MSPmentor » MSPmentor 100

Join Us Wednesday: Top 100 Managed Services Provider List

Joe Panettieri — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:06:35 +0000

The fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 — a list of the world’s top 100 managed services providers — will debut during a webcast this Wednesday, Feb. 15. Register now to join us. Here are some hints about what you’ll learn.

1. Managed Services Trends: How fast are the top managed services providers growing? And what services have they introduced? We’ve got the data.

2. The MSPmentor 100, Global Edition: We’ll unveil the complete list of MSPs, including managed services providers from North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and AANZ (Asia, Australia, New Zealand).

3. Analysis: Our confirmed guest experts will include:

Zack Schuler, President and CEO of Calnet Technology Group — an MSPmentor 100 company that has introduced cloud management services.
Tommy Wald, CEO, White Glove Technologies — an MSPmentor 100 company that has mastered mergers and acquisitions.
Jeannine Edwards, Director of Community, ConnectWise — providing perspectives from ConnectWise user groups worldwide.

Schuler, Wald and Edwards will answer your questions throughout the webcast. Note: ConnectWise is the webcast sponsor but the MSPmentor 100 report is vendor-independent research.

4. Deeper Details: Everyone who attends the MSPmentor 100 webcast will automatically receive our complete MSPmentor 100 report PDF — a 22 page document that highlights all of the key companies and trends within the managed services market.

Want more information? Register now for the Webcast. I look forward to unveiling this year’s top 100 managed services providers list on February 15.

Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Dec. 30

Joe Panettieri — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:45:02 +0000

It’s time to shift our managed services coverage back into overdrive. The New Year holiday is over. MSPs are getting back to work. But before you check in with your customers, here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news tips that MSPmentor didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending December 30, 2011.

7. Unethical M&A Dealings: I traded email with a well-known MSP who wants to warn peer MSPs about unethical moves on the M&A front. The CEO shared some background about how a large publicly held company seemed to string along the MSP, chasing deals together while also discussing a potential M&A combo. But in the end, it seems like the large publicly held company was merely using the small MSP to gather information about the managed services market. More thoughts from MSPmentor soon.

6. Speaking of Mergers and Acquisitions: MSPmentor has confirmed the second and third MSP merger and acquisition deals of 2012. ~~We’ll share details about deal number two later today~~. Updated, 5:38 p.m. ET, Jan. 2: Canfield Computers and Steel Valley Merge. And details about deal number three — a pretty big deal, I must say — should become public in mid- to late-January 2012. The first MSP M&A deal of 2012, you may recall, involved Network Depot buying Evolve Technologies. Note: We’re tracking all MSP mergers and acquisitions here.

5. Fatal Distraction: Did I mention I got the original Nintendo Entertainment System (circa 1986) for Christmas? I’ve been rocking my 13-year-old son in Blades of Steel. Now, as my birthday approaches, perhaps it’s time to pull the old Atari 2600 out of my attic… where an Intellivision surely looms as well. Yes, you can buy old games for retro video game systems on eBay and Craigslist. But Play n Trade retail locations — which have retro games for sale — have become my preferred destination.

4. Can Both Strategies Win?: In recent days, a few readers have sent me emails asking who has the better strategy — Autotask, which is exiting the product quoting market by selling off VARStreet? Or ConnectWise, which invested in Quosal, the quoting and sales proposal software company? I’m still organizing my thoughts and will share more perspectives soon.

3. How’s That Data Stored?: Several MSPmentor readers have asked me how Cisco’s OnPlus Service for MSPs stores and manages end-customer data. The unspoken question: Can Cisco use that end-customer data to take the end-customers direct and cut MSPs out of the loop? My knee-jerk reaction: I think Cisco is a partner-led company that wouldn’t use Cisco OnPlus Service to upend MSPs. But I’ve reached out to Cisco for perspectives. MSPmentor will share Cisco’s thoughts as soon as we gather the info.

2. Microsoft Office 365 Reality Check: Microsoft Office 365, the SaaS platform for running Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and more, turned six-months-old on December 24, 2011. Some MSPs claim they’ll never re-sell Office 365 since Microsoft controls the end-customer billing. But nearly 43 percent of MSPs that participating in our fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 survey say they’re involved with Office 365. The bigger question: Are MSPs actually generating substantial revenue from Office 365? We’re poking around for perspectives. (Side note: Complete MSPmentor 100 survey results will surface in February 2012.)

