MSPmentor

Instead of kicking back and relaxing for the holidays, managed service providers and integrators continue to discuss mergers, acquisitions and other potential business combinations. Two deals were announced on Jan. 2, and more are coming. Read More >

The spirit of former Novell CEO Ray Noorda lives on in the managed services market. In the late 1980s, Noorda coined the term “coopetition” — which described rival technology companies that competed but also cooperated to grow a market.

Such is the case in the managed services sector. In recent weeks, both the MSP Alliance and MSP Partners have formed vendor advisory panels to help grow the overall market. The advisory boards will, in some cases, feature representatives from rival companies looking across the table from one another. Consider these recent moves: Read More >

You know the drill: It’s the end of the year. Time for some predictions to stir some reader debate and feedback. Here’s a look at where I see the managed services market going in 2008. Agree? Disagree? I’m all ears. Read More >

Doing business in the Middle East can be a tricky endeavor for technology companies. But plenty of IT experts have found success in the region. Sales of enterprise application software across the Arab Middle East and North Africa grew 16 percent in 2005 and roughly another 13 percent in 2006, according to IDC. Now, managed services and software as a service (SaaS) are gaining popularity across the region, too. Read More >

Call it the managed services paradox: Plenty of VARs want to offer managed services, but they often lack deep enough pockets to pay for robust managed services platforms. What’s the solution to this financial shortfall? Here are a few options. Read More >

Kaseya COO Tim McMullen just disclosed that the company’s managed services platform will soon support Apple’s Mac OS and Linux. McMullen made the comment during a Webcast a few moments ago. Kaseya’s commitment to Apple and Linux reinforces the fact that a small — but influential — piece of the SMB market has made the move to the Macintosh. Support for Mac OS should arrive in early 2008, with Linux support to follow shortly thereafter. I’ve got reason to celebrate: I’m typing this blog entry on my MacBook Pro during a business trip, and heading home to visit my Dell/Linux desktop PC tonight.

Imagine if The Geek Squad embraced managed services. That very scenario is occurring at Fast-teks, a nationwide computer services company that’s working with Kaseya and SecureMyCompany to master managed services. Under terms of a new initiative, Fast-teks is using SecureMyCompany’s hosted offerings to service customers in more than 120 North American markets. The online services include Kaseya Managed Services software, which offers asset management, software inventory and remote management capabilities.

I’m in San Jose for the MSP Alliance Fall Managed Services Conference. It’s my first time at an MSP Alliance event. And frankly, I’m not sure what to see. But I do expect to hear about five key trends at the event. Here’s the rundown.

Read More >