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Seven Managed Services Blog Entries MSPmentor Didn’t Write: Jan. 14
Posted January 14th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
M&A activity continues strong in the managed services market. We’re still chasing details about a few managed services deals. But as usual some potential blog entries fell through the cracks. So, here are seven managed services blog entries the MSPmentor staff didn’t have time to write for the week ending January 14, 2011.
Memo to IT Consulting Shops With 1 to 5 Employees
Posted January 14th, 2011 by Steve Goodman
The greatest strength any one person can have is to understand their weaknesses. And if you’re a fledging VAR / IT Consultant that is looking to transition to an MSP, the reason you won’t be successful is that you can’t sell. Let’s have a grown-up discussion about the white elephant in the room. The reality is that you are an IT and tech person. You are really good at it and you’re Left Brained. I get it. None of us are great at everything. You gain your customers through referrals and the good work that you do. You bill here and there, but it’s a lumpy process and you’re always off to the next fire. You have no time to think about building your business.
Prediction: Microsoft Will Change Cloud Billing Policy for Partners
Posted January 14th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Rewind to December 2010. MSPmentor’s most-read story of the month involved a cloud billing debate between Microsoft and channel partners. Some Microsoft partners say they want to control cloud billing to end-customers, but Microsoft has yet to introduce such a capability. Fast forward to late 2011 or early 2012, and I suspect Microsoft’s Office 365 cloud platform will eventually allow channel partners to control end-customer billing. Here’s why.
Alert Logic: Security As a Service Remains In Growth Mode
Posted January 14th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
The last time we checked in with Alert Logic, a Houston, Texas-based security SaaS provider, the company was just entering into a partnership with Tenzing Management IT Services. The theory? That cloud service providers would choose a managed SaaS security option over a managed security services provider (MSSP). Alert Logic Chairman, President and CEO Gray Hall even went as far as calling the MSSP model a business model in decline. Whether you agree or disagree with the statement, one thing is clear: Alert Logic itself remains in growth mode.
MSPmentor 100: 7ticks, Owned By Interactive Data, Gets Transparent
Posted January 14th, 2011 by Dave Courbanou
We’re set to unveil the fourth-annual MSPmentor 100 list during a February 16 webcast. In the meantime, MSPmentor is checking in with companies that landed on our third-annual list. Today’s profile focuses on 7ticks, now a subsidiary of Interactive Data. 7ticks is an MSP focusing on the global electronic financial market and offering an ultra-low latency trading infrastructure because “milliseconds matter,” according to the company. Scott Caudell, 7ticks co-founder and currently vice president of IT infrastructure at Interactive Data 7ticks, walked me through the latest goings on at the MSP.
Do MSPs Understand SEO, Google Adwords and Pay-Per-Click?
Posted January 13th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
When we launched MSPmentor back in 2008, a lot of managed services providers (MSPs) ask me for guidance on such topics as search engine optimization (SEO), Google Adwords, pay-per-click advertising campaigns and online marketing. Some of that chatter died down over the past year or two. (Maybe readers realized I was clueless.) But the SEO and online marketing chatter is starting up again — especially as MSP marketing budgets somewhat improve. Still, I wonder: Are MSPs really ready to master online marketing?
Using Your Web Site to Boost Sales: 4 Requirements
Posted January 13th, 2011 by Nimsoft Guest Blog
Let’s face it: time and money are always in short supply. As MSPs juggle their competing priorities, investing precious resources to upgrade the Web site is the thing that is often allowed to hit the ground. However, there are some real significant gains to be had by enhancing your business’ Web site. By doing some basic blocking and tackling online, MSPs can start to leverage their Web presence to boost their pipelines.
M&A: Ancero Seeks Additional Managed Services Acquisitions
Posted January 13th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Ancero LLC, which acquired a neighboring managed services provider (MSP) earlier this month, remains on the acquisition trail, according to an Ancero spokesperson. Here’s a closer look at Ancero’s decision to buy New Jersey neighbor Integrated Network Consulting Inc. (INC), plus some next potential moves for the company.
Managed Services Acquisition: Ancero Buys INC
Posted January 13th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Say hello to the seventh managed services acquisition in 2011. This one involves two New Jersey managed services providers getting hitched. Specifically, Ancero LLC has acquired Integrated Network Consulting Inc. I’ve got seven questions about the deal. Plus, a broader update on MSP M&A activity.
