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How to Get Your Managed Services Questions Answered
Posted July 10th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Just when I was ready to unplug for the night, I received an email from Nimsoft’s Ken Vanderweel. In it, he asked if MSPmentor planned to introduce an “Ask a Question” feature, where visitors could post questions, provide answers and interact with one another. Well Ken, I feel like Casey Kasem. Because I’m about to answer your long distance request.
More MSPs Pursue SAS 70 Type II Audits
Posted July 10th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I’m not suggesting that managed service providers are marching in masses toward SAS 70 Type II certification. But anecdotal evidence suggests top MSPs continue to embrace the certification. True believers include Nirvanix, a cloud storage provider in San Diego.
Microsoft Still Attracts Managed Services Crowd
Posted July 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Windows no longer sits at the center of the IT universe. But Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC09) still knows how to attract a big crowd — including most of the major managed service software providers and MSPs themselves. Here are five MSP-centric topics MSPmentor will track at the event.
Gartner: The Great SaaS Debate
Posted July 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Generally speaking, I respect Gartner’s research. I’ve quoted Gartner’s analysts since about 1992. But a recent Gartner report suggests businesses are only “somewhat satisfied” with software as a service (SaaS). I know SaaS has its flaws and challenges. But are businesses only “somewhat” satisfied with SaaS? Really?
Last Call: MSPmentor 250 Nominations
Posted July 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
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 Friday, July 10. Act now before you forget. Here’s some more background on the MSPmentor 250 and a link to the survey.
Google Chrome OS and Managed Services
Posted July 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
If you’re not remotely managing Linux-type desktops and notebooks yet, I suspect you will be by 2010. The reason: Google plans to ship an open source operating system — called Chrome OS — for netbooks. And yes, I think your customers will start buying netbooks as part of hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) agreements.
Managed Services: Serious Fun
Posted July 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Take a tour of Computer Service Partners’ network operation center (pictured), and you’ll find all the key tools you need to remotely manage and troubleshoot customer networks. Plus, a putting green. Yes… a putting green. It’s part of Computer Service Partners’ effort to recruit and retain hard-working, talented employees. Here’s the story.
Hosted Security: Got Questions?
Posted July 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
If you have questions about hosted security — potential business models, recurring revenue strategies, technology considerations, etc. — please email them to me (joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc.com) or post the questions below. I am prepping for a July 15 Webcast (The VAR Guy Live) and gathering reader questions for our guest speakers. Here’s a quick overview of the event.
Autotask Opens Its Arms to Cisco Partners
Posted July 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The cat is out of the bag. After several weeks of rumors, Autotask has confirmed plans to build a special edition of its software for Cisco Systems’ channel partners. Here’s the scoop.
Help Wanted: Managed Services In Hawaii
Posted July 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Nearly 60 managed services career opportunities are now posted on MSPmentor’s free job board. New career opportunities include jobs in Hawaii (wish I was qualified…) plus a Help Desk Manager position at Alpheon (an MSPmentor 100 company) and a managed print services sales position.
Meet at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference?
Posted July 7th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
If you’re attending the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC09), I have a few openings left for meetings on July 13, 14 and 15. But I’m finalizing my schedule this week. Feel free to email me (joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc.com). I look forward to seeing you at the conference.
MSPs Push Beyond SaaS, Hosted Exchange
Posted July 7th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
What comes after hosted Exchange and software as a service? Managed service providers like Azaleos Corp. and Intermedia Inc. continue to offer new answers to those questions. Here’s what to expect from both companies heading into Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 (WPC09) in New Orleans.
How to Master Hosted Security
Posted July 6th, 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.
Three Tips for a Successful Sales Call
Posted July 6th, 2009 by Mitch York
Keith Ferrazzi has a nice piece on his blog called “Surefire Tips for a Successful Sales Call,” including a useful 2 minute video. He focuses on relationship selling–making the customer feel comfortable by focusing on her favorite subject–herself. He gives six great suggestions. Read what he has to say, and then have a look at a few more items that I’ve found useful over the years when it comes to relationship selling. I learned some of these ideas from Rennie Crabtree of Marketing Outcomes, whom I consider my mentor in relationship selling.
Microsoft SaaS: Host It Or Resell It?
Posted July 6th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It could be a sign of things to come. Heading into the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 (WPC09), Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) has agreed to resell Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). CSC’s move represents an inflection point for managed service providers, many of which are trying to decide whether to host Exchange and SharePoint on their own — or simply resell Microsoft’s own hosted services.
Most Read Managed Services Stories, First Half 2009
Posted July 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Now that we’ve reached the mid-point of 2009, let’s take a moment to review the 10 MSPmentor blog entries you read most during the first half of 2009.
SaaS Stocks Up Nearly 30% In First Half 2009
Posted July 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The worst of times have turned into the best of times for software as a service (SaaS) stocks. After a horrid performance in 2008, SaaS stocks rallied nearly 30 percent during the first half of 2009, according to Nine Lives Media Inc.’s SaaS 20 Stock Index. Here’s a look at the SaaS leaders to date…
Managed Services: What’s In A Name?
Posted July 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Before you incorporate your next company, ask yourself: What does your proposed company name communicate to prospective customers? I raise that question because I just stumbled upon a pretty interesting managed service provider called Apps4Rent.
ConnectWise Cuts Hosted Pricing
Posted July 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
ConnectWise is taking aggressive steps in the hosted software market. The PSA (professional services automation) software provider next week is expected to “officially” announce lower Hosted ConnectWise pricing. But word of the move is already spreading across Twitter. Here are the implications.
Are MSPs Really Pro-Active?
Posted July 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Conventional wisdom says managed service providers are pro-active. But a new survey, commissioned by Kaseya, shows that most VARs and MSPs remain in reactive mode. So are pro-active managed services a myth — or a goal that hasn’t been achieved yet? Here’s some more on Kaseya’s study.
LogMeIn, Solarwinds IPOs Energize Managed Services CEOs
Posted July 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Executives across the managed services software market are feeling bullish as they begin their fiscal Q3 quarters. The reason: Both LogMeIn (this week) and Solarwinds (May 2009), emerging players in the managed services and network management markets, have launched successful initial public offerings (IPOs). Here’s some perspective and MSP industry reactions.
Cali Lewis’s Seven Secrets to Blogging Success
Posted July 1st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor readers frequently ask me how to “build” a great blog that (A) attracts an audience and (B) drives interaction. I never really thought about specific “secrets to success” until this past week. During the WordCamp blogger conference in Dallas, GeekBrief.TV host Cali Lewis offered this simple — but effective — seven-step list for building a social media site that enjoys strong community.
Managed TelePresence Services Reach Tipping Point
Posted July 1st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It’s the TelePresence announcement I’ve been awaiting for about six months. A major hotel chain, a major service provider and a major technology vendor are partnering up to deploy managed TelePresence services (a.k.a. next-generation video conferencing) at hotels worldwide. Here’s the scoop. Plus, the implications for managed service providers.
