Comments on: LPI Level Platforms Introduces Managed Workplace 2009

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:09:41 +0000

Christine: Makes perfect sense… since customers are embracing a “monthly” approach to their IT service payments, it’s logical for MSPs to adopt a similar strategy as they seek remote management, monitoring, PSA and SaaS solutions. The days of lump-sum software purchases are limited.

By: Christine Callahan

Christine Callahan — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:47:07 +0000

As a Master MSP in the midrange marketplace, our experience at ServiceKey is that leveraging a hosted option of software or tools, is overwhelmingly perferred over the upfront expense and outlay of resources required in order to implement in-house. Particularly when the hosted solution is branded on behalf of the MSP or the MSP’s clients.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:58:39 +0000

Roger: I do see a shift toward more and more MSPs leveraging hosted software — either from MSP software companies themselves or from so-called Master MSPs that offer multiple tool options. I don’t have hard data to share (yet). But we will unveil some specific SaaS-oriented stats when the new MSPmentor 100 research debuts in February 2009.

By: Roger

Roger — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:04:18 +0000

I’d like to build on Frankie’s question and offer a slightly different inquiry. Is there a fundamental shift under way with MSPs moving from on premise to hosted/SAAS offerings?

By: Lane Smith

Lane Smith — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:51:45 +0000

Frankie,

Not to speak for Peter here but as we are a hosting partner I can answer some of your questions. LPI offers two models an on-premise solution as welll as a hosted (SaaS model). We, Do IT Smarter, along with several other companies offer the hosted model. With this model we host the main database and web server and provide you with a Virtual Service Center (management console) which gives you complete control of the product. Once you are provided with you login information you can then deploy the onsite manager at your customer locations.

LPI is not agent based, rather you install a single Onsite Manager at each customer and this handles the entire customer network. You can then manage all of your customers from within the Virtual Service Center.

For more information on the other hosting partners, you can go to http://www.levelplatforms.com/Hosted.

Lane Smith
Do IT Smarter

By: Frankie Says

Frankie Says — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:17:49 +0000

Peter,

I was impressed to see your reply to my inquiry. I hope you can answer one additional question. Since Level Platforms is offered as a subscription model is your software deployed on premise or do you mainly host it (SAAS approach) for your MSP partners?

If it’s available either/or (SAAS or on premise), which approach is most popular among your most recent customers? Thank you for your attention to my questions.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:45:14 +0000

Readers: Purely FYI, you can follow Lane Smith's Master MSP business at www.doitsmarter.com.

By: Lane Smith

Lane Smith — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:42:17 +0000

As a hosting partner I am excited about the Banner Advertising as it will give us another opportunity to communicate with our reseller channel. I will keep you updated on the benefits that we see as we deploy this feature.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:22:31 +0000

Peter: Thanks for clarifying things for our readers. Please keep us posted as R2 nears launch as well.

By: Peter Sandiford

Peter Sandiford — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:29:08 +0000

Frankie,

Level Platforms offers a subscription model with everything included for one price. Partners receive all software and upgrades, live support, full access to our extensive community partner portal, comprehensive live technical and business training and a dedicated senior Partner Development Manager to help them evolve their business based on the best practices of others and in line with their individual business objectives and strategies.

The reason we do this is because with a recurring revenue model the only way we can grow our revenues is if our partners grow their revenues, not by selling them add-ons that they discover they need as they learn the business. Our model is clearly a true partnership of shared goals and successes. This is very different from the traditional software vendor-customer relationship that is now thankfully in decline across the software industry.

So the short answer is yes – R2 will be free to all Partners.

Peter Sandiford
CEO Level Platforms