LogMeIn Ignition Gains Android Tablet Support
Posted January 13th, 2011 by Dave Courbanou
LogMeIn is bringing new remote access features to Android, specifically for the tablets. That’s good news for the Android community and good news for support on the whole for mobility and IT consumerization. Read on for the quick details about LogMeIn’s new capabilities that are available now.
ePlus: From Managed Services to Cloud Services
Posted January 12th, 2011 by Sponsored Video
Sponsored Video: ePlus Inc. is one of the best-known IT solutions providers working within the managed services market. During the company’s Q2 2010 quarter, ePlus revenues surged 35.8 percent to $234.5 million. But that doesn’t mean ePlus is resting on its laurels. Indeed, Director of Managed Services Tarun Sondhi is helping ePlus to push beyond managed services into the cloud services market. Sondhi describes the effort in this FastChat Video.
Top Vertical Market MSPs Are Growing 50 Percent Annually
Posted January 12th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
At first glance, HEIT and ETG — two top managed services providers — have very little in common. While HEIT focuses on financial services and community banks, ETG makes its entire living in the health care market. As a result, HEIT and ETG never run into each other in the market. Yet they have one key trait in common: Both companies grew their recurring revenues roughly 50 percent in 2010 vs. 2009. Can those growth rates continue in 2011?
Circle 2 Dates: Managed Services Webcasts & MSPmentor 100 List
Posted January 12th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor will host two timely webcasts for established and aspiring managed services providers over the next few weeks. On January 26, MSPmentor Live will explore the key questions MSPs must ask before upgrading their RMM (remote monitoring and management) software platforms and before purchasing new platforms. And on February 16, MSPmentor Live will unveil the annual MSPmentor 100 list and survey results. Here’s some more background on each webcast.
Help Wanted: Key Managed Services Job Opportunities for You
Posted January 12th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Unhappy in your job? Looking to make a career change within the managed services market? The MSPmentor Job board is pretty darn active. Check the updated job board and you’ll find multiple opportunities (involving sales, technology and marketing backgrounds) have popped since the New Year started. Or, post a free ad to promote a career opportunity at your company. Take a look.
Managed Services Acquisition: NetGain Buys DLP Technologies
Posted January 12th, 2011 by Dave Courbanou
Say hello to the sixth managed services merger or acquisition that MSPmentor has spotted so far in 2011. This one involves NetGain, No. 28 on last year’s MSPmentor 100 list, acquiring DLP to push into the Cincinnati, Ohio, market. Here are the details.
SohoOS: Business Management Software for Micro MSPs?
Posted January 12th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
No doubt, thousands of aspiring managed services providers (MSPs) and VARs are micro businesses — sometimes built by one employee and a string of contractors. Eager to reach that crowd, SohoOS has developed a free business management platform that includes contact management, payment processing, marketing tools, customized reports and more. Here’s the background.
ExtraHop Networks and Keynote Systems Partner on Application Monitoring
Posted January 12th, 2011 by Matthew Weinberger
This may the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of the managed services world: ExtraHop Networks, which specializes in the so-called “inside looking out” data center view, and Keynote Systems, which provides application performance perspective from the “outside looking in,” have partnered to provide a unified network transaction analysis product. But let’s put aside the companies’ official language and take a closer look.
Ask a Mentor: How to Set Managed Services Prices?
Posted January 11th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Each Tuesday, MSPmentor’s Ask a Mentor service publishes a reader question and invites you to weigh in with recommendations. This week’s question comes from an MSP based in Florida. Here’s the question and our reply…
MSPs: Switching From Bonuses to Open Book Profit Sharing?
Posted January 11th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Nick Bock, CEO of Five Nines Technology Group, is opening his financial books to his employees. And at the same time, Five Nines has shifted from traditional bonus plans to a company profit sharing plan. The results sound promising. And Bock sounds pretty upbeat about his managed services business for 2011. Here’s why.
CoreConnex Intensifies Focus on MSP Business Intelligence
Posted January 11th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
CoreConnex develops a financial dashboard for small business VARs and MSPs (managed services providers). But listen closely to CoreConnex CEO Frank Coker, and you’ll hear a strategy that will potentially transform CoreConnex into more of a business intelligence company that helps solutions providers to track their performance vs. the overall managed services market.
Microholdings US Makes Managed Services Acquisition
Posted January 10th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Microholdings US has acquired ConnectIT Networks Inc., a managed services provider in Canada. We’ve reached out to Microholdings US and ConnectIT Networks for additional comment about the deal. In the meantime, here’s what we know so far.
New York MSP Pushes Into Connecticut
Posted January 10th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Pragmatix, Inc., a managed IT services provider in New York, has opened a Stamford, Conn., location. The move reinforces Pragmatix’s growing focus on the financial services vertical. And from where I sit, an MSP taking on more office space is a good sign for the overall managed services market.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: Jan. 7
Posted January 7th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
After a week like this — four MSP acquisitions in five days — what the heck is the managed services industry going to do for an encore? MSPmentor doesn’t have the answer yet. But we’re certainly hearing plenty of new developments. Here are a few of them, including seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor didn’t have time to write for the week ending January 7, 2011.
