Len DiCostanzo (pictured), senior VP of business development at Autotask Corp., is set to lead the Autotask Community, sources say. The move helps to clarify Autotask’s partner strategy, which briefly faced question marks amid former community leader Jay McBain’s departure. Here’s the update.
First, the latest chatter. Multiple sources now confirm that DiCostanzo will assume leadership of the Autotask Community, which includes key MVPs who influence how Autotask’s software is developed for VARs, MSPs and IT service providers. According to his bio, DiCostanzo joined Autotask in 2008. Since that time, DiCostanzo has led hundreds of Autotask training seminars — both online and face to face. He previously owned an IT services firm.
Community Moves
I believe DiCostanzo will retain his existing responsibilities (senior VP of business development and dean of Autotask Academy). DiCostanzo takes on the additional community role vacated by former Autotask Senior VP Jay McBain. In August, McBain ended day-to-day work at the company but he remains available to assist Autotask with any transition efforts.
Going forward, I would expect Autotask to shine an even brighter light toward the company’s online community, which includes forums, blogs and interactive areas where Autotask users can interact with one another and the Autotask team. Also, Autotask continues to march forward with its Autotask Community On Tour — a multi-city event series.
By appointing DiCostanzo to lead Autotask Community, the software company answers a key question that had been circulating among some Autotask MVPs. In a recent open letter to Autotask, Osama M. Faris, president and CEO of FAR Support, asked Autotask to clarify its community strategy amid McBain’s departure. Faris is listed as an Autotask 2011 MVP. DiCostanzo is well-known among most established Autotask users and partners.
Reading Between the Lines
Still, McBain’s departure caught the Autotask Community off guard, but I think it’s a sign of transition at Autotask. The software company has undergone multiple management changes since Mark Cattini succeeded Bob Godgart as CEO in December 2010. Instead of building a “me too” face-to-face community to counter the strong ConnectWise user group model, I think Cattini has focused his efforts on the following:
- A cloud-centric back-end with open APIs, tied to an open front-end strategy involving all major web browsers.
- A global expansion strategy that involves new efforts in the United Kingdom and Germany, among other locations.
- A management team expansion that includes more enterprise expertise and some veterans of MapInfo Corp. — a company that Cattini previously led and sold to Pitney Bowes in 2007.
And as for DiCostanzo: It sounds like he’ll remain a road warrior, leading the company’s community and education efforts.
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Posted In: Cloud Computing | Partner Program | Professional Services Automation (PSA)
Tags: Autotask Community Live! | Autotask Community On Tour | ConnectWise User Groups | FAR Support | Jay McBain | Len DiCostanzo | Mark Cattini | Osama Faris
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I will miss Jay. Since he came onboard with Autotask, I have had the pleasure of attending many events with him and found him a great guy always willing to really talk with you.
That being said I have known Len longer and am really glad to see a well known, trusted face take this role. His presentations are always learning experiences and his stories are even better. I look forward to congratulating him in just a few hours at Autotask Community on Tour in Cincinnati.
Mathew Adkins
VanGuard Technologies
http://www.vanguardtech.net
Great Move! Len is a great guy! I’ve met him a few times at Community Live and attended one of his bootcamps.
In my limited dealings with him he offered great first person business advice and it doesn’t hurt that he’s not afraid to buy a drink:)
All & all as an Autotask user, very happy to hear about this move.
Congrats Len!
Kevin: Thanks for reading MSPmentor. I’ve yet to speak with Len about the alleged community role but multiple sources say it’s official. If we hear more we’ll share updates.
Matthew: I think Len offers the Autotask community a familiar face and consistency of message. Let me know how the On Tour meetings went.
Best,
-jp
GFI have been working closely with Autotask over the last 6 months, Len is a fantastic guy who will do very well in this new role.
A very likeable and knowledgeable guy when it comes to Managed Services and PSA, I think he’ll do extremely well at this and wish him all the best from everyone at GFIMAX!
Joe,
I spoke with Len last evening about the Autotask Community and the On Tour road show. As an Autotask MVP, I truly believe that the Autotask Community will thrive under Len’s leadership. My good friend, Jay McBain did an amazing job in bringing the Community together, I know that Len will pick up where Jay left off. I would expect great things to come out of the Autotask Community, just sit back and watch.
Stu
Len’s energy and passion for what he does makes him a great choice to lead the community efforts at Autotask.
It’s interesting to watch the changes as the market has matured around the PSA space. With new entries into the market there’s definitely something brewing in the PSA space.
Thanks for the positive comments. While most Autotask customers know I have always been interested in their success, I am looking forward to working more closely with the Autotask Community.
David@3, Stuart@4: Thanks for adding some color commentary based on your own interactions with Len.
Rob@5: We’re tracking a few additional companies in the PSA market — though they compete outside the realm of managed services. More perspectives soon.
Len@6: Safe travels and thanks for taking the time to close the loop with MSPmentor’s readers.
-jp
Congrats to Len! The Cincinnati Community Roadshow was a big success today and I look forward to working with Len on many projects to help the channel community drive success.