MSPAlliance President Charles Weaver (pictured) has offered up his thoughts regarding CompTIA’s acquisition of MSP Partners (the deal was announced earlier today). Here’s a recap of Weaver’s perspectives, plus my two cents.
According to Weaver’s blog:
“…when MSPPartners was formed two years ago many MSPs were fearful that their industry would be governed by a vendor driven group. Today’s news that CompTIA would be asuming control of MSPPartners alleviates that threat, hopefully once and for all. As the president of the MSPAlliance, I believe this is good for the industry and is a step in the right direction.”
Frankly, I’ve never heard from an MSP that was “fearful” of MSP Partners. If the industry was fearful, why did 5,000 VARs sign up to join MSP Partners?
Still, it’s good to hear Weaver sees the CompTIA-MSP Partners deal as a step in the right direction. Weaver also mentions MSPAlliance’s various claims to fame — first accreditation program, first green IT certification, etc. And he points out that “For the past six months MSPAlliance has been developing two groundbreaking programs and strategic alliances that will solidify relations between MSPAlliance members and end-user businesses.”
End User Education Needs to Accelerate
Looks like my original blog entry this morning hit a nerve. To recap: In order for the managed services market to continue rapid growth, it must increasingly extend into end-user organizations. I know MSPAlliance has been working on its end-consumer efforts. But ultimately, most end-customers still don’t understand the value of working with an accredited MSP.
Until end user mind share increases, the MSP industry will struggle to go from good to great. This isn’t an MSPAlliance issue. It’s an industry issue.
Weaver also confirms that he’s open to an ongoing dialog with CompTIA. He writes:
“In closing, do I believe MSPAlliance and CompTIA can coexist? Absolutely. I believe there is very little overlap between our two organizations and I look forward to exploring the possibilities of our two venerated associations working more closely together for the betterment of the managed services industry.”
A cordial closing, to be sure.
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Posted In: Acquisitions
Tags: CompTIA | CompTIA Acquires MSP Partners | Managed Services Accreditation | MSP Accreditation | MSP Partners | MSPAlliance President Charles Weaver
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Okay Joe looks like I’ll be the one to break the ice on the comment forum. How do you find the time and interest to blog about such a niche industry and the personalities within? When people spread FUD you seem to always call them on it. Have you ever had to back down from a view or reverse your opinion at a later date?
While I have your attention do you agree with Charles’ statement that the CompTIA/MSPPartners deal is a good development for the industry?
Craig S,
I love ice breakers so thanks for the comment. Some thoughts for you.
1. Finding time to blog: It’s my job. And I also happen to enjoy blogging. It’s a little like Forrest Gump going out for that long jog. When I’m done everyone will know it. Because I’ll be done for good. In the meantime there’s a long road ahead.
2. Industry personalities: I find them much more interesting than products and services. Get to know the people behind the companies/associations, and you’ll have an easier time finding partners you really want to work with.
3. Changing views: Yes, I reverse course often. That’s the beauty of a blog. You can eat crow then move on to the next day’s news/analysis. Hopefully, our views are consistent enough to be taken seriously.
4. Is CompTIA/MSP Partners good for the industry?: Yes, I believe it is, since it removes potential vendor concern about MSP Partners being too closely aligned with Level Platforms. But ultimately, CompTIA has to execute.
Let me know if you have more Q’s.
-jp
Thanks for the very prompt report on the state of the MSP market. Craig, take a look a the forecasts for SaaS uptake over the next 4 years and you will see this industry is not so niche. For too long some of these industry organizations have taken a back seat and operated from the dark but it is more important now that ever that there is healthy unbiased competition to excite and ignite the players.
I agree with Joe that the personalities are the most interesting part of the equation because if it wasn’t for them there would probably not be anything to blog about.
On the CompTIA/MSP Partners acquisition and as a vendor I welcome having more established industry organizations to work with. Charles has charted a course very much as a first mover and is to be lauded for his achievements.
I know this will sound like a shameless plug for the site, but before I started reading, following and commenting on MSPMentor, I didn’t even know there were such personalities (or any for that matter) within the MSP industry. Too easy to fall into the stereotype of the technician behind the desk, etc etc.
It’s been a real eye opener for me and helped my business too so keep it up Joe. Those personalities help to drive the changes and improvements to the industry.
Stu: Thanks for the note. We’ll be sure to find more and more of the personalities within the industry. As part of that effort, we’ll be profiling a number of MSPmentor 100 companies over the next few weeks. Details soon.
-jp