Fusepoint Managed Services has joined the ranks of companies offering hosting and managed services around Microsoft’s SharePoint collaboration and content management suite. The big question: Is there room for additional MSPs to differentiate their hosted SharePoint offerings?
Let’s start with the latest news: Fusepoint, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, this week launched SharePoint managed hosting services along with application development tools for the software. Other companies hosting SharePoint include Apptix, Intermedia, Rackspace Hosting and SherWeb Inc.
Azaleos, meanwhile, introduced SharePoint managed services in April. The company’s service monitors SharePoint Server, Internet Information Server, and SQL Server as well as associated storage and network infrastructure.
The Bigger Question
Is there room for differentiation here? On the upside, SharePoint is a hot platform that now generates more than $1 billion in annual revenues for Microsoft. Plus, an ecosystem of SharePoint ISVs (independent software vendors) emerged at the recent Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC).
Still, competition looms everywhere. Microsoft itself is pushing hard into the hosted SharePoint market, as part of the company’s Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) effort. Also, potential SharePoint rivals like Alfresco and Box.net are reaching out to channel partners.
Still, MSPs like Fusepoint think they can differentiate in the market. In Fusepoint’s case, the secret sauce may be in the services that surround SharePoint hosting. Fusepoint aims to review a customer’s SharePoint strategy, create a new (or extend an existing) Web application, integrate legacy apps into SharePoint, and then provide the “ongoing application and infrastructure management,” according to a company statement.
Contributing blogger John Moore covers Master MSPs, Web hosts and emerging opportunities. Follow MSPmentor via RSS; Facebook; Identi.ca; and Twitter. And sign up for our Enewsletter; Webcasts and Resource Center.
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Posted In: Software as a Service and Hardware as a Service
Tags: Apptix SharePoint | Intermedia SharePoint | Microsoft BPOS | Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite | Rackspace Hosting SharePoint | SherWeb SharePoint
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I think that users are getting frustrated at the lack of apps for SharePoint, this alongside the year or two until SharePoint 2010 is released is forcing users to look outside the box.
I stumbled across Windward Reports’ Arrow, which provides reporting capabilities that include dashboards, business intelligence, report generation, mail merge and more in SharePoint.
Definitely worth checking out.
I am finding that most of my clients that are considering Sharepoint have not so quickly pulled the trigger. They are evaluating several solutions and thus far Microsoft has not been the leader. Box.net has seem to be fairing well and I am getting alot of good feedback on it.
As far as what this means to the MSP. I think there will be many more companies joining this arena and their services will be available directly to the end-client, cutting out the MSP. However, enterprise solutions customized to the clients need and merging their current or legacy apps into a Sharepoint environment may give MSP opportunity in the space. It seems that Fusepoint is taking the right steps to secure their spot in the game.
GrahamS: During Microsoft Worldwide Partner Summit 2010, the trade show floor was filled with ISVs offering SharePoint Apps. And I keep hearing from CIOs who are deploying SharePoint but suffering from SharePoint sprawl (unmanaged systems, etc.). So, I think the opportunities are still emerging for VARs and MSPs.
But a side question: You mentioned Windward Reports’ Arrow. Do you represent that company? We always push for full disclosure on MSPmentor.
ikehill: Just double-checking. You mentioned that you’re hearing good feedback on Box.net. Do you represent them or have any ties to the company? I just always like to check reader affiliations on our comment boards.
Thanks to both of you for your initial comments. I look forward to your continued thoughts on SharePoint.
-jp