Comments on: Microsoft’s Cloud: Can MSPs Really Profit?

By: Grant Thompson

Grant Thompson — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:31:47 +0000

We are a cloud services provider helping IT companies make the transition to selling more cloud services and less on-premise. We fill in the gaps where Microsoft leaves off – <5 users, dedicated services, customization, disaster recovery, MOSS, Dynamics GP, etc… I completely agree with the sentiment in the video and the business case is very strong for most

Our partners get calls every week from businesses whose IT "partner" has told them "Cloud services are not here yet, wait" or downplays their significance. Customers are learning and seeking it out.

As for Google Apps vs. BPOS – right now there is no contest unless you are less than 5 users. Google cannot compete (today) against Exchange, SharePoint Office Communications Server and LiveMeeting. And if they are less than 5 users, we can help you provide them the solutions they need at a cost that makes sense.

I talk more about it on the partner spotlight at http://www.SMBNation.com.

By: Jim Lancaster

Jim Lancaster — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:16:32 +0000

Angus, we don’t seek to retain “ownership” of our customer relationships so that we can force more expensive solutions on them. To the contrary, we seek to retain our position as “trusted advisor” so we can protect them from some telemarketing yahoo selling BPOS when, in fact, Google Apps (or something else) may be both cheaper AND better suit their needs.

It may sound trite these days but as soon as we quit acting in the best interests of our customers, someone else will do it for us.

Jim

By: Niv Dolgin

Niv Dolgin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:37:47 +0000

I can vouch for the MSO/BPOS movement based on what we’ve seen in my own department. BPOS deals are accelerating quickly, and the I can vouch for the MSO/BPOS movement based on what we’ve seen in my own department. BPOS deals are accelerating quickly, and the pipeline is growing geometrically.

Microsoft is being tremendously supportive of this initiative too, as Ballmer has publicly announced his desire to destroy (er, ‘kill’ )Google. http://bit.ly/5cz0CO

The price cut is just one key move. MS moves slow but methodically and will be making some very interesting, and frankly very impressive moves in their Cloud the next 18 months.

I think the two will perpetually coexist, fighting for market share & driving innovation, all the while, lowering the cost of computing. We need to decide whether to take sides (or not) & thrive, or stand by the sidelines and risk dying on the vine.

No matter what, it’s an exciting time to be in IT again…

Niv Dolgin
Director, ITS
http://www.sadasystems.com

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:01:22 +0000

Andy: Weill check out CloudBerry Backup. Are you associated with them?
-jp

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:39:21 +0000

One of the examples of solution based on Microsoft Azure and targeting SMBs is CloudBerry Backup. http://backup.cloudberrylab.com/

By: KYoung

KYoung — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:06:24 +0000

Angus speaks wisley – “providing solutions that meet their needs” – this is how you keep customers for a long long time.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:14:52 +0000

Angus: Thanks for sharing such a strong viewpoint. We welcome intense but respectful debate on MSPmentor. Please keep us posted as your BPOS strategy evolves.
-jp

By: Angus Fox

Angus Fox — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:57:06 +0000

I hate that attitude that some partners have about it being ‘their’ customer to control. The MS partners that are worried about ‘losing customer control’ due to BPOS should consider that if they offer customers a more expensive solution with ‘control’ built in, then they should not be surprised if the customer jumps to another partner that sells them BPOS with their ‘value’ built in.

Disclosure: Im a Microsoft Partner, and partnering with other Micrsoft Partners was my idea I sell BPOS and the power of choice with my partner who is also a Microsoft Partner. We are both obsessed with providing our customers with solutions that meet their needs not ours.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:20:11 +0000

Andy M: Thanks for the perspectives. Do you work with Citrix? Partner with them? We always strive for full disclosure among our readers who post comments. You can expect more VDI coverage over on our sister site — http://www.thevarguy.com — later today.

By: Andy M

Andy M — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:14:50 +0000

Great interview. I agree 100% that BPOS and at least the separate MOS offerings are going to hit like a “title wave” especially now that the price is cut.

Since VDI is mentioned I also want to throw out there that Citrix has released a full feature 10 user XenDesktop Express v4 for FREE and is licensed for production use.

I am skeptical that clients with less than 100 desktops can see any ROI on VDI (maybe increase continuity or replace terminal server) but hard dollar return I am not sure on. Maybe thats why Citrix made the move.

Anyone out there running XenDesktop, running BPOS and only using local servers for AD and desktop hosting?