ManageEngine, a division of ZOHO Corp., has launched MSP Center Lite, an agent-based remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform for managed services providers. The interesting twist: MSP Center Lite is free for MSPs that want to manage up to 25 devices. Beyond that, the software starts at $545 per year for 50 managed devices. Here’s a closer look at ManageEngine’s strategy plus the MSP freemium trend.
According to ManageEngine:
“MSP Center Lite is an integrated MSP platform that offers … network monitoring, ITIL–based service desk, asset management, server monitoring, cloud monitoring, POS monitoring, IT workflows, remote control, and patch management. MSP Center Lite is web–based and built on the agent–central architecture.”
MSPmentor watches ManageEngine closely because the company is part of a larger SaaS and cloud story involving ZOHO Corp. As you may recall, Zoho (a division within ZOHO Corp.) develops SaaS-based applications that compete with Google Apps, Salesforce.com and other industry heavyweights. Over time, it’s safe to expect more and more synergies between Zoho and ManageEngine.
Freemium Trend
Meanwhile, the freemium trend continues to accelerate across the managed services market. N-able CEO Gavin Garbutt became a major freemium cheerleader about a year ago, introducing free endpoint security licenses for N-able’s MSP partners. MSPmentor took a closer look at the freemium MSP software trend in January 2010. And more recently, Intronis CEO Sam Gutmann raised key questions about freemium services in August 2010.
Clearly, ManageEngine is jumping on the freemium bandwagon, offering free software for MSPs managing up to 25 devices. We’ll be watching where freemium — and ManageEngine — go next.
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Posted In: Finance | Remote Monitoring & Management Software
Tags: endpoint security | Freemium | Google Apps | Intronis | Managed Services Software | ManageEngine | MSP Center Lite | N-able | Salesforce.com | Sam Gutmann | Zoho
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Why is it that only startups and dotcoms use the freemium business model? Can’t it by helpful to for instance telecom operators? See http://telruptive.com/2010/09/09/freemium-in-telecom/
Maarten: I appreciate you reading MSPmentor but I disagree with your comment. Telecom companies use the freemium strategy all the time. One example: Free cell phones to get you to pay for long-term service contracts.
-jp
Hi Joe. Fully agree with your assesment on the growing trend towards freemium services in the MSP space. I am not sure that offering a limited number of free licenses is the answer though as if you are plannning on building a service beyond the free limit then you need to build the full cost in to your business model from day one. Freemium is something we are building into our v4 due out in January – but the route we have taken is a basic agent coupled to an “App Store” from which you can add additional functionality and thus build your bespoke service offering. This way you only pay for the functionality you need – and, via policy management, only on the devices you need it for.
Ian, CTO, CentraStage.
Ian van Reenen: For those who aren’t familiar with your company and your role, can you disclose it please? Thanks for sharing your perspectives on Freemium.
-jp
Sure. I am the CTO and a founder of CentraStage, a SaaS RMM tool. We have a cloud offering at http://www.centrastage.com as well as bespoke installations in the SMB, education and corporate markets. We operate primarily in Europe although are now entering a number of other territories – our US service kicks off in earnest in January 2011. I am a keen follower of your site and am always happy to answer any questions regarding our technology and where we are going with it.
Regards,
Ian
Ian: Thanks for the additional background.
-jp