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Updated: Managed Services Videos
Posted July 31st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor’s FastChat Video Center continues to grow. Our latest interview features Symantec Senior VP Francis deSouza describing a strategy to simplify Symantec’s security business around four product suites. Also in the video center: Zenith Infotech describes its cloud strategy; Autotask reaches out to Microsoft and Cisco Partners; and Virtual Administrator describes an on-ramp strategy for aspiring MSPs. Watch for more FastChat Videos to debut across MSPmentor and The VAR Guy during CompTIA Breakaway and future conferences.
NetSuite Financial Results: SaaS Reality Check
Posted July 31st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I still believe — strongly — in software as a service (SaaS). But it’s critically important to keep SaaS market realities in perspective. Is SaaS really that hot? Or is the market lukewarm? The answer varies from company to company. But here are some important clues from NetSuite, one of the most successful publicly held SaaS software providers.
CompTIA, MSP Partners Unite Efforts on Managed IT Services Summit
Posted July 31st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
As much of the IT channel prepares to converge at CompTIA Breakaway (Aug. 3-6, Las Vegas), I’m keeping one eye on CompTIA’s Managed IT Services Summit, planned for October in Southern California. The reason: The event will be presented in partnership with MSP Partners — a clear indication that CompTIA and MSP Partners are serious about face-to-face conferences. Here’s some analysis.
Managed Security Services: McAfee Acquires MXLogic
Posted July 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Three words: That was fast. Roughly 24 hours after MSPmentor explored potential M&A activity in the managed service market, McAfee acquired MXLogic for approximately $140 million in cash at closing, with an earn-out of up to an additional $30 million in cash if certain performance targets are met, according to a McAfee press release. Here’s why MSPs should care.
MSP Careers: New Management and Executive Opportunities
Posted July 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Several new managed services career opportunities — including executive- and management-level positions — have surfaced on MSPmentor’s free job board. 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.
Open Source Monitoring: 4 Key Questions You Need to Ask
Posted July 30th, 2009 by Ken Vanderweel
First, let me be clear (hopefully before I get tarred and feathered): this isn’t intended as any kind of attack on open source, whether the concept, the technology, or the business model. To do so would be to discount one of the most meaningful trends in IT over the past decade. What I’m discussing is open source within a very specific context: Managed service providers (MSPs) using open source products to monitor their clients’ and their internally hosted IT infrastructures. That’s a very different proposition than, say, using open source as part of a Web development service or adopting a LAMP stack in a hosting environment. Here’s why.
Savvis: Cloud, SaaS Will Fuel Growth
Posted July 30th, 2009 by John Moore
Still skeptical about software as a service (SaaS) and cloud computing? Some promising anecdotal information from Savvis Inc. may help you warm up to both architectures. Indeed, Savvis executives provided an update on the company’s SaaS and cloud prospects during a Q2 financial conference call. Here’s a summary.
Australia and New Zealand: Race for MSP Market Share
Posted July 29th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The race to gain managed services mind share and market share in Australia and New Zealand continues to accelerate. The latest examples: Autotask is planning an August 2009 road show in Australia, and Kaseya has opened an office in New Zealand. The moves come only a few days after ConnectWise confirmed plans to offer hosted ConnectWise in Europe and Australia. Here’s some more perspective about the global managed services market.
MSP Succession Plans, Part II
Posted July 29th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Yesterday, I explored succession planning at Heartland Technology Solutions, a managed service provider that recently completed an internal executive promotion. My key question: What would happen to HTS if CEO Arlin Sorensen got hit by a bus or decided to retire? In response, Sorensen shared some key thoughts on succession planning. Now, let’s continue the succession planning discussion with thoughts from Network Depot and MSP University.
Managed Services Revenue: The Good (And the Bad)
Posted July 29th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Take a look at recent financial data points from CA Inc., Nimsoft and Siemens Enterprise Communications Group (SEN Group). You’ll notice an emerging trend: It’s hip to disclose recurring revenue and managed services revenue information. The reason: Wall Street and financial watchers consider the recurring revenue model a sign of business stability. Plus, there’s a need to rise above the MSP industry noise, where the mainstream press and some of the high-tech press continue to foolishly hype managed services as recession proof. Here’s some perspective…
Webcast: Six Ways to Find (and Win) New Business
Posted July 29th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Our next MSPmentor Live: webcast is Aug. 19 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. During the discussion, we’ll cover six ways managed service providers (MSPs) and solutions providers can find and win new business. The format will be interactive. We’ll spend roughly 10 minutes on each business and sales tip.
