2pm eastern, register now

Our discussion (”Escape Commodity Pricing Through Business Automation”) will feature:

• Chad Massaker, CEO of Carceron Systems Group (#84 on the MSPmentor 100)
• Bob Godgart, CEO, Autotask
• Joe Panettieri, editorial director, MSPmentor
• A surprise guest: Stay tuned!
• Register now for our June 25, 2pm eastern Webcast

Don’t miss this refreshing approach to online discussions. Check the MSPmentor events calendar for more information about MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange as well as third-party industry events.

I’m a firm believer that managed service providers (MSPs) must offer “feet on the street” and face-to-face interaction with customers, otherwise you risk losing close, long-term relationships. Even if you offer software as a service (SaaS), you need to force yourself to visit customers regularly (once a month to once a quarter). That’s where the “software plus service” or “hybrid” business model comes into focus. Read More >