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Memo to MSPs: Charge for Your Managed Print Assessments
Posted May 5th, 2011 by Dave Courbanou
The Managed Print Services Conference this week in Orlando, Fla., contained a swath of breakout sessions, with topics ranging from end-user experience panels to reseller practices. But what’s the key to success with managed print services? Gary McCone, CEO of Preo Software, says success starts with effective customer assessments. And by the way: McCone says customer assessments should not be free. Here’s why.
Managed Print Services: What Comes Next?
Posted May 5th, 2011 by Dave Courbanou
Peter Sheahan, author of FL!P” and “Generation Y, spoke at the Managed Print Services Conference this week in Orlando, Fla. Sheahan’s premise: Business markets and industries are changing faster than ever. And that includes managed print services. So how can channel partners stay ahead of the curve? Sheahan offered a few ideas.
StillSecure Promotes Managed PCI Compliance Solution
Posted May 5th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
StillSecure is trying to help managed services providers cash in on the PCI security standard. Indeed, the company is promoting PCI Complete, a managed PCI compliance solution.
ConnectWise Capital: Quosal CEO Discusses Investment
Posted May 5th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The rumors were true. ConnectWise Capital has invested in Quosal, the sales quoting and IT product sourcing tool for VARs and managed services providers. Quosal President and CEO Kent S. McNall discusses the ConnectWise Capital-Quosal deal in this MSPmentor FastChat Video.
My Dead Notebook: Cloud Backup and Restore Don’t Fail Me Now
Posted May 5th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The day is off to a depressing start. I’m blogging from my iPad because my laptop’s hard drive died last night. But the bad news could have a decent ending. This is my third hard drive failure in three years — and for the first time all of my data is backed up in the cloud. Also, I’m fortunate to be surrounded by MSPs who offered good advice here at the HTG Peer Groups Spring Conference in Dallas. I’d like to thank several of those folks…
Managed Print Services: It’s All About Trust
Posted May 4th, 2011 by Dave Courbanou
At the Managed Print Services Conference in Orlando, Fla., this week, Photizo Group CEO and Founder Edward Crowley and Auxilio CEO Joseph Flynn shared a familiar recipe for successful customer engagements: Dedication and trust, with a heaping tablespoon of education. Those seem to be the ongoing themes here, and the keynote was replete with ideas on how MSPs and VARs could start tackling managed print services (MPS) But wait, there’s more…
ConnectWise Capital Investment In Quosal: Statement Soon?
Posted May 4th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Additional sources have confirmed ConnectWise Capital‘s investment in Quosal, a tool that allows VARs and MSPs to develop customer business proposals and source IT products from distributors. Sources say the move may be announced at the HTG Peer Groups Spring Conference here in Dallas. The move continues to intrigue me for multiple reasons. Here’s the update… plus some speculation.
HTG Launches Emergency Fund, Support for Member MSPs
Posted May 4th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
HTG Peer Groups, as expected, today launched Hands That Give — an emergency fund and support network that helps member managed services providers (MSPs) during times of business or personal crisis. At first glance, Hands That Give is an emergency insurance policy for HTG’s members. But take a closer look, and you’ll discover Hands That Give involves MSPs and several IT vendors giving time and support to peers, notes Arlin Sorensen (pictured), founder of HTG. Sorensen unveiled the program during the HTG Peer Groups Spring Conference in Dallas, Texas, this morning.
Kaseya Service Desk Meets ConnectWise, Autotask & Tigerpaw
Posted May 4th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Kaseya yesterday disclosed a PSA integration strategy for the ConnectWise, Autotask and Tigerpaw Software platforms. In an MSPmentor FastChat Video, I’ve captured details of the strategy from Kaseya Executive VP Jim Alves. But here’s what I’m wondering: Is Kaseya trying to use the PSA integration software as a trojan horse that ultimately promotes Kaseya Service Desk software?
HTG Peer Groups Dallas: Five Trends Worth Watching
Posted May 4th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Roughly 500 MSPs, IT service providers and technology companies are gathered this week for the HTG Peer Groups Spring 2011 meeting in Dallas, Texas. So what’s the chatter so far? I’ve just arrived at the event but here are five quick pieces of information worth noting so far.
10 Make or Break Questions to Ask Your Cloud Computing Vendor
Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Renee Bergeron
There’s no doubt that high energy and excitement surround the promise of cloud computing. As a transformational technology, cloud computing is a catalyst for change within the IT landscape because it helps companies of all sizes more efficiently use their hardware and software investments, while also fostering innovation. Subscription-based cloud platforms can save business owners money on initial IT outlays, enabling them to reinvest in improving customer service. It can be an all around win-win. Still, the cloud is not without its perils, potholes and pitfalls. As a customer considering the cloud, your first priority is to focus on finding the right solution to meet your business needs.
