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Microsoft: Long Live the Windows Brand
Posted July 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Proving again that you can’t always trust the blogosphere, there’s a rumor Microsoft may eventually drop the Windows brand. But before you go chasing the rumor to see if it’s true consider the facts: Instead of abandoning the Windows brand, Microsoft continues to extend it into the PC management and cloud markets.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: July 15
Posted July 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Much of the managed services market spent this week at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2011 (WPC11) in Los Angeles. But there was plenty of managed services news elsewhere. In fact, here are seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor didn’t have time to write for the week ending July 15, 2011.
How to Build a Service Desk: Five Tips for MSPs
Posted July 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor hears lots of debate about MSP service desks — should you build your own or outsource the function? Before you answer that question, please join us for the next MSPmentor Live Webcast, scheduled for Wednesday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. The topic: Building Your Service Desk to Build Business: 5 Tips for Success. Two leading MSPs — Dustin Tornow from MSN Communications and Thiru Sadogopan from Apps Associates — will share their tips and answer your questions. Plus, Sandeep Soman from Nimsoft (the event’s sponsor) will be on hand to offer additional insights. Register here to join us and pose your questions during the webcast.
NTRglobal’s Managed Services Partner Strategy Takes Shape
Posted July 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
NTRglobal, best-known for its remote support software, is quietly developing a range of partnerships in the managed services software market. So far, the NTRglobal moves include relationships with ConnectWise, BMC and N-able. But I get the sense that more relationships are coming.
Caringo Claims RAID Limitations Trigger Data Center Risks
Posted July 15th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
For MSPs using RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) within data centers, Caringo offers the the following warning: RAID technologies may not protect against very serious data loss. Caringo claims that the growth of fixed content and hard disk drive (HDD) capacity had turned RAID into “a problem waiting to happen in your data center.” Predictably, Caringo is ready to pitch channel partners an alternative solution.
Happy Birthday Corporate Technologies LLC
Posted July 15th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
Corporate Technologies LLC, an MSPmentor 100 company in 2010 and Talkin’ Cloud 50 company, has turned 30 years old — a rather remarkable achievement considering thousands of VARs and MSPs start up and shut down each year. Here’s a snapshot look at the company’s rather impressive track record.
Managed Services Acquisition: TDS Acquires OneNeck IT Services
Posted July 15th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
Telephone and Data Systems Inc., a subsidiary of TDS Hosted and Managed Services (TDS HMS), has acquired OneNeck IT Services from WestView Capital Partners. The move surfaces roughly one month after TDS HMS hired Nimsoft veteran Phil LaForge to help drive the company’s merger and acquisition strategy, though we don’t know if LaForge was involved in this particular deal.
Autotask Readies On Tour Road Show
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask is marching forward with its On Tour road show strategy, which will start in mid-September and visit 15 cities initially. The On Tour show is a reboot of sorts for Autoask. The company hosts a successful annual conference — called Autotask Community Live. But Autotask’s attempt to build face-to-face community-oriented events didn’t gain much traction in 2010.
PacketTrap Introduces New Software Licensing Model for MSPs
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
PacketTrap MSP, part of Quest Software, has introduced a new licensing model for managed services providers. In addition to PacketTrap MSP’s existing “per node” model, PacketTrap now offers a “per customer — site license” option, according to PacketTrap’s Mike Byrne. Here’s what motivated the move.
HP, Hexaware to Expand on Mobile Application Partnership
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
In early July we discussed the HP mobile application testing lab that Hexaware built in Saltillo, Mex. in March 2011. And as promised, I spoke with Hexaware and HP Brass this week to learn more about HP-Hexaware joint initiatives.
SMBs Increasingly Turn to Cloud Storage
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Dan Berthiaume
A new study from AMI Partners suggests U.S. small and midsize businesses will increase their spending on backup and storage in the cloud by 11 percent yearly through 2015, reaching $270 million. Based purely on some educated guesses, MSPmentor thinks the forecast is a bit too conservative.
