MSPmentor » Events http://www.mspmentor.net Managed Services & Cloud Services Blog for VARs & MSPs Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:02:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 2006-2007 joe@ninelivesmediainc.com (MSPmentor) joe@ninelivesmediainc.com (MSPmentor) 1440 http://www.mspmentor.net/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg MSPmentor http://www.mspmentor.net 144 144 Managed Services Blog for Top Managed Service Providers MSPmentor MSPmentor joe@ninelivesmediainc.com no no ManageEngine to Debut iOS MDM at Mobile World Congress http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/09/manageengine-to-debut-ios-mdm-at-mobile-world-conference/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/09/manageengine-to-debut-ios-mdm-at-mobile-world-conference/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:10:00 +0000 Nicholas Mukhar http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=29010 ManagEngine, the IT management software provider owned by Zoho Corp., hopes to make some noise at Mobile World Congress (Feb. 27-March 1, Barcelona, Spain). Indeed, ManageEngine is set to debut its mobile device management (MDM) solution for Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad) devices at the event. ]]> ManagEngine, the IT management software provider owned by Zoho Corp., hopes to make some noise at Mobile World Congress (Feb. 27-March 1, Barcelona, Spain). Indeed, ManageEngine is set to debut its mobile device management (MDM) solution for Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad) devices at the event.

ManageEngine President Raj Sabhlok told me last week that the mobile device revolution had captured ManageEngine’s attention in a big way. And in a prepared statement on Feb. 7, Sabhlok predicted that tablet sales would “further entrench and complicate security, bandwidth use, and asset management in the enterprise.”

In response, ManageEngine is trying to help IT organizations manage the overwhelming number of mobile devices entering their networks, beginning with iOS devices. The company is extending its Desktop Central solution to mobile iOS devices, including security, asset and configuration management. ManageEngine also is extending its IT360 solution to the iPad, empowering MSPs and corporate IT administrators to manage IT infrastructures straight from the tablet. Lastly, ManageEngine will be unveiling a new user interface (UI) designed specifically for iPad users. The company plans to releases similar MDM solutions for other mobile operating systems, though no timetable has been given yet.

ManageEngine’s launch strategy seems sound. Think about it — there’s really no better place to launch an MDM solution than the World Mobile Congress, where companies will release scores of new smartphones and tablets, and MSPs and enterprise businesses will be looking for solutions to manage all of these new devices.

A growing number of MSP-centric software companies have introduced mobile device management capabilities. Two recent examples: Kaseya launched a mobile device management module in 2011, and Level Platforms is planning to offer MDM as part of its Managed Workplace 2012 launch.

 

 

 

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/09/manageengine-to-debut-ios-mdm-at-mobile-world-conference/feed/ 0 Webcast Today: Partner Effectively on Cloud Backup http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/08/webcast-today-partner-effectively-on-cloud-backup/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/08/webcast-today-partner-effectively-on-cloud-backup/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00:55 +0000 Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=29023 Don't forget to join us today (Wednesday, February 8, 2012) for our Channel Expert Hour webcast. Two top MSPs — Data Storage Corp. and Bumi (Backup My Info!) — and Asigra will share their secrets to cloud backup. Learn how you can set your own cloud storage pricing, margins and service level agreements. But most of all: Learn the key questions Data Storage Corp. and Bumi asked while investigating potential cloud storage partnerships.]]> Don’t forget to join us today (Wednesday, February 8, 2012) for our Channel Expert Hour webcast. Two top MSPs — Data Storage Corp. and Bumi (Backup My Info!) — and Asigra will share their secrets to cloud backup. Learn how you can set your own cloud storage pricing, margins and service level agreements. But most of all: Learn the key questions Data Storage Corp. and Bumi asked while investigating potential cloud storage partnerships.

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/08/webcast-today-partner-effectively-on-cloud-backup/feed/ 0 Webcast: Partner the Right Way on Cloud Backup http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/03/webcast-partner-the-right-way-on-cloud-backup/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/03/webcast-partner-the-right-way-on-cloud-backup/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:23:56 +0000 Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=28836 Two top MSPs -- Data Storage Corp. and Bumi (Backup My Info!) -- and Asigra are set to share their secrets to cloud backup. Their guidance will surface during our Channel Expert Hour webcast on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Join in to learn how you can set your own cloud storage pricing, margins and service level agreements. ]]> Two top MSPs — Data Storage Corp. and Bumi (Backup My Info!) — and Asigra are set to share their secrets to cloud backup. Their guidance will surface during our Channel Expert Hour webcast on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Join in to learn how you can set your own cloud storage pricing, margins and service level agreements.

