MSPmentor

If you’re located on the west coast of the United States, a series of managed services events hosted by N-able are heading your way March 18-21. We’ve plotted these events — and many others — on the MSPmentor event map (see below). You can also spot upcoming events by visiting MSPmentor’s Event page.

View Larger Map

Please note that MSPmentor does not specifically endorse any of these events. We offer the event calendar as a service to our readers. Whenever possible, we provide links back to the event host’s web site so that you can gather additional information. Always check with the event host for exact date, time and location of an event.

We’ve just received word that Kaseya plans to host its user conference June 1-3 in Las Vegas. We’ve updated our Managed Services Event Map to reflect that conference as well as other upcoming seminars hosted by third-party organizations.

Check out a complete list of events on our MSP Mentor Event Calendar. Or take a look at this map (future events are in green; recently completed events are in red):

View Larger Map

I just landed in Boston and I’m heading over to a managed services luncheon hosted by Do IT Smarter, Xerox and several other players. A few dozen VARs will attend the event, which seeks to help solutions providers transform their businesses into true MSPs. I’ll share some observations and attendee perspectives later in the day.

If you’re located near Boston and want to dive into the managed services discussion, join me at a luncheon on Dec. 12 hosted by Xerox and Do IT Smarter. During the event, hosted at the Seaport Hotel, I’ll be researching a feature about VARs and hardware providers transitioning into the MSP space. You can find more info about the event on Do IT Smarter’s Web site.

Don’t press the panic button. The mood is generally upbeat here at CompTIA’s SMB Summit in Bonita Springs, Fla. But a few attendees have mentioned that they’ve noticed some SMB customers holding more tightly onto their money in recent months. Still, the SMB sector appears to be the most promising market segment for VARs pushing into managed services. Here’s why. Read More >

MSP Alliance President Charles Weaver spent some time telling me about the organization’s new accreditation program during a conference last month. Sounds like the program is gaining some traction.

So far, eight vendors have received the accreditation, including Asigra, Dell/SilverBack, Do IT Smarter, Intel, LiveCargo, N-able, Untangle and XRoads Networks, according to Web Host Industry News. Roughly 50 vendors are on track to receive the accreditation by the close of 2007, Weaver told WHIN. So what’s the upside for managed service providers? The accreditation appears to offer four clear benefits to MSPs and their customers. Read More >

Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Jake and Elwood Blues. Heck, even Xerox and Do IT Smarter love a good road trip. I hear the duo is hosting a Managed Service Provider road show with stops in Charlotte, N.C. (October 11), Houston, Texas (October 17), New Orleans, La. (October 24) and Hollywood, Fla. (October 25). SonicWall and MX Logic also are joining the event series, which offers practical tips for selling managed services. For details, check out the Do IT Smarter event site.

I didn’t have a chance to attend the recent SMB Nation conference in Seattle. But Larry Lentz, a Microsoft Small Business Server guru, spotted a few trends at the event — including some thoughts on manged services. You can find Larry’s observations over on his personal blog.