StillSecure MFA Service to Provide Higher Level of Security
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
StillSecure, the network security software provider, has released its new Managed Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Service. StillSecure Vice President of Business Development Steve Harper says the service is designed for customers that need to comply with HIPAA, PCI and other security standards.
Nimsoft Monitor Expands Cisco UCS Capabilities
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
Nimsoft‘s remote monitoring and management (RMM) software, called Nimsoft Monitor, has expanded its ability to manage Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) data centers. Nimsoft Senior Principal Product Manager Andy Kicklighter said the extended capabilities will help Nimsoft moving toward its goal of becoming “a full modern IT infrastructure management provider for MSPs.” The announcement surfaced at Cisco Live in Las Vegas, Nev.
N-Able: Connecting Dots Between Managed Print and Copiers?
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
N-Able Technologies is taking steps to help MSPs manage customers’ copier equipment. The effort involves a closer working relationship with International Business Products Inc., a buying group that helps members purchase printers, copiers, accessories supplies and services for the U.S. market.
Spiceworks RFQ System Links SMBs With MSPs
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Matthew Weinberger
Spiceworks, the free help desk and remote management platform, is getting an update in the form of a Request for Quote (RFQ) feature. The RFQ capability brings the purchasing of business technology and services out to the social network. Here’s the scoop.
28 Insights From Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference
Posted July 13th, 2011 by The VAR Guy
Sure, The VAR Guy loves managed services providers. But The VAR Guy also enjoys timely gossip, chatter and insider dialog even more — including these 28 insights from Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, posted on The VAR Guy’s own website.
Microsoft Office 365 Cloud Billing Policy: An Update
Posted July 13th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
At Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2011 (WPC11), the software giant has successfully communicated momentum on a number of fronts — everything from Windows Azure adoption to Windows 7 deployments. But there’s an elephant in the room for some MSPs. At times I’ve ignored it, minimized it and turn away from it. Still, there’s no denying that Microsoft’s cloud billing policies continue to annoy some very influential managed services providers (MSPs) here at WPC11.
rPath Develops OpenStack Compute Appliance
Posted July 13th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
OS33 Continues Managed Services Platform Enhancements
Posted July 13th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
OS33 continues to enhance and refine its IT-as-a-Service delivery platform for MSPs. Director of Software Engineering Alex Osipov gave me the rundown on the platform’s three main enhancements, and the potential implications for managed services providers.
Backupify Readies Managed Services Partner Program
Posted July 13th, 2011 by John Moore
Backupify, a cloud data backup company, is launching a reseller program that includes managed services providers. The Cambridge, Mass.-based firm offers an archiving, search and restore service for Google Apps and social media accounts. Backupify targets both consumers and businesses and will enlist service providers to help with the latter market. MSPs already represent a Google Apps channel into small businesses. Backupify wants to equip MSPs with another service they can offer those customers.
Microsoft-Parallels Pact Targets Healthcare Partners
Posted July 13th, 2011 by John Moore
Microsoft and Parallels this week at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2011 (WPC11) announced a two-year pact to offer a cloud automation bundle geared toward the health industry. Both companies contribute technology to the mix. Parallels Automation provides a system for delivering, managing and billing cloud services. Microsoft, meanwhile, will kick in Microsoft System Center, Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, Lync Server and Hyper-V. Here’s a closer look at the relationship.
Help Your SMB Customers Serve Their Customers
Posted July 13th, 2011 by Dan Berthiaume
When MSPs think about the benefits they provide their SMB clientele, they probably focus on internal efficiencies that can benefit the bottom line. But MSPs need to take a broader look at how their services can aid all aspects of an SMB’s operations. For example, managed contact center services can aid your SMBs clientele in providing high quality customer service, and even in charging a premium for them.
Microsoft’s Next Moves for Windows Intune
Posted July 13th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Where is Windows Intune heading next? And where do managed services providers (MSPs) potentially fit into the conversation? MSPmentor found some answers at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2011 (WPC11).