Indeed, our guests will describe how they set their own pricing, margins and service level agreements. Both Data Storage Corp. and BUMI partnered with Asigra to build the cloud storage businesses. Now you can learn from each of them. Our confirmed guest speakers include:

  • Matthew P. Grosso, executive VP, Data Storage Corp.
  • Jennifer Walzer, CEO, BUMI (Backup My Info! Inc.)
  • Eran Farajun, Executive VP, Asigra

Register now and join us Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT. We look forward to your questions.

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/02/03/webcast-partner-the-right-way-on-cloud-backup/feed/ 0 Paessler PRTG 9.2 Monitoring Solution Supports VMware 5 http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/26/paessler-prtg-9-2-monitoring-solution-supports-vmware-5/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/26/paessler-prtg-9-2-monitoring-solution-supports-vmware-5/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:20:47 +0000 Nicholas Mukhar http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=28482 Paessler, the network monitoring software company, will soon release PRTG 9.2 -- the newest version of its flagship monitoring solution for SMBs and enterprise businesses. The upgrade includes a Mobile Web GUI, speedier web page loading and support for VMware vSphere 5. The new version of Paessler's PRTG monitoring solution is set to debut at Cisco Live London 2012 (Jan. 30 - Feb. 3). And when it does, Paessler says it will include over 400 improvements. ]]> Paessler, the network monitoring software company, will soon release PRTG 9.2 — the newest version of its flagship monitoring solution for SMBs and enterprise businesses. The upgrade includes a Mobile Web GUI, speedier web page loading and support for VMware vSphere 5. The new version of Paessler’s PRTG monitoring solution is set to debut at Cisco Live London 2012 (Jan. 30 – Feb. 3). And when it does, Paessler says it will include over 400 improvements.

Paessler said the biggest improvement involves VMware vSphere 5 support because it addresses ESX 5, Virtual Center 5 and lets users see virtual machines (VMs) located inside of vApps. Plus, mobile browser support is enhanced. According to Paessler Founder and CEO Dirk Paessler, more and more of the company’s customers are already upgrading to vSphere 5 even before Paessler releases support for it.

“They [customers] want the ability to include these systems in their monitoring to ensure system operability,” Paessler said. “PRTG simply grows with their demands.”

On the mobile device side, the new version of PRTG supports the following mobile platforms:

  • iOS 3.2
  • Android 2.1/Honeycomb,
  • BlackBerry 6
  • Windows Phone 7
  •  WebOS 1.4
  • Meego
  • Kindle 3
  •  Firefox Mobile
  • Opera Mobile 11

Over the next two weeks or so, we’ll be interested to hear the feedback PRTG gets from Cisco Live London attendees.

It seems like Paessler has been closely monitoring the mobile device usage trend of its customers and then responding accordingly. In December 2011, the company released its iPRTG 3.0 mobile network monitoring application for all iOS devices with editing, mapping and email capabilities, among other features.

 

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/26/paessler-prtg-9-2-monitoring-solution-supports-vmware-5/feed/ 0 Today’s Webcast: Help Desks, Online Chat and Remote Support http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/25/webcast-help-desks-meet-online-chat-and-remote-support/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/25/webcast-help-desks-meet-online-chat-and-remote-support/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:00:47 +0000 Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=28415 How can MSPs connect the dots between their help desks, online chat capabilities and remote support technologies? Get the answers today (Jan. 25, 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT) during our next Channel Expert Hour webcast, hosted by MSPmentor. Our guest speakers will include... ]]> How can MSPs connect the dots between their help desks, online chat capabilities and remote support technologies? Get the answers today (Jan. 25, 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT) during our next Channel Expert Hour webcast, hosted by MSPmentor. Our guest speakers will include…

… such experts as:

  • Gabriel Kenyon, VP of sales at teleNetwork, which offers help desk services to MSPs and other partners.
  • Eric Bisceglia, senior product marketing manager, LogMeIn, which has a range of solutions for MSPs.

I’ll be on the line to moderate the discussion. Register now and thanks in advance for your questions during the webcast.