N-able Launches N-central 8.0 for SMB Managed Services Providers
Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
N-able Technologies, as expected, has launched N-central 8.0 — the newest version of its remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform for MSP’s and IT departments. N-central 8.0 debuts amid intensifying managed services software competition — most of the major RMM providers have launched major software upgrades in recent months. But N-able has a loyal partner base plus a pure channel-centric sales model for MSPs and mid-market customers. Here’s a closer look at the N-able N-central 8.0 strategy.
Kaseya Connect User Conference: Six Highlights From Day One
Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Day Two of the Kaseya Connect User Conference is set to start in about an hour. Roughly 400 to 500 MSPs and technology partners are attending the event here in Las Vegas. There’s been plenty of official managed services news here — including Kaseya’s buyout of Intellipool and a mobile device management demo that wowed attendees. But some of the most interesting managed services chatter occurred in the hallways and during a dinner reception last night. So, here are six observations gathered behind the scenes at the conference.
The 7 Steps to Building a Sustainable Growth Business
Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Steven S. Little (pictured), a business growth expert, is keynoting the Kaseya Connect User Conference today in Las Vegas. He’s onstage now, sharing the seven key steps for building a sustainable growth business. No doubt, the tips apply to managed services providers (MSPs), VARs and privately held SMBs. Here are the tips, straight from Little.
Kaseya Discloses PSA Integration Strategy for MSPs
Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Kaseya Executive VP Jim Alves is on stage discussing the company’s PSA (professional services automation) integration strategy today at the Kaseya Connect User Conference in Las Vegas. New, Kaseya-built integrations are coming for ConnectWise, Autotask and Tigerpaw Software, Alves said. He also promised attendees — nearly 500 managed services providers — that they would not get caught in an integration debate between Kaseya and PSA software companies.
Kaseya Mobile Device Management Demo Impresses MSPs
Posted May 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
It was only beta software. And it was only a demo. But attendees were impressed. Kaseya President Mark Sutherland and VP Mike Sheffey demonstrated Mobile Device Management software at the Kaseya Connect User Conference in Las Vegas a few minutes ago. The impact: Several hundred MSPs reacted with strong applause.
Rumor: ConnectWise Capital Investing in Quosal?
Posted May 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The rumor mill is particularly active tonight. The tip: A couple of trusted sources suggest ConnectWise Capital has made its third investment. The alleged partner: Quosal, a popular quoting software and proposal system for VARs and MSPs. The move, if true, could allow ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini to reinforce and extend his “modern office” vision. The potential ConnectWise Capital-Quosal relationship also would set up some interesting competitive showdowns in the MSP software market.
Kaseya Acquires Intellipool and Discloses Product Roadmap
Posted May 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Kaseya has acquired Intellipool AB, a network performance monitoring company in Harnosand, Sweden. Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie disclosed the news minutes ago at the Kaseya Connect User Conference in Las Vegas. Addressing roughly 500 MSPs and technology partners, Blackie descried Intellipool as a rival to SolarWinds. Kaseya is also introducing a certification for Kaseya users. Here’s a recap, including an update on Kaseya’s product roadmap.
Five Questions for Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie
Posted May 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie is set to kick off the Kaseya Connect User Conference in Las Vegas around 11:30 a.m. eastern today. A few hundred MSPs and some VARs are attending. So what’s on tap for Kaseya here at the conference? Here are five questions I hope to pose to Blackie and other Kaseya leaders over the next two days.
Never Forget Those We Lost on 9/11
Posted May 1st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
When I landed in Las Vegas for the Kaseya Connect User Conference this evening, I spotted the rumors on Twitter: Osama Bin Laden was dead. By around 10:30 p.m. eastern, multiple news sources confirmed the rumors. And as of 11:22 p.m. eastern, the nation was still awaiting an official statement from President Obama. I’ll leave the news and the analysis to the mainstream media. Instead, news of Bin Laden’s death instantly transports me back to 9/11, and those we lost on that fateful day.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: April 29
Posted May 1st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Greetings from 30,000 feet. I’m flying to the Kaseya Connect User Conference today, before proceeding to the HTG Dallas conference on May 3. It’s shaping up to be a busy week. But before MSPmentor embarks on its next round of content, here are seven managed services blog entries that we didn’t have time to write for the week ending April 29, 2011.
