MSPmentor

I’m running a bit late with quite a few things — including this blog entry. After last week’s Parallels Summit in Orlando, I’m heading out later today to Cisco Partner Summit in New Orleans. But before I catch my flight here are seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending February 25, 2011.

7. Something Is Brewing: Dell insiders say the company is mulling partner certifications for SaaS, cloud computing and managed services. Details are still emerging but I suspect we’ll post some deeper information something this week on TalkinCloud.

6. Peace of Mind: NetEnrich, which positions itself as an IT as a service (ITaaS) specialist for the channel, has teamed with OPSWAT to help its solutions providers deliver improved endpoint security and privacy to their clients. According to a joint announcement, OPSWAT provides software management tools and data security services that make it easier for NetEnrich’s Network Operating Center (NOC) team to remotely manage IT security. As you may recall, former Ingram Micro VP Justin Crotty joined NetEnrich in mid-2010.

5. On the Schedule: Ingram Micro plans to host a second-annual Ingram Micro Cloud Summit in Arizona. The rumored date: June 1-3. I’m still poking around for more details. In the meantime, Ingram Micro VP of Managed Services and Cloud Computing Renee Bergeron claims Ingram is the top cloud aggregator in the IT channel.

4. Glass Half Full or Half Empty?: Cisco Channel Chief Edison Peres sure sounds optimistic and Cisco is set to announce a cloud computing partner program this week. But some partners worry Cisco is focused on too many different priorities. I hope to deliver a reality check during this week’s Cisco Partner Summit.

3. Integrated: Zenith Infotech and Tigerpaw Software are expected to announce the integration of their respective managed services and PSA (professional services automation) software the week of Feb. 28. Stay tuned.

2. Deeper Perspectives, Please: As I’ve mentioned a few times in recent weeks, both Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie and LabTech Software CEO Matt Nachtrab have shared some deeper business insights with me. I’ve finally had some time to organize my own thoughts and plan to post a few blogs this week about both executives and their strategies for 2011.

1. Life-Work Balance: I followed some advice life-work balance advice from HTG Peer Groups Founder Arlin Sorensen on Feb. 25. Instead of writing this blog entry, I disappeared with my 10-year-old son for the day. We built some memories that will last a lifetime. And I managed to recharge a bit before heading off to Cisco Partner Summit later today. Thanks to Sorensen for the life-work balance worksheet. My scores are still weak… but improving.

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