1. Did I Say Thank You?: I hope I say it often enough. Nine Lives Media, publisher of MSPmentor, turns four-years-old this month. Our team is still having a blast covering the IT channel across MSPmentor, The VAR Guy and Talkin’ Cloud. Thanks for taking the journey with us. It continues to be a heck of a ride.

That’s all for now. Our entire team will be back to blogging on Tuesday, January 3.

Last Call: MSPmentor 100 Survey Ends Today (Friday, Dec. 23)

Joe Panettieri — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:34:29 +0000

The fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 survey closes today (Friday, December 23). Complete the survey and your company could potentially be ranked among the world’s top managed services providers. Also, MSPmentor will publish regional lists covering multiple geographies. And we’ll honor the MSPs that added the most headcount/created the most jobs in 2011. Survey results will surface in February 2012. Thanks to those who have already participated.

MSPmentor 100 Survey Ends This Friday, Dec. 23

Joe Panettieri — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:59:42 +0000

The fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 survey — which will pinpoint the world’s top 100 managed services providers — ends this Friday, Dec. 23 at 11:59 p.m. ET / 8:59 p.m. PT. This survey is open to all MSPs worldwide. Here’s why your managed services business should participate.

The MSPmentor 100 results will honor The World’s Top 100 MSPs, plus MSPmentor will publish multiple regional lists honoring MSPs in North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and AANZ (Asia, Australia, New Zealand). And we’ll celebrate the MSPs that created the most jobs and added the most headcount in 2012. Note: We’re still a bit light on MSPs from Central and South America — but we’ll honor MSPs in those regions, too, if we receive more participation. Plus, all survey participants are eligible for our global list.

Jump into the survey now and thanks to those who have already participated. Results will be unveiled in February 2012.

Remember: The survey ends this Friday, Dec. 23. Sorry, MSPmentor will not be extending the survey deadline.

MSPmentor 100: Survey Deadline Approaching Rapidly

Joe Panettieri — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:44:12 +0000

We’re wrapping up the fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 survey on Friday, Dec. 23. Participate and your company could be ranked among the world’s top managed services providers. Here’s why you should complete the survey before deadline day arrives.

The MSPmentor 100 results will honor The World’s Top 100 MSPs, plus MSPmentor will publish multiple regional lists honoring MSPs in North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and AANZ (Asia, Australia, New Zealand). And we’ll celebrate the MSPs that created the most jobs and added the most headcount in 2012. Note: We’re a bit light on MSPs from Central and South America — but we’ll honor MSPs in those regions, too, if we receive more participation. Jump into the survey now and thanks to those who have already participated. Results will be unveiled in February 2012.

MSPmentor 100: Are You A Top Managed Services Provider?

Joe Panettieri — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:47:21 +0000

The fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 survey remains open until Dec. 23, 2011. So far, 83 percent of survey responses represent managed services providers from North America, 13 percent represent MSPs from EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and 4 percent are from MSPs in Asia Pacific (including Australia and New Zealand). Memo to MSPmentor’s friends in Europe, Australia and Africa: Get in on the action. When MSPmentor publishes survey results in February 2012, we’ll include global and regional lists. But you gotta be in it to win it. Complete the MSPmentor 100 survey and your company could be ranked among the world’s top managed services providers.

Participate in the Fifth Annual MSPmentor 100 Survey

Joe Panettieri — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:50:59 +0000

Has it really been five years? Absolutely yes. The fifth annual MSPmentor 100 survey is now open to all managed services providers worldwide. Find details and a survey link here. But before you participate in the survey read the rest of this blog entry. The FAQ below explains some of the key updates, enhancements and deadlines for the survey.

Here’s that FAQ:

Q1: What is the MSPmentor 100 Survey?
A: The survey identifies the world’s top 100 managed services providers. In addition, we will publish regional results for North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and AANZ (Asia, Australia, New Zealand). We’re also tracking Central and South America this year. If we get enough data for Central and South America we will honor MSPs in that region as well.

Q2: Who can participate?
A: Any manged services provider that generates recurring monthly revenues.

Q3: How are MSPs ranked?
A: We gather multiple data points — such as annual recurring revenues, devices managed, revenue per employee, etc.

Q4: Are you going to publish all of our financial information?
A: No. Read the survey closely and you’ll see that we keep your specific financial information confidential. But we will use the data to rank your company against other survey participants. The survey clearly indicates which data will remain private.

Q5: Are you going to publish or share our contact information?
A: No. We don’t share your contact info with any outside marketing firms or vendors.

