MSPmentor

If only we had two extra hours per day… The extra time would certainly help us to keep pace with the managed services market. Here are seven managed services blog entries we didn’t have time to write for the week ending January 15, 2010.

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CharTec, the hardware as a service (HaaS) specialist, is promoting a new voice-over-IP solution — called a Voice Management System — for managed services providers. But that’s not all. I’m keeping my eyes on CharTec for a range of reasons.

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For the second time in January 2010, there’s major M&A activity within the VAR500. The latest example involves World Wide Technology snapping up Performance Technology Group. The deal potentially bolsters World Wide Technology’s managed services offering in the government market. Here are some quick details.

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LegalCloud isn’t your typical managed services provider. The Sausalito, Calif.-based company is targeting the legal vertical with a range of cloud, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), backup and disaster recovery services. I met CEO Mark Hadfield on January 15, and he shared portions of LegalCloud’s business plan with me. Here’s a look at his strategy.

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While discussing Managed Workplace 2010′s debut earlier today, Level Platforms CEO Peter Sandiford offered key views on how the managed services software market will segment. Read between the lines and you’ll begin to understand how Level Platforms intends to differentiate from such rivals as Kaseya, N-able and Nimsoft (among others). Here are my conclusions about current and emerging market trends, plus FastChat video interviews with Sandiford.

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I must concede: Each time Spiceworks issues a press release with big deployment claims, I raise a skeptical eye. The company makes free, advertising-driven remote monitoring and management software for MSPs and IT managers. To Spiceworks’ credit, the company isn’t shy about answering my questions. In a FastChat video interview, Spiceworks co-founder Jay Hallberg (pictured) explains the company’s business model, MSP focus and march toward profitability. Take a look.

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IP communications provider Global Crossing has tapped Juniper Networks to help in its effort to provide a more robust managed services offering. Here are the details.

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The U.S. government’s interest in the cloud is no secret. What’s less apparent is how adoption will evolve. Daniel Kent, director of federal solutions at Cisco Systems, recently shed some light on cloud’s government path. Speaking at a Digital Government Institute webinar, Kent suggested agencies are taking a cautious approach, amid cloud security concerns.

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An upgrade battle continues across the managed services software market. The latest effort comes from LPI Level Platforms Inc., which says Managed Workplace 2010 is now available for MSPs targeting small and midsize customers. Level Platforms’ press release leads me to believe the MSP software market is starting to develop specific segments. I’ll be back with more thoughts later today.

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Whether you call it online backup or managed storage, the market for SaaS-oriented storage solutions is intensifying. The latest news involves N-able Technologies partnering with Intronis. But each time I check my inbox there seems to be a new pitch about MSPs and managed storage. Here are six questions MSPs should ask before making an online backup decision.

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Is there a need for MSPs to remotely monitor and manage Linux devices? Apparently yes. For the second time in recent days, a major managed services software supplier says it’s making Linux moves. The latest example involves GFI Software disclosing a two-step Linux strategy. I’m not suggesting Linux will rule the world. But the trend is clear: MSPs need to push beyond their Windows heritage and must now support mixed customer environments. Here’s why.

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Hmmm… The VAR Guy has noticed an apparent link between Zenith Infotech and a telepresence upstart called Vu Technologies. Is Zenith Infotech getting into the next-generation video conferencing market? Too soon to say. But here’s some chatter involving Zenith Infotech, Vu Technologies and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

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Signs of life in the retail sector began surfacing in mid-2009, and 2010 finds companies carefully sizing up IT spending. Indeed, managed services providers are landing deals as retailers revisit initiatives that may have been stalled last year. Josh Wolff, regional director at Hosted Solutions, an infrastructure-as-a-service provider, says retailers are moving cautiously. But deals are happening. Here are some key examples.

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Let’s face it: life on the bleeding edge is not for everyone — companies or individuals. If you are anything like me, some days you ask yourself why you do it. Yet for most of us in the IT services world, the good days in 2009 far outnumbered the bad, and the lessons learned were invaluable. Here are four takeaways I am keeping top of mind in 2010:

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You’ve got a great idea… maybe it involves Software as a Service or an online business. Now, you need some computing resources to get you started. The Planet — a managed hosting provider that works with VARs and MSPs — is offering up some help. In an effort to help entrepreneurs mitigate their computing costs and spur economic growth, The Planet has launched Sand Castle, a year-long philanthropic initiative to provide 500 individuals with completely free servers.

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The rumors and speculation were all correct. VMware today acquired an open source email specialist — Zimbra — from Yahoo. If you’re a managed service provider that’s still sorting out your virtualization and SaaS email strategies then VMware’s move is worth following. Here’s why.

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Got news? Sure you do. Here’s a simple five-step plan to help managed services providers and VARs generate some news and trigger some buzz. Follow the steps and you could increase mind share and market share within your target markets. Here’s how.

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Our first MSPmentor Live webcast of 2010 is scheduled for January 20. Here’s a look at the topic, our guest speakers and two surprises (hint: they involve Amazon’s Kindle) we have in store for the webcast.

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If only you had more time — or more cash — to build your business in 2010. Sure, you can reach out to a credit union or local bank for a line of credit. But I’m starting to hear from managed service providers (MSPs) who are mulling another path: Finding an angel investor. Smart move?

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As Australia’s managed services market continues to grow, VARs and managed service providers are recruiting key talent to help accelerate their business operations. The latest example comes from Accucom, which apparently has hired several former Synergy employees. Here are the details.

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Spiceworks, which develops network monitoring tools for corporate IT and managed service providers, has raised $16 million in series C funding. The financial move is noteworthy for several reasons involving managed services, software as a service (SaaS) and advertising-based systems. Here are some quick observations.

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Microsoft’s BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite) team is bolstering its SaaS training options for channel partners. The effort includes learning tools, delivery support and technical support options for VARs and managed services providers. Here’s a look.

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There’s no denying 2009 was a challenging year. Nearly everyone was forced to cut costs, streamline operations and undergo the proverbial belt tightening to stay out of the red. It wasn’t easy. Salary levels were frozen. Bonuses canceled. Furloughs mandated. And, in the worst cases, employees laid off and businesses closed. Now, here’s some upside.

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