MSPmentor

Zenprise, a mobile device management specialist, has pushed into Apple iOS 5 support while raising $30 million. Zenprise, which also supports Google Android, RIM BlackBerry and Windows mobile devices, plans to use the new financing to accelerate its R&D and global initiatives.

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Kaseya continues to launch more software modules for its IT automation platform. In recent weeks MSPmentor has tracked everything from Kaseya’s Software Deployment and Update Module to the Imaging and Deployment Module and a Mobile Device Management solution. Now, Kaseya is trying to put all the announcements in context, asserting that the modules and software updates were designed to work with one another — giving MSPs a single pane of glass to manage customer networks.

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For many SMBs, “safe” web surfing is an oxymoron. Those companies — knowingly or unknowingly — put themselves and their employees at risk because of lax IT security standards.  As demonstrated by a new survey from GFI Software, the problem is more pervasive than you may think. Overall, 40% of SMBs have experienced a security breach resulting from employees navigating to a site that hosted malware. Ouch. What’s the solution?

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ManageEngine , which develops managed services and IT service desk software, has launched three new products designed for MSPs and IT administrators. The featured product is the VQManager Distributed Edition, which helps MSPs maintain VoIP networks for customers. Here are the details.

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Nodeable, a startup, is trying to connect the dots between systems management, cloud computing and social media. The company has launched a private beta of its cloud infrastructure management platform. Nodeable claims the platform is a bit like using FaceBook- or LinkedIn-type social media to manage cloud infrastructure.

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Anecdotal evidence suggests Microsoft Lync — the unified communications platform — continues to gain momentum. For instance, both Volkswagen Group of America and LA Fitness have rolled out Lync, the software giant says. Plus, the Microsoft Pinpoint partner locator tool now lists at least 100 Lync channel partners across the U.S. My bigger question: Can MSPs somehow generate recurring revenues from Lync?

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Google is seeking to train IT help desks and service desks to support Google Chromebooks — which are low-cost cloud notebooks that run Chrome OS. Admittedly, Google Chromebooks remain in their infancy. Chromebooks, built by Acer and Samsung, debuted in June 2011 and cost businesses about $30 per user per month. I haven’t heard about widespread Chromebook deployments but I’m curious to see if any IT help desk providers start to offer Chromebook support.

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MSPmentor will host its first Executive Boardroom in New York on Tuesday, October 25. During this exclusive event, we’ll review how top MSPs are pushing into cloud services — either through strategic partnerships or via home-grown solutions. Our confirmed guest speakers during this roundtable discussion include ScaleMatrix CEO Mark Ortenzi, Mycroft CISO Liz Mann and CA Technologies GM Adam Famularo. Here are more details.

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SMBs are increasingly investing in sophisticated communications technologies. But the quest for true unified communications (UC) remains elusive for most SMBs, according to a new study from IDC. Many SMBs may not even realize they are taking steps toward a UC environment. That’s where MSPs can enter the picture.

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The managed print services market continues to see small signs of progress. One example: Xerox has unveiled a free mobile print and wireless MFP solution for its reseller partners. The announcement reinforces managed print moves that the company unveiled at Xerox Partner Summit back in April 2011. Here’s the update.

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Plenty of job opportunities are still up for grabs on the MSPmentor Job Board. Most of the job listings involve IT careers within managed services, cloud services and IT support. Here’s a refresher on our Job Board’s most recent postings.

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Fully Managed, a managed services provider in Vancouver and Edmonton, has extended its IT service and support portfolio to include Apple Mac and Apple iOS (iPhone and iPad) devices. It’s the latest reminder that a small — but growing — number of MSPs are pushing beyond Windows to support Apple desktop and mobile devices.

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When Michael Dell keynotes Dell World (Oct. 12-14, Austin, Texas), he’ll potentially deliver four key messages to partners and customers. Somewhere within the keynote, I bet Dell will touch upon the PC giant’s managed services strategy — which increasingly revolves around SecureWorks. Whether you call SecureWorks a cloud security service or managed security service, it’s a key piece to Dell’s transformation strategy. But where do partners fit in?

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Several hundred managed services providers (MSPs) are set to attend this week’s N-able Partner Summit (Oct. 12-14, Scottsdale, Ariz.). What surprises will N-able CEO Gavin Garbutt and his executive team have in store for MSPs? Here are seven questions worth asking.

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New research about the evolving U.S. job market suggests that demand for managed services could rise in some unexpected areas. Consider this: Transportation goods such as vehicles and auto parts, electrical equipment including household appliances, and furniture are among seven sectors that could create two to three million jobs as a result of manufacturing returning to the U.S., an emerging trend that is expected to accelerate starting in the next five years, according to new research by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). What’s the potential upside for managed services providers?

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Rimage Corp. has acquired Qumu, which specializes in enterprise video communication, for $52 million in cash and stock. The deal arrives as many managed services providers (MSPs) seek to master telepresence and managed video services.

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NetEnrich Inc., which promotes closet-to-cloud services for MSPs, has hired a VP of sales and a senior director of product management. The moves reinforce continued expansion at NetEnrich, which has been pushing beyond traditional NOC (network operations center) services for MSPs in recent months.

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The MSPmentor team is gearing up to cover three major channel partner conferences this week, which will be hosted by N-able Technologies, Symantec and Dell.But in the meantime, here are seven managed IT services blogs the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Oct. 7, 2011.

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MobileIron, the mobile device management (MDM) software provider, plans to support Apple iOS 5 beginning Oct. 12. Apple iOS 5 was officially released on Oct. 4. Now, we’re watching to see how many mobile device management specialists jump on the Apple iOS 5 bandwagon.

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Avanade, the IT consulting firm and managed service provider (MSP) backed by Microsoft, has acquired eConnex to gain more Microsoft Dynamics CRM consulting expertise in Europe. Plus, Avanada has named two key executive appointments.

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Glowpoint, inc., which providers managed video services in the cloud, has added Notify Remote Monitoring and Express Remote Monitoring & Support to its OpenVideo cloud suite. Here’s a breakdown of the two added solutions.

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Zayo Group, which provides telecommunications services to the government and private sectors, has agreed to acquire 360networks. The deal will reportedly come close to doubling Zayo Group’s fiber network.

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How’s this for ironic: North America will host several of the world’s largest managed services conferences within the next few weeks. But some of the most interesting managed services innovations continue to occur in Australia and New Zealand. Here’s the blow by blow.

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