Q6: Do you audit the survey results to make sure participants are being honest?
A: We don’t audit the results. However, this is our fifth year running the survey. Many MSPs that participated in previous MSPmentor 100 surveys have since been acquired. That M&A process sometimes involves buyers checking the MSPmentor 100 list for potential targets. So, the honor system has been working — really well. The best MSPs grow organically or get acquired. The fakers disappear.

Q7: What if I participate in the survey but don’t land on the MSPmentor 100 list?
A: Your company can still potentially be honored in our regional lists. We will definitely publish break-out regional lists for:

North America
EMEA — Europe, Middle East, Africa
AANZ — Asia, Australia, New Zealand.

We are also collecting data for Central and South America — with potential plans to profile companies in that region.

Q8: Why should I participate in the MSPmentor 100 survey?
A: Land on the MSPmentor 100 global list or regional lists, and your company will be placed in a bright year-spotlight. Since launching in 2007, the MSPmentor 100 center has been visited more than 100,00o times. We link directly to all MSPmentor 100 companies, improving your search engine optimization. We also offer media templates to help you promote your MSPmentor 100 honor to existing and target customers.

Q9: How is this year’s survey different than previous MSPmentor 100 surveys?
A: We’ve adjusted it in multiple ways. Including…

Small MSPs Still Welcome: We’re more clearly honoring MSPs in specific regions, so that you can celebrate your success in your region without having to worry about competing with big, global MSPs that may outrank you on the global list.
Job Creators Honored: Which MSPs created the most jobs in 2011? We’re going to honor them.
Vertical Markets Honored: We’ve expanded our list of vertical markets covered, so that we can potentially honor MSPs serving specific verticals.

Q10: What’s the deadline for participation?
A: The fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 survey runs October 5, 2011 through December 23, 2011. Results will be announced in February 2012.

Q11: When will results be announced?
A: The MSPmentor results will be announced February 2012.

Q13: After I complete the survey what do I need to do?
A: Absolutely nothing. We will be in touch when the results are announced in February 2012. If we have any questions about the data you submitted we’ll be in touch in January 2012.

Q14: What if I complete the survey and don’t land on the MSPmentor 100 report and/or the associated regional lists: Did I waste my time?
A: Absolutely not. After the results are announced, you can determine your overall ranking vs. the MSPmentor 100 companies. But we need you to complete the survey to deliver that statistic to you.

Q15: I’ve still got more questions. Where can I get help?
A: Email Editorial Director Joe Panettieri, joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc [dot] com.

Thanks in advance to those who participate in the survey.

Join Me Wednesday: MSPmentor 100 Preview, SaaS Strategy Tips

Joe Panettieri — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 05:00:46 +0000

Join our next Webcast this Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. Participants will gain early access to our new MSPmentor 100 survey, which launches that day. Plus, we’ll review Five SaaS Habits of Highly Profitable MSPs. Two Top MSPs and CA Technologies will describe the five moves in deep detail, while answering your questions throughout. I look forward to your questions, and I’ll share some updates on the next MSPmentor 100 survey during the webcast.

All Covered Acquires LAN Associates, PMV Technologies

Nicholas Mukhar — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:36:58 +0000

All Covered has acquired LAN Associates and PMV Technologies, two managed services providers located in New York and Michigan, respectively Also, All Covered acquired Techcare in May 2011. The company has now made 19 acquisitions in three years.

All Covered has been on both sides of the acquisition table within the last year. The managed IT service provider was acquired by Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. in early 2011. At the time, MSPmentor wondered if All Covered was done buying companies. But All Covered said it would remain on the acquisition trail.

“When we were acquired, we were excited because they [Konica Minolta] are in 50 cities across they U.S. and we’re only in 20. But we were also excited about they’re continued commitment to acquisitions,” All Covered President Todd Croteau said. Croteau clarified that the company’s acquisition strategy is part of a larger strategy to provide a more comprehensive suite of services for SMBs.

LAN Associates provides networked computer solutions for legal and corporate customers in New York, Washington D.C. and North Carolina. The company is rich in legal expertise, particularly around document management and application layer support for legal firms. The company was named the best outsourced IT provider by the New York Law Journal, and its roughly 35 employees will bring a higher level of legal skills and knowledge to All Covered, according to Croteau.

“PMV Technologies is more of a classic MSP,” Croteau said. The 30-employee company is heavily invested in remote support and provides SMBs with network management, security, infrastructure and hardware maintenance, help desk support and business planning.

All Covered will retain all employees from both companies and is eying further acquisitions in the coming weeks, according to Croteau and All Covered Vice President of Marketing Nick Pegley, who said this is the beginning of a larger IT industry trend.

