A so-called “free” strategy continues to sweep across the managed services market. But whether you’re an association, a software provider or a managed services provider (MSP), “free” is a tricky strategy to manage — especially as you try to convert free clientele into paying customers. Here’s a look at the trend.
First, a look at some of the free efforts in the MSP market:
- N-able has launched free software agents and free endpoint security options for its existing MSP partner base. The move aims to help MSPs expand their customer bases
- Sophos is offering free data leakage prevention capabilities in its endpoint security offering
- Spiceworks offers free remote monitoring software, powered by an advertising system
- Trend Micro offers Worry-Free Remote Manager remote monitoring software for free to its security MSPs
- At a conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, the Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) has announced “a new suite of member services” that are free for a limited time.
- Additional associations and organizations — everyone from the MSPAlliance to MSP Partners (recently acquired by CompTIA) and MSP University – frequently pull together “free” offers to engage members or drive events forward
- Stay tuned folks. I suspect we’ll hear at least one new “free” MSP-oriented offer in the next 10 business days, and it could be dramatic
Free can be a great way to generate buzz and engage partners/customers. But at some point, you need to convert many of those free folks into paying clientele. Some businesses have done a remarkable job converting free audiences into paying customers — the prime examples including Google (free search to paid search) and Red Hat (free Linux to subscription Linux). But free can also kill a company (prime example: Netscape).
Free for the Long Haul?
In the MSP space, the free strategy will need time to play out.
I’ll be watching the N-able partner ecosystem particularly closely.
- How will existing partners use those free remote management and endpoint security licenses?
- How will they pitch the offerings to customers?
- Will MSPs bill for the free offerings and pocket the profits?
- Or will MSPs offer up the software for free to customers — just to get them hooked on managed services?
So many questions. But one thing seems clear: Profitable companies like Red Hat have proven free is here to stay. Now, the rest of us have to figure out our free strategies — especially in the managed services industry.
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Posted In: Finance | Marketing | Sales
Tags: CompTIA MSP Partners | Free DLP | Free Managed Services | Managed Print Services Association | MSP Partners | MSP University | MSPAlliance | N-able Partner Summit | Sophos Data Leakage Prevention | Sophos DLP | Spiceworks | Spiceworld
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You’re onto something here but I want to point out one other risk associated with free. When you come out with a free offer you run the risk of alienating your existing paid customer base.
JT: Good point. I can’t speak for everyone but in N-able’s case the “free” offer was carefully planned to involve N-able’s N-central customer base. For exact details check in with them.
Ok – yes, in one part of my life “free” is a four-letter word that begins with “F”…which is bad…like “free” print assesments.
On the other hand, sometimes a complentary, introduction period can sell the longterm.
The MPSA has a just such an offer. We hope to generate a little buzz, get some people to take a look, and possibly convert a few to lifelong members.
Thanks for the mention.
Greg
Sorry guys. Couldnt catch up on the discussion earlier. I believe “Free” is a great way to invoke curiosity from prospective cleints but there has to be certain restrictions on the duration of usage.