Managed Services: HoundDog Acquired, Who’s Next?
Posted July 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
When GFI Software today announced plans to acquire HoundDog Technology Ltd. — a SaaS-driven remote monitoring and management company — my first question was an obvious one: Who’s next? Is consolidation about to accelerate in the managed services market? Why or why not? Here are some initial thoughts… including some whispers involving Hewlett-Packard and venture capitalists.
MSPs: Got An Executive Succession Plan?
Posted July 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Consider the following scenario: A manager service provider’s CEO gets run over by a bus and leaves our world. Now, who runs the company? Who owns the company? My key point: Does your MSP business have a succession plan in place? Here are some key considerations, including thoughts from Heartland Technology Solutions CEO Arlin Sorensen.
Breaking: HoundDog Technology Acquired By GFI Software
Posted July 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
When HoundDog Technology’s executive team canceled a business trip from Europe to the United States a few weeks ago, I knew something was up. Now, the answer presents itself. GFI Software has acquired HoundDog. Stay tuned. HoundDog’s RMM product will be re-launched as GFI MAX. More details/analysis on MSPmentor today. UPDATED, July 28, 11:01 a.m. eastern: Here are some more extensive thoughts about HoundDog, GFI and MSP industry acquisitions.
What Are the Five Most Common MSP Mistakes?
Posted July 27th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Our Ask a Mentor system just received the following question from Paul: What are the top five mistakes managed service providers make? Here are some thoughts off the top of my head. But readers: Please weigh in with more thoughts.
Learn How to Pitch TCO and Cloud Computing
Posted July 27th, 2009 by John Moore
Managed service providers (MSPs) use a range of tactics to get customers interested in their wares. Savvis Inc. has found a couple of ways to engage customers in managed services discussions: bring up TCO (total cost of ownership) and cloud computing.
Top 10 Fears of Entrepreneurs
Posted July 27th, 2009 by Mitch York
Entrepreneur Magazine has a great article on the top five fears of entrepreneurs. But why stop at five? I’d like to expand the list to 10 common fears I hear about during my work as an executive coach.
Help Wanted: MSP and SaaS Positions Available
Posted July 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
A range of new managed services career opportunities have surfaced on MSPmentor’s free job board. New career opportunities include executive, sales, marketing and technical positions that require managed services and SaaS (software as a service) expertise.
Now Open: Managed Services Video Center
Posted July 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor continues to experiment with video — moving forward with some formats, abandoning others. During the CompTIA Breakaway conference (Aug. 3-6, Las Vegas) we’ll shift our video efforts into overdrive. Our cameras will capture top executives, entrepreneurs and experts from across the MSP industry and the IT channel. In the meantime, here’s a preview of our new MSPmentor FastChat video center. Thanks for your continued feedback.
Zenith Infotech Launching Cloud Strategy for MSPs
Posted July 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Small business. Virtualization. Cloud services. Zenith Infotech is taking those three components and converging them into a cloud strategy from managed service providers. Maurice Saluan, VP of channel management at Zenith Infotech, offers some details about the cloud strategy in this MSPmentor FastChat video.
Report: IT Outsourcing Still Shows Growth
Posted July 23rd, 2009 by John Moore
Managed service providers can breathe a collective sigh of relief. The reason: The outsourcing market is holding its own, according to a recent report from market watcher TPI.
ZOHO: Blending SaaS And Managed Services
Posted July 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Consider two of the biggest questions facing MSPs: First, how will managed services and SaaS (software as a service) converge with one another? Second, what role will MSPs play in that convergence? Take a look at ZOHO Corp. and you might begin to find some key trends and answers. Here’s why.
Autotask: More Specializations Coming
Posted July 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During Microsoft Worldwide Partner Summit 2009, I sat down with Autotask Senior VP Len DiCostanzo (pictured). We discussed how Autotask is adjusting its software to appeal to specific channel groups — such as Microsoft partners, Cisco partners and Ingram partners.
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