MSPmentor

In September 2008, I predicted broadband providers eventually would offer netbooks (those low-cost sub-notebooks) for free with monthly broadband service contracts. We’re rapidly marching in that direction. Check out former PC Week Editor John Dodge’s post about $100 netbooks that are part of broadband packages.

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Ingram Micro Seismic, one of North America’s largest Master MSPs (managed service providers) is planning to expand its services to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The only question: When?

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This MSPmentor Live: Podcast wraps up our week-long look at the Master MSP (managed services provider) trend. Our guest is Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty. Our conversation covers the following six topics…

 

 Managed Services Podcast Featuring Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty [13:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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A few readers asked me if our MSPmentor and The VAR Guy podcasts are available on Apple’s iTunes. The answer is “absolutely yes.” They’re all published and bundled in a single iTunes area right here. If you ever lose the link, simply search “thevarguy” on iTunes to find our podcasts again.

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Whether you’re transitioning into the managed services market or launching an MSP from scratch, I spotted some timely start-up guidance from Inc. magazine. The article highlights the need for “careful morale management.” But I think you need to take the example one step further and ask yourself: Can you really build a business doing everything by yourself?

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In today’s episode, MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby (pictured) describes her company’s position in the Master MSP market. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast also covers the following five key topics…

 

 Podcast: Master MSP Amy Luby, CEO of MSP Services Network (MSPSN) [9:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Managed print services. To me, those three words represent both “opportunity” and “confusion.” As I’ve mentioned multiple times, I’m shocked by the lack of standards, hit-and-miss education and poor communications in the managed print services market. But a fledgling conference and a new association hope to move the managed print industry forward.

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I’m confirmed to speak with MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby later today, and I’m chatting with Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty on Friday. Both conversations will be part of our ongoing Master MSP podcast series. Here’s a recap of the series so far.

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Quick, name a company in the managed services market that successfully competes against Google Apps, Salesforce.com and Microsoft — all at the same time. Before you answer, consider this name: AdventNet — which owns Zoho (SaaS applications) and ManageEngine (managed services software). Take a closer look, and you’ll discover Zoho and ManageEngine are cross-leveraging their technologies. Here’s how.

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In today’s episode, Do IT Smarter President Lane Smith describes his company’s position in the Master MSP market. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast covers the following four key topics:

1. An Overview: How Do IT Smarter got started
2. Beyond hosting: What else master MSPs offer
3. Do IT Smarter and the MSPAlliance
4. Next moves for Do IT Smarter, and aspiring MSPs

Check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center each week for a new podcast. But just for this week, check back daily for a new Master MSP-focused interview.

 

 Podcast: Master MSP Lane Smith From Do IT Smarter: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Long View Systems, an MSPmentor 100 company, is the latest managed service provider to push aggressively into the unified communications market. And I expect plenty of MSPs to follow Long View’s lead — especially as nimble UC start-ups like Unison Technologies counter entrenched giants like Cisco Systems and Microsoft.

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I spent Tuesday evening in New York City at a blogger conference, the Mashable NextUp NYC event. Guest speakers included representatives from major media companies and Web 2.0-crazed college students and recent college graduates. I bet many of those “kids” — armed with their Web 2.0 communication skills — could propel the managed services industry forward. But the Web 2.0 workforce also comes with some limitations.

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The buzz about Master MSPs continues to grow louder. But it’s unfair to lump all Master Managed Service Providers into a single bucket. Each Master MSP offers a slightly different mix of hosted services, training and support to peer VARs and aspiring MSPs. In order to shed more light on the Master MSP trend…

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In today’s episode — part of our special Master MSP coverage this week — Virtual Administrator’s Chris Amori describes how his company is hosting Kaseya services for VARs and aspiring managed service providers. Plus, he describes Virtual Administrator’s next moves.

 

 Podcast: Master MSP Chris Amori From Virtual Administrator [7:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Gateway, the PC industry veteran owned by Acer, has re-launched as a channel-only brand in Europe and is planning a managed services initiative for its channel partners.

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In recent weeks, I’ve been promoting the concept of hybrid services — where part of a solution remains on-premise and another portion is hosted in a cloud. But Doyenz is putting a slightly different spin on the situation. The Seattle-based start-up, which appears to have a quiet relationship with Kaseya, wants to shift virtualized Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) and other Microsoft applications into the clouds. Here’s how.

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As businesses like The Utility Company continue to promote managed services franchises, I noticed these eight tips to franchise success from Entrepreneur.com. The article, written for all types of business owners (not just MSPs), helps you to determine if you’d thrive within the franchise business model. Frankly, I’m not sure I’m franchise material. Here’s why.

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Why isn’t every VAR a successful managed service provider (MSP)? There are many paths to success, but aspiring MSPs also make many common mistakes that hinder their ability to become profitable. Interested in becoming a successful provider of managed services? Then read, learn, and avoid these common blunders.

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Through software as a service (SaaS), more and more MSP software providers profess to reach all corners of the globe. The latest example: N-able Technologies says its N-central 6.7 release is “now available worldwide.” I applaud the global expansion of managed services, but I also want to keep the SaaS momentum in perspective.

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You’re a managed service provider. You’re trying to maximize cash flow. You need to better understand vendor financing options. You’re curious about hardware as a service (HaaS) but want to minimize your own financial risks. MSPmentor and The VAR Guy are preparing a special multi-part content series to help MSPs and VARs navigate financial challenges. But we need your help…

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Pardon me for dragging a bit today. I have a slight case of writer’s block after producing the MSPmentor 100 report. So instead of sharing “new” managed services content here, I’m offering a top 10 list taken directly from the MSPmentor 100 report. Here are the top 10 financial trends/observations from the MSPmentor 100 report…

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Frankly, I’ve been surprised (shocked?) by the slow/bumpy transition to managed print services. Companies like Xerox seem to start — then stop — their MSP education efforts. There’s no continuity. There’s no call to action. But then I read about a Synnex/PrintSolv event to help resellers become managed print services experts. And I realized: Managed print services are an unavoidable destiny.

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An update from the managed services talent pool: Nancy Williams, a veteran of MSP Services Network (MSPSN), has joined SecureMyCompany as VP of community relations. Here’s a bit more on the move.

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