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N-able Partner Summit 2008: Eight Trends From Opening Keynote
Posted October 23rd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
During the opening session at N-able Partner Summit 2008, VP of Sales Mike Cullen and CEO Gavin Garbutt (pictured) described several key managed services trends and company milestones. Here’s a quick eight-point recap of this morning’s opening session.
CompTIA Launches Managed Services Thought Leadership Group
Posted October 23rd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, is launching a Managed Service Provider Thought Leadership Group. The group, spearheaded by CompTIA Vice President Robert Biddle (pictured), will seek to educate VARs that are marching toward a managed services business model.
N-able Partner Summit 2008: Three Trends Worth Watching
Posted October 23rd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
I’ve made the trip from CompTIA’s Managed Services Summit (Miami, Fla.) to the N-able Partner Summit 2008 (Dallas, Texas). As I consider the state of the managed services industry, here are three trends I expect to see and track at the N-able conference.
Can Autotask, ConnectWise Share Single Stage?
Posted October 23rd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
In a rare feat, N-able has convinced rival executives from Autotask, ConnectWise and Tigerpaw Software to share the stage at this week’s N-able Partner Summit in Dallas, Texas. It could be a defining moment for the managed services industry. Here’s why.
Using Managed Services to Navigate Tough, Troubled Times
Posted October 23rd, 2008 by Dan Shapero
Historical analysis of past economic downturns have shown that outsourcing services, including IT support and services, actually increase as companies are less likely to hire new staff or spend money to train existing staff in new products or initiatives.
PGP Corp. Launches Managed Service Provider Network (MSPN)
Posted October 22nd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Is encryption the next big opportunity for managed security service providers? PGP Corp. seems to think so. The company has launched the PGP Managed Service Provider Network (MSPN) to promote encryption solutions to mid-market and small businesses “through a new worldwide network of managed service providers and existing channel partners…”
Ingram Micro Seismic Shakes Hands With ConnectWise
Posted October 22nd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
When it comes to partnering in the managed services market, the Ingram Micro Seismic team doesn’t appear to be playing favorites. In addition to working closely with Autotask, Ingram is now reaching across the aisle to work with ConnectWise — one of Autotask’s top professional services automation (PSA) software rivals.
CompTIA Explores Managed Services Education
Posted October 22nd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
During CompTIA’s Managed Services Summit in Miami, Fla., the non-profit organization is listening closely to attendees and evaluating new programs to assist VARs with the transition to managed services.
Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie: Larger MSPs Outpacing Smaller MSPs?
Posted October 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
As he prepares for a quarterly company management meeting in Miami, Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie sees plenty of upside — and a few challenges — awaiting the managed services industry.
Microsoft: Launching Managed Services Software Platform?
Posted October 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Is Microsoft preparing a managed services platform for VARs? If an alleged email from Microsoft is legitimate, the answer is a very strong maybe.
Register Now: Managed Services Webcast
Posted October 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
The next MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange — a managed services webcast — is November 6, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Register now to hear how Gary Pica (general manager of mindSHIFT Technologies, a top managed service provider) and William MacLeod (CIO of Accu-Sort Systems, a top mindSHIFT customer) are strengthening their business relationship during these turbulent economic times.
Managed Services Acquisition: Datacore Buys Little Village IT Consulting
Posted October 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Datacore Consulting, a managed service provider in Cleveland, Ohio, has acquired Little Village IT Consulting of Stow, Ohio. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition allows Datacore to extend its footprint within the state of Ohio.
Networking VAR Offers Different Spin On Managed Services
Posted October 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Network Virtual Support, a solutions provider near Seattle, Wash., isn’t getting bogged down in technology jargon. Since most small businesses have never heard the term “managed services,” Network Virtual Support instead pitches “computer maintenance plans” to its customers.
MSPs Will Blur the Line Between SaaS and On-Premise IT
Posted October 20th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Jeff Kaplan did it again. In his latest Think IT Services blog entry, Kaplan describes the a hybrid software as a service (SaaS) model that blurs the line between on-premise and cloud-based services. If you’re skeptical of this trend, check out these examples involving managed service providers working with Symantec, Vembu, Amazon.com and Fonality.
Calling Top Managed Service Providers: Brag About Yourself
Posted October 20th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
If you’re a manged service provider — large or small — you could earn free publicity. Simply fill out our MSPmentor 100 survey. If your company lands on the resulting MSPmentor 100 list, your organization could be ranked among the world’s top managed service providers.
Many of last year’s MSPmentor 100 members earned free publicity across the web and in local media. And they used their ranking as a marketing tool when meeting with prospective customers. Participating in the survey is free and only requires a few minutes of your time.
Consonus, Major Managed Service Provider, Cancels IPO
Posted October 20th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Consonus Technologies Inc., a data center expert and managed service provider, has cancelled its initial public offering (IPO). The Cary, N.C.-based company originally filed to launch an IPO in May 2007, notes the Web Host Industry News.
Software as a Service Stocks Continue Losing Streak
Posted October 19th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor’s SaaS 20 Stock Index, which tracks the software as a service industry, has now fallen four consecutive weeks. The index dipped1.29 percent to 598.79 for the week ended October 17.
How to Get Acquired In A Bad Economy
Posted October 17th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
When I speak with managed service providers and VARs, the conversations often involve so-called “exit strategies.” How can an MSP get acquired? What are the secrets to attracting a buyer? I asked Gary Pica, general managed of mindSHIFT Technologies, those very questions this morning.
Meet MSPmentor At CompTIA Managed Services Summit
Posted October 17th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor team will attend CompTIA’s Managed Services Summit on October 21 and 22 in Miami. Later in the week, MSPmentor Editorial Director Jo Panettieri will head to Dallas for the N-able Partner Summit. If you’re attending the CompTIA or N-able events and want to meet (schedule permitting), send email to joe [at] ninelivesmediainc.com.
Symantec Launches Software as a Service Blog
Posted October 17th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Symantec’s software as a service (SaaS) team has launched a blog that caught my eye. It may be a timely read for some managed service providers. You can find the Symantec Protection Network (SPN) blog at http://blog.spn.com.
Symantec Launches Partner Program for SaaS
Posted October 16th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Talk about timing. Earlier today, I expressed concern that Symantec wasn’t really promoting its SaaS (software as a service) platform during a partner conference here in Washington, D.C. A few hours after my rant, Symantec launched a partner program for the Symantec Protection Network. Here are some of the details.
Can Symantec Bolster Its SaaS Strategy?
Posted October 16th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
During the opening session at Symantec Partner Engage in Washington, D.C., Chief Operating Officer Enrique Salem described several opportunities awaiting partners in the IT market.
Perimeter eSecurity Inks Managed Security Partnership
Posted October 16th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Even as portions of the financial services industry go down in flames, Perimeter eSecurity sees opportunity in the distressed market. The Milford, Conn.-based managed service provider, ranked No. 7 in last year’s MSPmentor 100, has launched a managed security service for specific financial services firms.
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