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/25/webcast-help-desks-meet-online-chat-and-remote-support/feed/ 1 Webcast: MSP Help Desks, Remote Support and Online Chat http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/18/webcast-msp-help-desks-remote-support-and-online-chat/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/18/webcast-msp-help-desks-remote-support-and-online-chat/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:16:07 +0000 Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=28205 How can MSPs like you create a world-class help desk that both keeps your team close to your customers, while enabling your customers to better manage employee and customer support costs in the face of increasing expectations? Get the answers during our next Channel Expert Hour webcast (Jan. 25, 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT). You’ll gain facts, tips and insights from an MSP who’s built an effective help desk that leverages optimized remote support systems and methodologies for desktop, remote and mobile customers. Also, learn how the concept of “unified customer care” is evolving, including insights from LogMeIn (the webcast's sponsor). Register now.]]> How can MSPs like you create a world-class help desk that both keeps your team close to your customers, while enabling your customers to better manage employee and customer support costs in the face of increasing expectations? Get the answers during our next Channel Expert Hour webcast (Jan. 25, 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT). You’ll gain facts, tips and insights from an MSP who’s built an effective help desk that leverages optimized remote support systems and methodologies for desktop, remote and mobile customers. Also, learn how the concept of “unified customer care” is evolving, including insights from LogMeIn (the webcast’s sponsor). Register now.

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/18/webcast-msp-help-desks-remote-support-and-online-chat/feed/ 0 ManageEngine Previews IT Management Software at Cisco Live http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/12/manageengine-previews-cisco-live-it-management-product-enhancements/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/12/manageengine-previews-cisco-live-it-management-product-enhancements/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:31:15 +0000 Nicholas Mukhar http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=27984 ManageEngine, the managed services software provider, is set to make several product announcements at Cisco Live London 2012 in late January and early February. The company will release updates to four products: DeviceExpert, NetFlow Analyzer, OpManager and and IT360. Here's a little background on all four, as well as how ManageEngine will enhance them to help IT departments work more efficiently. ]]> ManageEngine, the managed services software provider, is set to make several product announcements at Cisco Live London 2012 in late January and early February. The company will release updates to four products: DeviceExpert, NetFlow Analyzer, OpManager and and IT360. Here’s a little background on all four, as well as how ManageEngine will enhance them to help IT departments work more efficiently.

ManageEngine’s DeviceExpert is a network change and configuration management (NCCM) solution for switches, routers, firewalls and other company network devices. Managed services providers can use the solution to take entire control of the lifecycle of device configuration management. The upgrade offers end-of-life (EOL) management reporting features across automated switches, routers and firewalls; network inventory audits to create reports on different network devices; and automated reporting. According to ManageEngine, all of the new features are aimed at helping MSPs and their customers keep network infrastructure up to date.

Then there’s the company’s NetFlow Analyzer traffic analysis solution. In version 6.5, ManageEngine has added support for Cisco MediaNet and Mediatrace. Cisco Medianet is a video traffic monitoring tool that makes troubleshooting easier. Mediatrace lets users monitor the performance of real-time traffic sessions on each hop of an IP flow. The enhancement makes sense considering that, in December, ManageEngine extended its NetFlow Analyzer to support video traffic monitoring.

Next up, ManagEngine OpManager is an end-to-end network and IT infrastructure montioring tool that works across routers, WAN links, switches, and other critical components of an IT infrastructure. The OpManager will soon have a “Fast Discover” feature and will be be able to discover 50,000 interfaces in 15 minutes. It will also have the capacity to monitor over 50,000 interfaces or 5,000 servers within a single management console, and will have an IT workflow engine with drag-and-drop capabilities to help administrators resolve network issues faster.

Finally, the IT360 IT user dashboard will have a more centralized structure. IT departments will be able to manage alarms and other business services across multiple remote offices through a single view. It’s designed to help IT teams fix problems faster, improve their SLA responsiveness and enhance their overall quality of service.

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/12/manageengine-previews-cisco-live-it-management-product-enhancements/feed/ 0 Join Us Today: Your First Mobile Device Management Sales Call of 2012 http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/11/webcast-your-first-mobile-device-management-sales-call-of-2012/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/11/webcast-your-first-mobile-device-management-sales-call-of-2012/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:07:24 +0000 Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=27878 Before you schedule your first customer meetings of 2012, you need to develop a mobile device management (MDM) strategy. Get control of smartphone and tablet management. And drive monthly recurring revenue along the way. To do so, join us for our next Channel Expert Hour webcast (Today: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT). Also, check our complete webcast schedule -- which now includes the fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 webcast.]]> Before you schedule your first customer meetings of 2012, you need to develop a mobile device management (MDM) strategy. Get control of smartphone and tablet management. And drive monthly recurring revenue along the way. To do so, join us for our next Channel Expert Hour webcast (Today: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT). Also, check our complete webcast schedule — which now includes the fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 webcast.

