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ConnectWise, HTG Peer Groups Ink Strategic Alliance
Posted June 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Peer groups — which allow VARs and managed service providers to measure their business performance against each other — continue to evolve rapidly. The latest move involves a strategic alliance between HTG Peer Groups and ConnectWise. Here are some details, plus a podcast with HTG Founder Arlin Sorensen and ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini.
Five Ways MSPs Can Engage Customers During Transition Periods
Posted June 30th, 2009 by Andrew Pohran
I can’t really say that I look forward to transition periods. Activities like searching for a new job, taking on a new role at work, or moving to a new place of residence equal long hours and (often) sleepless nights. But there’s also something I like about transition, something fascinating: I can control the outcome of the activity. I can choose a new job. I can create structure and processes in a new role at work. And I can paint walls, install flooring, and make numerous renovations in a new home.
MSPmentor 250 Survey Deadline Is July 10
Posted June 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Tick… tick… tick. Time is running out to submit nominations for our MSPmentor 250 survey — a comprehensive report that will highlight the world’s top managed services experts, executives and entrepreneurs. The deadline for survey submissions is July 10. Act now before you forget. Here’s some more background on the MSPmentor 250 and a link to the survey.
Managed Services: How to Go Vertical… Fast
Posted June 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
“We’re going vertical.” I hear that mantra over and over again in the managed services market, as MSPs and their software providers try to push deeper into health care, government, retail and other verticals. But how do you back up your words with real action? Here’s one answer from N-able.
Denim, Rackspace Partner On Remote Scanning
Posted June 29th, 2009 by John Moore
Instead of evangelizing managed services on its own, Denim Group is working through a partner — Rackspace Hosting — to offer remote vulnerability scanning services to Rackspace customers. Here are some quick observations.
Webcast: Join Me July 15
Posted June 29th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
If you’re striving to better understand hosted security solutions — recurring revenue models, sales strategies and technology considerations — then join me on July 15. That’s when our sister site will host The VAR Guy: Live webcast. Here’s some quick information about the webcast.
Managed Services IPO: Here Comes LogMeIn
Posted June 29th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Are investors ready to pump money into managed services software companies? We’ll find out this week, when LogMeIn is expected to launch an initial public offering. No doubt, many of LogMeIn’s primary and secondary rivals will be watching the IPO closely. Here’s why.
Dell: ProManage Managed Services In Europe?
Posted June 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
A report suggests that Dell is about to launch ProManage Managed Services in Europe. If true, the move would represent the latest in a growing list of managed services moves across Europe. Plus, I think Dell will extend the ProManage brand into new technology markets. Here’s the early buzz.
Can MSPs Really Keep Innovating?
Posted June 26th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
When you launched your business, you wanted it to be “different” from rival computer consultants and managed service providers. You had clear goals. But somewhere along the line you got tied up running your business. You stopped innovating. You became just another VAR or MSP. So what went wrong — and how can you start innovating again?
Pure Cloud MSPs: A Near Future Possibility?
Posted June 26th, 2009 by Devanand
Will there be a day when a managed service provider offers every service from the cloud? Before you answer that question consider some recent trends.
Managed Services Sales In Q2: How Did You Do?
Posted June 25th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
As the second quarter nears its close for many technology companies, I’m curious: How are managed services sales holding up out in the market? Has your business resumed growth after the turbulent first quarter than many of us witnessed?
Azaleos Wins Massive Exchange Outsourcing Deal
Posted June 25th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
In case you missed it, Microsoft and IBM have been waging a war of words on our sister site, TheVARguy.com. The feud started when IBM alleged Microsoft faces tepid demand for some of its software. At least for this round, Microsoft may get the last laugh — thanks to a massive Lotus Notes-to-Exchange migration and managed services deal, won by Azaleos. Here are quick details.
Kaseya and the VAR500?
Posted June 25th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I’ve been mulling this item in the back of my head for about two weeks, trying to figure out how to write a responsible blog. Let me start with the facts, then dive in with my own thoughts. The facts: Kaseya, the managed services software provider, landed on the latest VAR500 list — which tracks North America’s largest solutions providers. Then Kaseya issued a press release announcing the VAR500 honor. That’s when the industry chatter started.
Managed Services Peer Groups: N-able Update
Posted June 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Peer groups — which allow managed service providers to compare best practices behind private closed-door meetings — remain the rage. But some of the “recent” buzz actually started months ago. N-able, for instance, quietly disclosed its peer group plans in a blog entry back in January.
Five Questions for Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis
Posted June 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor and TheVARguy.com are confirmed to interview Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis in a few days. If you have questions for Davis, feel free to email me (joe [at] ninelivesmediainc.com) or post a comment below. I will be sure to leverage some reader thoughts during the interview.
45 Managed Services Career Opportunities
Posted June 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Nearly 50 managed services career opportunities are now posted on MSPmentor’s free job board. Several of the opportunities surfaced today. If you’re looking to make a hire — or looking for a new career — check out the board. It’s designed to promote careers in managed services, software as a service (SaaS) and channel-oriented positions.
Service Provider Marketplace Receives Funding
Posted June 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Jobvana, which positions itself as an online marketplace where you can find trusted service providers, has received an undisclosed amount of financing from Rally Capital to help marketing efforts. But what exactly is Jobvana, and can online marketplaces really help managed service providers (MSPs) score new business? Here are some thoughts.
Latisys Expands, Eyes Managed Services
Posted June 24th, 2009 by John Moore
Latisys is in growth mode. The Fairfax, Va.-based company, which focuses on data center services, was built on acquisitions and continues to seek deals going forward. Here’s where Latisys is heading next.
Podcast: Open Source Networking
Posted June 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Vyatta positions itself as the open source networking alternative to Cisco Systems. But what exactly does that mean? And how is Vyatta working with Citrix Systems, which recently invested in Vyatta? To find the answers, I spoke with Kelly Herrell (pictured), CEO of Vyatta.
Master MSPs Bolster Managed Storage Efforts
Posted June 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Do IT Smarter, a master managed service provider (Master MSP), is adding CompuVault’s online data backup services to its suite of offerings. The relationship is the latest in a series of storage-centric moves across the Master MSP landscape. Here’s a look at recent activity.
Managed Telepresence Services Reach the Cloud
Posted June 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It was only a matter of time. Just last week, I mentioned the buzz around managed telepresence services has grown louder and louder. Now, a Toronto company called videoCloud has launched managed telepresence services. I don’t know much about videoCloud, but I do think the company’s strategy is a sign of things to come in the managed telepresence market.
The Copernican Theory of Fragmented Markets
Posted June 23rd, 2009 by Justin Crotty
The managed services market is never without its intrigue. Vendors, application developers, tool providers, platform aggregators, managed service providers, solution providers, and end customers all swimming about in the fragmented, highly competitive, primordial soup that is a growing market. Now, for the challenge…
SMC Networks Ramps Up Managed Services Platform
Posted June 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
When SMC Networks shipped its TigerAccess Managed Services platform in May 2009, I promised readers I’d get more details about SMC’s managed services initiative. Now, I’m back with some follow-up thoughts from Iain Kenney, director of product marketing for SMC. Here are some observations.
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