MSPmentor

So much for a summer break here in North America. The channel conference machine is preparing to rev its engine again. Some MSPmentor readers are hitting the road over the next few weeks — surfacing at CompTIA Breakaway, HostingCon, VMworld and XChange, among other destinations. But before you head to your local airport here are seven managed services blogs that MSPmentor didn’t have time to write for the week ending July 29, 2011.

Read More >

Microsoft is expected to update its Windows 8 strategy during a new conference called BUILD (Sept. 13-16, Anaheim, Calif.). A teaser for the event suggests that Windows 8 will have a bigger market impact than the Windows 95 launch back in August 1995. Details about BUILD are still sketchy but MSPmentor has to ask the obvious question: Can Microsoft once again spark the imagination of ISVs (independent software developers) with Windows 8′s touch interface?

Read More >

Consider this riddle: How can VARs and MSPs monitor — and enforce — their service level agreements (SLAs) with cloud service providers? CA Technologies may have solved that riddle by acquiring WatchMouse today. The CA-WatchMouse deal also shows how CA is targeting acquisitions that bolster multiple CA divisions and products — including Nimsoft and CA Application Performance Management (APM).

Read More >

Dell SecureWorks and Palo Alto Networks are partnering to promote managed firewall security services. The big question: Where do Dell PartnerDirect members — VARs, MSPs and even cloud service providers — potentially fit into the Dell-Palo Alto strategy? Here’s some insight.

Read More >

Comtrend Corp., which develops networking equipment, has launched an Early Adopter Program (EAP) for its service provider partners. Participating service providers can test Comtrend’s hardware and software — and offer feedback — before the products are released in North America.

Read More >

Does the executive suite have room for one more CXO? Apparently yes. Within the managed services and cloud services markets, we’re hearing from more and more companies that have hired or promoted vice presidents into the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) position. But what exactly does a CRO do: Drive sales? Lead marketing? Offer vision? Based on recent moves at Compu-Call Inc. (CCI) and Doyenz, here are some insights.

Read More >

After several months of rumors, Kaseya and Symantec are preparing to announce deeper software integrations. The emerging relationship could help MSPs (managed services providers) to remotely manage Symantec Backup Exec — whether the storage software runs on-premise or perhaps even in the cloud. Here’s the update.

Read More >

The times they are a changing. Our fourth-annual MSPmentor 250 list is set to debut the week of August 1. The MSPmentor 250 will help you to rapidly build a Rolodex containing managed services experts, entrepreneurs and executive names. But there are big changes to this year’s MSPmentor 250. In fact, here are eight well-known industry names who didn’t make this year’s edition…

Read More >

It’s been roughly a year since Israel-based Totango began developing an analytics platform to help SaaS providers understand how clients use their solutions. On July 28, Totango moved its platform into public beta. What’s next? Totango CEO and Co-Founder Guy Nirpaz gave me some insights.

Read More >

Roughly eight years ago, a group of employees at Agency.com were hunting for a professional service automation (PSA) platform to support the digital marketing firm. Agency.com was unable to find the proper PSA solution to meet the company’s needs — so they built their own application.

Read More >

Kaseya this week launched an Imaging and Deployment Module. If it works as advertised, the module could help managed service providers to more easily automate upgrades to Windows 7. And on the flip-side, the Kaseya module could help MSPs to “downgrade” or remotely wipe computers, returning them to a known state (pre-virus infection, for instance) for proper use. Is Kaseya breaking new ground here?

Read More >

If there weren’t already enough reasons to embrace ITIL (the Information Technology Infrastructure Library), here’s one more to add to the list: Over the past few years, I’ve heard about all kinds of benefits MSPs gain by aligning their service desk operations with ITIL. That includes improved operational efficiency, optimized service levels that fuel better market traction, and the list does go on.

Read More >

Our team is working on two upcoming Webcasts. I hope you’ll join us for both of them. First up: On August 10 at 2:00 p.m. eastern we’ll explore Selling Secure Cloud Data Protection and Recovery to SMB Customers. Or, more precisely: Our guest experts will help you understand how to select, promote and sell a cloud storage solution to your customers. Next: On August 24 at 2:00 p.m. eastern, we’ll explore Five Steps to Building Winning Sales Proposals for VARs and MSPs. Registration is now open for both webcasts. And we’ll be sure to take your questions throughout both live events.

Read More >

More thn 3,000 students and staff throughout the Boaz City School District in Alabama will soon be able to text and browse the net straight from their smartphones and mobile devices. Amer Networks, a networking, storage and security product developer and provider, is helping the school district to roll out the cloud-managed WiFi solution.

Read More >

ScienceLogic, which develops IT management software for enterprises and service providers, is aggressively pursuing virtualization and cloud opportunities. What’s the strategy? I caught up with CEO Dave Link and other ScienceLogic executive team members. Here’s some perspective.

Read More >

Whaleback Systems, Inc. is rolling out a suite of cloud-based managed services to expand its market reach. Whaleback, already known for its managed VoIP services, has 600-plus customers and 12,000-plus endpoint users throughout the U.S. So what’s coming next? Here are some clues.

Read More >

How do employees really feel about your company? And how does your CEO really feel about his or her employees? Surveys, annual reviews and other “formal” processes can help you answer those questions. But sometimes the answers come from far simpler interactions. And those interactions can shape your corporate culture for years to come. Let me give you a few examples.

Read More >

Vembu Technologies, a storage software specialist, is taking steps to more aggressively engage managed services providers. The latest example: Vembu’s StoreGrid Service Provider Edition is now integrated with Autotask, the PSA (professional services automation) platform. Here’s a closer look at how Vembu has been evolving over the past two years or so.

Read More >

In late June, DataCore was busy promoting virtualized storage solutions for MSPs. Now DataCore Software has developed an automated tiering system for storage disks to be used with its SANsymphony-V 8.0 storage virtualization software. Traditionally, auto-tiering has been exclusive to high-end storage users, the company says. But DataCore’s auto-tiering system claims to be unique because it works across all vendors and systems. It can be applied to any storage solution through an added software layer.

Read More >

Ingram Micro, the massive distributor, has developed Ingram Micro Merchant Services to make it easier and more profitable MSPs and VARs in the United States to sell merchant services. Here’s some perspective on the effort.

Read More >

Which campus isn’t looking to save a buck these days? Some colleges and universities are cutting classes, downsizing staff, even closing campus extensions in order to save a dollar. But, as Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio claims, there’s a less dramatic way to save money: managed print services.

Read More >

When it comes to vertical market managed services, MSPmentor focuses considerable attention on health care and financial services. But perhaps it’s time for MSPs to focus some time on life sciences customers — which includes businesses focused on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical equipment. The reason: The life sciences vertical is attracting investment money, which means life sciences companies have money to spend — though they don’t necessarily want a huge IT infrastructure.

Read More >

CentraStage, which develops cloud-based remote monitoring software, is preparing August and September surprises for its managed services partners — including some sort of freemium offer for MSPs. The big question: Can CentraStage — based in Europe — somehow disrupt the remote monitoring and management (RMM) software market in North America? Here’s an update.

Read More >