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Nimsoft Reaches Out to Cisco Partners
Posted March 11th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Most MSP software providers spend considerable time recruiting Microsoft channel partners. Nimsoft, however, is reaching out to Cisco Systems’ partners. And so far, the effort seems to be working.
Open Source vs. Closed Source: The Managed Services Debate
Posted March 10th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Windows vs. Linux. Oracle vs. MySQL. Now, the closed source vs. open source debate is moving into the managed services market — where a growing list of open source options are permiating the industry. But are we all asking the right questions amid the latest open- vs. closed-source debate? Or are we blinded by emotion?
Would You Guarantee Your Managed Services Price — for a Lifetime?
Posted March 10th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The recession is triggering some rather wild IT service strategies. Consider the situation at Cincinnati Bell. The service provider has launched a “Price for Life” program that gives customers a permanent monthly rate for several bundled services. Plus, there’s no contract requirement. It sounds to me like an act of desperation by a telcommunications company trying to retain residential customers. But I wonder: Would managed service providers be crazy enough to make similar guarantees?
SunGard Managed Services Launches Financial Incentives
Posted March 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
SunGard Availability Services briefed me a few weeks ago about its overall managed services strategy. Since that time, SunGard has announced a flurry of managed services activity — including discounts worth up to $15,000. To me, it sounds like SunGard is striving to get “wait-and-see” customers off the fence and into managed services. Here are some of the details.
Why Some MSPs Are About to Lose Customers
Posted March 9th, 2009 by Mitch York
Barry, one of my coaching clients, is a financial advisor in California. He recently told me a story about a certified public accountant (CPA) who fails to connect emotionally with her clients. Stick with me, because the story definitely has implications for managed service providers (MSPs) that are striving to retain customers.
FusionStorm Expands Coast to Coast Managed Services
Posted March 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
FusionStorm, a well-known managed service provider, is expanding its business operations in New York and California. The company, which recently landed on the MSPmentor 100, also is taking a step rival MSPs should emulate — opening a larger demo center to attract and retain customers.
Managed Services In Healthcare: Just What the Doctor Ordered
Posted March 6th, 2009 by Maurice Saluan
Last month, I offered you four keys to ongoing managed services success — regardless of the economy. With those previous thoughts in mind, let’s look at new client acquisition in healthcare — which is a ripe opportunity for managed service providers. I’ll even show you how to find leads for healthcare companies that are 10-99 employees in a 50-100 mile radius around your office.
HP Insight Remote Support Targets Managed Service Providers
Posted March 6th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Hewlett-Packard is emerging from its famed R&D garage and joining the managed services party. The hardware giant has announced some new SMB initiatives for solutions providers. Buried within the release was news about HP’s Insight Remote Support tools for MSPs. HP also partnered with USA.NET to offer hosted Microsoft applications to VARs. Here’s MSPmentor’s perspective.
Zayo Group Attracts Managed Services Investment Dollars
Posted March 5th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Despite the recession, some managed service providers continue to attract investment dollars. One example: Zayo Group, which specializes in fiber-based network services and managed services, says it has raised $128 million in Series B funding. Here’s a bit more about the company’s financial performance, along with some tips on how you can track where IT investment dollars are flowing.
AT&T Pushes Deeper Into Managed Services
Posted March 5th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Generally speaking, the only time I think about AT&T is when I’m paying my iPhone cellular service bill. But I’m keeping a close eye on the company’s new AT&T Remote Infrastructure Management service — which represents a massive managed services initiative. I’m not suggesting big telecommunications companies can push aside smaller VARs and MSPs, but AT&T’s managed services have four components worth noting.
Managed Services: The Best Are Getting Better
Posted March 4th, 2009 by Jim Hamilton
Despite the falling economy, business is looking up for top managed service providers. Indeed, top MSPs are generating better margins and more revenue per customer than ever according to the latest MSP Partners/Institute for Partner Education and Development (IPED) research into the state of the managed services market. Check out these highlights.
ConnectWise TV: The ESPN of IT?
Posted March 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini remains colorful and outspoken. And soon Bellini will be able to prove it — each time he appears on his own IP-based television network. ConnectWise is building a broadcast studio and within a month or so plans to launch ConnectWise TV — which Bellini affectionately calls “the ESPN of IT.” Here’s the scoop.
How to Structure Your Managed Services Offering
Posted March 3rd, 2009 by Paul Barnett
Our VirtualAdministrator partners often ask us how to package and price their managed services offerings. Structuring your offering correctly can be vital to the success of your business. If you charge too much, you risk scaring customers away — charge too little, and you cheat yourself. Too many plan options confuse customers, while too few limits your market. A great method to use is a tiered offering. The Silver, Gold, and Platinum approach as we call it. Here’s how to get started.
Where Are the Innovators When You Need Them?
Posted March 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Yesterday, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped below 7,000, I took a deep breath and wondered “is America caught in an endless downward economic spiral?” It was a dark thought. And a brief thought. And you’ll never believe what lifted my spirits.
The Smartest Investment MSPs Can Make In 2009
Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I admit it: I still read Money magazine and Smart Money because I like the basic investment advice they offer (or perhaps I enjoy reading about everyone’s shared pain). Even as the stock market continues to decline, I’m not ready to completely quit on Wall Street. Still, I’m starting to realize there’s a far smarter place for a small business owner like me to invest my money.
Microsoft’s Hosted Applications Going Global
Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Suite — which features Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Microsoft Office Live Meeting — will push into 18 new countries on April 1, according to CNet. The move comes as many of North America’s managed services giants — from Ingram Micro Seismic to The Planet — formulate their global hosting and software as a service (SaaS) strategies. Here’s what to expect.
Box.net Shared Storage Meets Managed Services
Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Question: How can small and midsize businesses — such as accounting firms, legal firms and architectural companies — easily but securely share files with selected clientele? One potential answer is Box.net, a simple content management and storage service. Eager adopters include Network Depot, a managed service provider in Reston, Va. Here are some details.
Meet MSPmentor (On the Road)
Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor Editorial Director Joe Panettieri is going back on the road, hunting for news and recording podcasts and videocasts. If you plan to attend Autotask Community Live (March 29-31, Nashville, Tenn.) or Ingram Micro VentureTech Network (VTN) Spring (April 1-4, Orlando), Joe will be scheduling numerous meetings with managed service providers and VARs. You can reach Joe via email (joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc.com).
