MSPmentor

Distributors spent 2007 telling me about their managed services strategies. Now, they’re back — this time, telling me about their software as a service (SaaS) strategies. It’s the latest example of SaaS and managed services converging with each other.  Skeptical? Check out the latest news from Avnet, which is launching a SaaS initiative in the email and groupware sector. Read More >

The VAR Guy just awoke from an extended nap, which started sometime before Christmas. While he waits for his new Web site to launch — at www.thevarguy.com (update: it’s live now) — he decided to jump onto MSPmentor.net.

If you haven’t read The VAR Guy’s outbursts before, here’s all you need to know: He often swims against the tide. A case in point: While many folks bash Michael Dell’s channel strategy and managed services acquisitions, The VAR Guy has been defending Mr. Dell and his empire. Here’s why. 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 >

The MSP Alliance continues to build out its Vendor Advisory Board. Next to join is Autotask CEO Bob Godgart (pictured), we hear. The Godgart announcement should come in a few days or so. So, how will MSP Alliance differ from the MSP Partner organization? We received some thoughts from MSP Alliance CEO Charles Weaver. Here’s a look.

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Gavin Garbutt, CEO of N-able Technologies, is on a role. Last week, he strolled around N-able’s Ottawa offices displaying an award from Deloitte, ranking N-able among the 500 fastest growing companies in North America. Now, he’s been named the first executive member of the MSP Alliance’s (MSPA) new Vendor Advisory Board. But what does the working relationship between N-able and MSP Alliance mean to other platform providers? Read More >

Hi Folks. Thanks for visiting. Just a few quick updates on MSPmentor.net’s progress. We launched this site — a beta version — in late September. Since that time, several thousand VARs and managed services providers have visited MSPmentor.net. Here’s where we’re taking our growing reader base next. Read More >

This just in: Do IT Smarter has selected LPI Level Platforms’ Collaborative Ecosystem MSP Platform to “drive the growth of their full service offering for solution providers,” according to press release that just hit the wires. The move reinforces several points raised by Do IT Smarter at today’s MSP Alliance conference in San Jose.

Do IT Smarter offers a an outsourced hosting center, remote help desk and sales and marketing support to VARs that are embracing managed services. In contrast, Level Platforms specializes in remote monitoring and management software for solution providers offering managed services to their small and midsize customers. Level Platforms is the latest in a growing list of relationships for Do IT Smarter.