“The IT industry is going into a trend of very significant consolidation,” Pegley said. “Now with the advantages of having 24-hour facilities and around the clock monitoring, you need more engineers and support in more cities. That’s why we’re moving quickly to build, by far, the largest company in our business.”

Top IT Service Providers and MSPs Land on Inc. 5000 List

Joe Panettieri — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:57:50 +0000

Despite some depressing economic data from small businesses, there’s good news in the IT channel. Indeed, several hundred IT service providers — including numerous MSPmentor 100 companies — have landed on this year’s Inc. 5000 list, which tracks the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States.

Among the Inc. 5000 companies that caught our attention (in alphabetical order):

1. Amazon Consulting: The channel research firm raised revenues to $3.4 million in 2010, up 6 percent from 2007. Ranked 4893 overall and 628 in IT services.

2. ARRC Technology: The managed services provider saw revenues hit $7.7 million in 2010, up 32 percent from $5.8 million in 2007. Ranked 3992 overall and 517 in IT services.

3. Claris Networks: The cloud computing and managed services specialist lifted revenues to $7.1 million in 2010, up 25 percent from $5.6 million in 2007. Ranked 4230 overall and 554 in IT services. (Also ranked 45 on the MSPmentor 100.)

4. CMIT Solutions: An IT professional services firm with 125 locations, CMIT saw 2010 revenues hit $4.2 million, up 104 percent from $2 million in 2007. Ranked 2326 overall and 286 in IT services.

5. ConnectWise: The PSA (professional services automation) software provider saw revenues hit $29.8 million in 2010, up 95 percent from $15.3 million in 2007. Ranked 2470 overall and 173 in IT services.

6. Fandotech: One of Connecticut’s top MSPs, revenues hit $4.5 million in 2010, up 184 percent from $1.6 million in 2007. Ranked 1507 overall and 170 in IT services. (Also ranked 79 on the MSPmentor 100.)

7. Five Nines Technology Group: A top MSP in Nebraska, Five Nines’ revenues were $5.5 million in 2010, up 248 percent from $1.6 million in 2007. Ranked 1191 overall and 135 in IT services. And a side note: Five Nines CEO Nick Bock allegedly took a California Road Trip with The VAR Guy back in July.

6. Intronis: The cloud backup storage provider, which works closely with MSPs, saw 2010 revenues hit $5.9 million, up 106 percent from $2.8 million in 2007. Ranked 2289 overall and 282 in IT services.

7. IT Authorities: A national MSP headquartered in Tampa, Fla. Revenues were $3.5 million in 2010, up 179% from $1.3 million in 2007. Ranked 1545 overall and 176 in IT services. (Also ranked 39 on the MSPmentor 100.)

8. IT Solutions Consulting: The employee-owned MSP saw revenues hit $6.8 million in 2010, up 24 percent from $5.5 million in 2007. Ranked 4272 overall and 560 in IT services.

9. The Launch Pad: The managed services specialist grew 2010 revenues to $5.6 million, up 245 percent from $1.6 million in 2007. Ranked 1208 overall and 138 in IT services. (Also ranked 93 on the MSPmentor 100.)

10. SADA Systems: An IT services provider that specializes in Google Apps, Microsoft and cloud computing. SADA saw its 201 revenues hit $6.4 million, up 184 percent from $2.2 million in 2007. Ranked 1505 overall and 169 in IT services. (Also ranked on the Talkin’ Cloud 50.)

11. SoftLayer: Arguably the largest privately held hosting provider in the United States. Revenues were $278.8 million in 2010, up a stunning 1178 percent from $21.8 million in 2007. I suspect some of that increase involves SoftLayer’s merger with The Planet, but that’s speculation on my part.

12. White Glove Technologies: One of Texas’s leading MSPs, White Glove’s revenues were $8.8 million in 2010, up 101 percent from $4.4 million in 2007. Ranked 2374 overall and 293 in IT services. (Also ranked 57 on the MSPmentor 100.)

13. Who Did We Miss: There were hundreds of IT service providers on the Inc. 5000 — so chances are I accidentally overlooked some key MSPmentor 100 companies (and loyal MSPmentor readers) here. Please don’t flame me. Instead, feel free to post a comment that tells us where you ranked on the Inc. 5000. Or email me (joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc [dot] com).

In the meantime, it’s good to see so many IT service providers surface on the annual Inc. 5000 listing.

MSPmentor » MSPmentor 100

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