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Contegix: Managed Services Built On Open Source
Posted April 10th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Generally speaking, the vast majority of managed service providers (MSPs) grew up as Microsoft VARs. But Contegix CEO Matthew Porter proves there’s more than one way to conquer the managed services and managed hosting markets. I spoke with Porter earlier April 9 to learn why open source technologies — such as Confluence, Hyperic, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Zimbra — play central roles in his company.
Kaseya, N-able Continue Australia Expansion
Posted April 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During two conversations this week, I heard and read reassuring statements about the Australian managed services market. While most managed services pundits see slowing growth in the North American market, anecdotal evidence suggests the Australian market is accelerating.
More MSPs March Toward SAS 70
Posted April 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
A quick observation: Larger, more successful managed service providers continue to embrace SAS 70 II (Statement of Auditing Standards No. 70), an American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) standard for auditing service organizations. The latest example involves FusionStorm, an MSPmentor 100 company that says it has completed SAS 70 Type II certification.
Zenith Infotech, Everon’s CEO Partner On Managed Services
Posted April 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Something is brewing between Everon Technology Services CEO Mike Cooch and Zenith Infotech. Everon is an MSPmentor 100 and Inc. 5000 company, and Cooch has been working on a range of business development projects in the managed services market. But what are Cooch and Zenith Infotech doing together? Here’s some preliminary information.
How to Re-brand Yourself
Posted April 8th, 2009 by Mitch York
Last week I spoke at a conference called Re-Branding You, sponsored by NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies and organized beautifully by P&V Enterprises and Events by Ny. The conference was aimed at people who are looking to change careers or positions as the economy shifts. There isn’t necessarily a managed services “hook” below. But there is a central lesson for all of us as we mull our career directions.
Verizon Business SLAs: Novell Provides the Secret Sauce
Posted April 7th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
When Novell acquired Managed Objects back in October 2008, I speculated that Novell would eventually promote the software to managed service providers. Fast forward to the present, and Verizon Business now uses Novell Managed Objects (rebranded as Business Service Management) to gather and share service level agreement (SLA) data with customers.
Webcast: Can You Profit From Google Apps?
Posted April 7th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
A friendly reminder: If you’re a solutions provider trying to understand how to profit from Google Apps and software as a service (SaaS), then please join me for The VAR Guy Live, a webcast scheduled for April 15 at 2:00pm eastern. During the webcast, one VAR will describe his work in the Google Apps Reseller program. And two solutions providers will describe how they profit from Amazon Web Services.
Windows 7: Managed Service Providers Weigh In
Posted April 7th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Windows 7 continues to generate mostly positive buzz among beta testers, but that doesn’t mean managed service providers (MSPs) expect to generate big profits from the forthcoming successor to Windows Vista. In fact, most MSPs see little revenue opportunity attached to Windows 7, according to our weekly MSPmentor reader poll.
Level Platforms: No Sign of Managed Services Slowdown
Posted April 7th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
While some pundits see slowing growth in the managed services market, Level Platforms CEO Peter Sandiford (photo, right) is not one of them. In an email to MSPmentor, Sandiford on April 6 said his company is “seeing continued growth in all markets and no delay in purchasing decisions.” Here’s what else Sandiford had to say.
Ingram Micro CEO: Seismic Managed Services Looking to Go Global
Posted April 7th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
First, Ingram Micro VP Justin Crotty said it in an MSPmentor podcast. Now, Ingram Micro CEO Greg Spierkel has said it: The distributor is looking for ways push Ingram Micro Seismic into international markets.
Recession Begins to Impact Managed Service Providers
Posted April 6th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Nimsoft CEO Gary Read (photo, right) sounds like a lot of the executives I’ve interviewed lately. Although Nimsoft is growing and remains cash flow positive, customers and managed service providers are delaying purchasing decisions amid the recession, Read told me today. Read’s statements coupled with anecdotes from across the MSP industry provide an important reality check.
SaaS Won’t Kill On-Premise Software – Take Two
Posted April 6th, 2009 by Lori Salow Marshall
When it comes to choosing SaaS (software as a service) or an on-premise solution, one size does not fit all. Indeed, enterprises and small businesses have different IT needs and considerations. As a managed service provider, here are some key issues you need to keep in mind as you formulate your own SaaS, cloud and on-premise solutions.
First Look: ConnectWise TV, Plus Competition With Autotask
Posted April 6th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Talk about going to extremes. MSPmentor started last week at the Autotask Community Live conference, and we ended the week touring ConnectWise, and participating in a ConnectWise TV segment recording. Publicly, Autotask and ConnectWise are fierce rivals and extreme opposites in the professional services automation (PSA) market. But privately, there are actually some similarities between the two companies. Skeptical? Read on.
VirtualAdministrator Expands Master MSP Suite
Posted April 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
VirtualAdministrator wants to be more than a one-trick pony. The master MSP, best known for hosting Kaseya software for peer VARs and MSPs, is launching a range of new hosted services and education services for MSPs. Here’s a quick look at the strategy.
How to Fail As An MSP, Part II (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
Posted April 2nd, 2009 by Peter Klanian
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. In our previous guest blog, we talked about four common errors MSPs make. Interested in becoming a successful provider of managed services? Here are four more common blunders you need to avoid.
Meet the Blended Channel: Ingram Micro VTN
Posted April 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I spent Wednesday afternoon at the Ingram Micro VTN (Venturetech Network) conference in Orlando. Roughly 350 of Ingram Micro’s top VARs and managed service providers are attending the event. Most of the attendees offer a blend of product and solutions expertise, coupled with hosted or managed services. Over the next few hours, we’ll post podcasts and vodcasts featuring Ingram Micro CEO Greg Spierkel and other team members, describing how VTN members are navigating the economy. We’ll be back at Ingram Micro VTN today (Thursday) before spending some time with ConnectWise Friday.
Ubuntu Linux Sneaks Into Managed Services Market
Posted April 1st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During the Autotask Community Live conference, Ubuntu Linux made a surprise appearance and a surprise encore. Twice during the event, managed service providers (MSPs) told me how they were building their businesses on top of Ubuntu. The two prime examples involve Rezitech and Network Depot. Here’s the scoop.
Vodcast: Autotask CEO Bob Godgart
Posted April 1st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The Autotask Community Live conference wrapped up yesterday. But the steady flow of content from the conference continues. Here’s my conversation with Autotask CEO Bob Godgart. He provides a healthy reminder that some managed service providers are cutting staff during the recession. But Godgart also delivers some optimistic messages — including a new strategy to eliminate the wall between MSPs and corporate IT. Take a look.
Vodcast: Hardware as a Service Tips for MSPs
Posted April 1st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During a quick video interview, masterIT CEO J. Michael Drake describes his company’s success blending managed services with hardware as a service (HaaS). Drake articulates why HaaS is more than leasing for laptops and desktops. And he offers practical tips for MSPs that want to move in a HaaS direction. The conversation was recorded at Autotask Community Live in Nashville, Tenn. Take a look.
Managed Services Accreditation, Part 2: Views From MSP Partners, MSPAlliance
Posted April 1st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
When MSP Partners on March 31 announced plans for a managed services accreditation test, I offered some quick perspectives but also raised five follow-up questions. Seeking answers, I contacted MSP Partners and the MSPAlliance — which already offers a managed services accreditation. Here are some perspectives on key questions I had raised.
