Comments on: ConnectWise Capital: $20 Million to “Incubate Innovation”

By: Eugene

Eugene — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:43:18 +0000

I agree it’s too early to really comment as all we can really do is ASS-u-me. I applaud those that are channel only, truly care to help the channel, and believe in the channel. If we continue to compete against one another, big business (Dell, etc…) will take over and destroy that last mile.
I also agree with the other comments about posting names and affiliations. So on that note…we use Zenith as our RMM, Connectwise as our PSA, and thanks to Chartec we are able to offer HAAS allowing us to stay competitive. We also have attended their bootcamp and appreciate the training we received and business process materials that many others are hesitant to share.
Want some of that money…innovate and put your heart into helping the channel and seeing others succeed.
Givers Gain…reap what you sow. (not an HTG member)

shameless plug -> http://www.mspchannelforum.com (new site)

By: Steve Eyton

Steve Eyton — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:13:38 +0000

All interesting comments. Sure have a lot of speculation.
I have been using ConnectWise services for a few years now and my experience has been good. They are constantly in contact with me and my company. I use Chartec as well and have been pleased with both companies regarding support and there willingness to listen to me on how to improve services. I get from them, How can I help you? Not, How can I sell more for them? Dell never asks, they ignore!
Also, how many seminars have you gone to sponsored by your vendors that are free? Or training that is free? All you have to do is get there.
So, if companies like CW and Chartec are willing to help me compete with larger companies without pouring money into the solution from my own pocket. What’s the downside? Are you saying they are under funded?
I say wait until we know the full story before coming to too many conclusions. I personally am looking forward to hearing.
Steve Eyton
Expetec/AYCE Technology

By: Bill Black

Bill Black — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:09:42 +0000

I am excited about the possibilities that Connectwise Capital will bring to the channel. Their investment will strengthen the opportunities for a streamlined and system based business approach for MSPs that don’t have their own internal processes and development funds or personnel. The investment in other companies is Business 101 – everyone grows in the process, and all companies have the potential to court investors as they grow. Based on what I am reading, their investment is in the “innovative solutions” that help our MSP businesses succeed. CharTec (whose name keeps coming up) is one of those companies. Using CharTec increases my profitability and helps me to maintain a scalable and sustainable business model. Therefore, I see them as one of the “innovative solutions” that would benefit if Connectwise Capital were involved. The additional capital will increase the quality of offerings from these companies, as well as increasing further innovation. I don’t see it as any type of competition, and I would look forward to working with the good old boys club.

By: Huh Really?

Huh Really? — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:52:51 +0000

I agree with Huh. I think that Arnie seems to be blowing a lot of smoke these days. It’s the news blab of the week, but if he was actually doing everything that he says he is “going to do” in his press releases, he’d have to be Microsoft. I think that Joe is a “mouthpiece for Arnie.” How about doing some real reporting AFTER the guy actually does what he says he “PLANS” to do, instead of giving his musings the credibility it does not deserve, or being his free “trial balloon” platform???

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:49:06 +0000

Really: To the best of my knowledge ConnectWise Capital will involve a pure channel play. We’ll be covering the vendor reaction this week. Reader feedback/constructive criticism about our coverage and the news of the day always is welcome.

But I appreciate it when comment posts use real names and disclose their company affiliations. We push for those disclosures to ensure readers have a good feel for the people behind the comment posts.

-jp

By: Really?

Really? — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:38:36 +0000

Hi Joe,
This concerns me. Is Connectwise now going to be in direct competition with MSPs and VARs by investing in a select few? So they “invest” in Chartech others to become an actual reseller of serves doesn’t that mean start competing with everyone from Rackspace to some of the small MSPs that do SPLA with Microsoft or HaaS though whitebox leasing? This sounds like it is going to be an exclusive good old boys club and I think I want out. Time to review my agreement with them. Lastly, how will their other “partners” like N-able, Zenith and Level Platforms feel about this?

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:41:00 +0000

Update: The ConnectWise Capital announcement officially surfaced today (Jan. 25). According to the press release:

“ConnectWise, the lT Industry’s leading application for professional service automation (PSA), announced the formation of ConnectWise Capital. The new arm will incubate innovative solutions to be sold exclusively through the IT channel. ConnectWise Capital has a $20,000,000 fund and plans to begin investing in promising companies immediately.”

ConnectWise Co-founder David Bellini is going to manage the effort. The press release is short on details but I’ll be investigating more later today and this week.
-jp

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:03:08 +0000

Griff H: No need to apologize to me. Sorry I misunderstood your reply. And “Huh” (comment 3″) raises a valid point in that I need to dig further and clarify the financial aspects of the forthcoming announcement. We continue to welcome comments, including ones that raise questions about our coverage.
-jp

By: Griff H

Griff H — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:35:41 +0000

So sorry Joe! Please accept my sincerest apology. My previous post was directed at “Huh?” who was stating some incorrect assumptions about the financial aspects of the initiative you wrote about in this blog. I am very impressed by the strategy of ConnectWise and found your coverage to be informative and appropriate. Again, I’m very sorry that I was not more clear in my response.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:31:12 +0000

Griff H: Looks like I’m taking a few lumps over this blog entry… I don’t have an “intimate” knowledge of ConnectWise financial statements. But when ConnectWise Capital is officially launched I will be sure to ask how the effort is being funded, etc.
-jp