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/11/webcast-your-first-mobile-device-management-sales-call-of-2012/feed/ 0 Webcast: Profiting From Mobile Device Management http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/04/webcast-profiting-from-mobile-device-management/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/04/webcast-profiting-from-mobile-device-management/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:17:38 +0000 Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=27582 Welcome back from the holidays. Chances are, you'll notice your customers bringing dozens -- perhaps hundreds -- of new iPads, iPhones and Android devices to work. Get control of the smartphone and tablet situation. And drive profits along the way. To do so, join us for our next Channel Expert Hour webcast (Jan. 11, 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT). The webcast will help you to set up your first sales meeting for 2012 -- what questions should you ask customers about mobile devices, what pain points can you solve, and what value can you deliver to customers. SECOND WEBCAST: Also, join us Jan. 25 for our second webcast of the month -- focused on linking your help desk to customer instant messaging and remote support. We look forward to your participation and live questions.]]> Welcome back from the holidays. Chances are, you’ll notice your customers bringing dozens — perhaps hundreds — of new iPads, iPhones and Android devices to work. Get control of the smartphone and tablet situation. And drive profits along the way. To do so, join us for our next Channel Expert Hour webcast (Jan. 11, 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT). The webcast will help you to set up your first sales meeting for 2012 — what questions should you ask customers about mobile devices, what pain points can you solve, and what value can you deliver to customers. SECOND WEBCAST: Also, join us Jan. 25 for our second webcast of the month — focused on linking your help desk to customer instant messaging and remote support. We look forward to your participation and live questions.

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]]> http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/01/04/webcast-profiting-from-mobile-device-management/feed/ 0 10 Most Read Managed Services Stories Q4 2011 http://www.mspmentor.net/2011/12/30/10-most-read-managed-services-stories-q4-2011/ http://www.mspmentor.net/2011/12/30/10-most-read-managed-services-stories-q4-2011/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:31:02 +0000 Joe Panettieri http://www.mspmentor.net/?p=27315 I'm nearly ready to go disappear for the New Year weekend. But I had promised MSPmentor's readers a look at the most read managed services stories of 2011. We've already disclosed the 10 most read MSP news stories from Q1, Q2 and Q3 2011. Now let's look at the most read MSP stories from Q4 2011 and the reasons managed services providers read along. ]]> I’m nearly ready to go disappear for the New Year weekend. But I had promised MSPmentor’s readers a look at the most read managed services stories of 2011. We’ve already disclosed the 10 most read MSP news stories from Q1, Q2 and Q3 2011. Now let’s look at the most read MSP stories from Q4 2011 and the reasons managed services providers read along.

10. A Really Simple Sales Compensation Plan for MSPs: An oldie but goodie. This guest blog, written by former Nimsoft VP Phil LaForge back in November 2010, popped back onto our most read list for Q4 2011.

9. Zenith RMM Preps Cloud BDR Alternatives to Zenith Infotech: Zenith RMM, now called Continuum, worked rapidly to distance itself from former parent Zenith Infotech’s debt default and pursued additional BDR relationships. A few weeks after we broke this story, Continuum confirmed a partnership with Datto.

8. mindSHIFT Memo Explains Best Buy Deal to Customers: Within hours of Best Buy announcing plans to buy mindSHIFT, MSPmentor got a hold of this memo explaining the deal to customers.

7. Zenith Infotech CEO — We’re Financially Solvent, Stable and Strong: Following a September 2011 debt default, Zenith Infotech CEO Akash Saraf offers a statement of confidence to MSPs, partners and customers.

6. Cloud Backup and Online Storage – Has the Shakeout Arrived?: Let’s face it — there are dozens of online backup and cloud storage companies battling for mind share and market share within the MSP community. MSPmentor thinks a shakeout is developing.

5. Zenith Infotech Faces Debt Questions: Around the time that Zenith Infotech default on its debt, MSPmentor started poking around and gathering the early details.

4. MobileIron: Apple iOS 5 Meets Mobile Device Management: Potentially the biggest managed services trend heading into 2012, this blog entry described the rising need for mobile device management across Apple iPads and iPhones.

3. Zenith Infotech CEO Says Debt Issue Won’t Sink Company: In a second statement of confidence, Zenith Infotech CEO Akash Saraf once again assures customers, partners and MSPs that the company is marching forward despite a debt default. As of Dec. 30, 2011, the case continues to navigate a high court in India.

2. mindSHIFT CEO Says Best Buy Deal Accelerates Existing Strategy: Hours after Best Buy disclosed plans to buy mindSHIFT, Paul Chisholm offered his perspectives to MSPmentor.

1. Managed Services Pricing Models: Am I Just Plain Wrong?: The oldest discussion in the MSP market continues to generate strong buzz. How do MSPs actually develop their pricing models?

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