MSPmentor

DirectPointe, the top managed service provider in our 2007-2008 MSPmentor 100 report, apparently has spun off a new company called CentralPointe. The start-up intends to blend open source and cloud computing to make IT more affordable and easier to manage. An official announcement about CentralPointe is expected the week of December 1, but here are some early details.

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If you’re seeking to polish your software as a service (SaaS) strategy, check out this intriguing blog post from the Instigator Blog. Author Ben Yoskovitz predicts SaaS companies will be in “a whackload of trouble.” That sounds a bit dramatic to me, but Yoskovitz does offer some great tips to help you formulate and improve your SaaS strategy.

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Whether you’re an established or aspiring managed service provider, MSPmentor’s free Resource Center contains more than 70 case studies, customer profiles and how-to guides for managed services. Within the Resource Center (registration required) you’ll also find:

• The MSPmentor 100 report (2007-2008 edition), highlighting the world’s most successful managed service providers
• The MSPmentor 250 report (2007-2008 edition), describing the top executives, entrepreneurs and experts in the managed services industry

Full disclosure: Many of the case studies were submitted by MSPmentor’s sponsors. Within the Resource Center, we clearly indicate the source of all content.

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Software companies and MSPs are erasing the line between managed services and cloud computing. In fact, I don’t think there ever was a line between the two specialties.

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We’ve written a bit about Nimsoft’s success disrupting Hewlett-Packard’s traditional OpenView business. Now comes word that HP’s network management team also faces major pricing challenges in a showdown with GroundWork Open Source. You’ll find details about HP’s software and managed services headaches over on MSPmentor’s sister site, The VAR Guy.

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Erick Simpson (pictured), CIO of MSP University, blogged a bit about a rather interesting sales lead strategy known as the Extreme Office Makeover. I’ve been hearing more and more about that sales lead strategy in recent months — and it seems to be working in cities across the United States. For specific details check out Erick’s blog.

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Here are some media headlines I’ve come across recently:

• “Markets Plummet”
• “Enough Already!”
• and my personal favorite, “Ouch!”

Given all the bad economic news, you would think that managed service providers are cowering in a corner these days.  While there is certainly lots of economic pain to go around, I’ve had discussions over the last few weeks with MSPs who are paradoxically optimistic about the future of their business in this difficult economic climate.  So what’s behind all this optimism?  Here are a few of my gleaned insights from those in the trenches:

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As layoffs began across the IT industry, a few people within the managed services industry have asked me to “endorse” them on LinkedIn, the career-oriented social network.

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A recent survey by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) of hundreds of professionals reveals work station drainage poses a prevalent power consumption dilemma. Every day, workstations consume power for hours on end, devouring millions of dollars worth of energy. In addition, survey respondents report that 69% of them use more than one workstation and 24% stated that they keep their stations powered on around the clock. For every 10,000 workstations, more than $1.26 million in energy costs is wasted each year. 

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I was introduced to B2Bcfo.com’s Keith Simmons (pictured) by my CPA. I don’t often get together for a cup of coffee with a stranger, but because my accountant is someone I really trust, I decided to do it. We had no particular agenda except to see if there might be some common interests, and indeed there were. Keith is a partner in a fascinating business that helps small firms have access to expert chief financial officers on a temporary basis. His focus is Long Island and the New York metro area, but his company has partners nationwide.

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If you’re a manged service provider —of any size, in any country — you could earn free publicity across the managed services industry. 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.

Deadline for submissions is December 12. But don’t delay: Fill out the survey now. Here’s why.

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.

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Welcome to the MSPmentor Career Center, a free service to help talent thrive in the managed services industry. Here’s how to get started:

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Software as a service (SaaS) stocks remain on a losing streak. MSPmentor’s SaaS 20 stock index fell 11.86 percent for the week ended November 21. The index has fallen more than 55 percent since January 2008 — proving that SaaS companies are not immune to the economic turmoil around us.

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Dell Managed Services, working closely with IBM, has won a massive managed services deal with the State of Georgia. Check out www.theVARguy.com (MSPmentor’s sister site) for exclusive details, and some perspective on Dell’s position in the managed services market.

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During these uncertain economic times, MSPmentor wants to help readers find fantastic careers in the managed services market.

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MSPmentor’s sister site — The VAR Guy — reveals what’s next in the IT channel. Here’s a look at the top nine headlines on The VAR Guy’s blog this week.

1. Red Hat Finds 250 Ways to Push Beyond Linux
2. Ubuntu Server Edition: Canonical’s Big Challenge
3. ADTRAN to Network VARs: Hardware Profit Margins Await You
4. The Land of Free WiFi: Huntsville, Alabama
5. Dell’s Linux Ads: Microsoft’s Nightmare Before Christmas?
6. CA World 2008: Not the Same Old Computer Associates
7. Lenovo, Synnex Launch ThinkServer Guarantee for VARs
8. Microsoft’s Small Business Server 2008: A Surprise Twist
9. Novell Attacks Red Hat with Linux Migration Offer
10. Sorry, this is a top nine list. Get to know The VAR Guy and you’ll realize he doesn’t play by the rules.

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There is a new wave of technology that is washing over the SMB IT world. A fundamental shift is taking place from device-based to network-based architectures, facilitated by widely adopted new standards.  The MSPs that embrace and manage these more complex IT environments will emerge the winners as managed services moves solidly into this next stage – MSP 2.0.

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As a blogger who watches the software as a service (SaaS) and cloud markets, I find it nearly impossible to keep track of the SaaS brands and subscription services Microsoft continually launches, kills or repositions.

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Cisco Systems is starting to pull back the curtain on a broader, more aggressive managed services strategy — with an emphasis on empowered branch offices. The company made several MSP-oriented announcements yesterday and hosted a virtual trade show to brief customers. But that’s just the start.

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ADTRAN Inc., which specializes in Ethernet and VoIP hardware, has quietly partnered with Level Platforms and N-able in the managed services market. Here are some quick details.

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Distributors continue to jump on the Microsoft Software as a Service (SaaS) bandwagon. The latest example: Avnet Technology Solutions has launched OneTech Hosted SharePoint services for VARs and solutions providers.

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Autotask today is expected to announce upgrades to Autotask Pro and Autotask Go!, the company’s family of professional services automation (PSA) Software.

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Microsoft says Exchange Online and SharePoint Online are now ready for deployment, with 100 new partners and managed service providers signing up to offer the hosted systems ever week.

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