MSPmentor

The Ingram Micro Seismic-Nimsoft relationship has been rumored for months. Now that it’s actually official, I wanted to take a closer look at the deal and the implications for VARs and managed services providers (MSPs).  Seeking answers and perspectives, I spoke with Jason Beal (director of sales, North America) from Ingram Micro’s Services Division and Nimsoft President and CEO Gary Read.

 

 Standard Podcast [11:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Three new conversations have landed in our MSPmentor and The VAR Guy Podcast Centers. They include SaaS Security Opportunities for VARs (featuring Trend Micro’s TJ Alldridge), Cloud and SaaS-based CRM for Channel Partners (SugarCRM CEO Larry Augustin) and a Fortinet Partner Program Update (Fortinet Channel VP Kendra Krause). Check our MSPmentor and The VAR Guy Podcast Centers regularly for conversations about managed services and what’s next in the IT channel.

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Special from TheVARguy.com: In our latest podcast, Maryann Von Seggern, director of worldwide channels development for Cisco Capital, describes partner financing options from the networking giant.

 

 Podcast: Cisco Financing Options for Managed Service Providers [8:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Peer groups — which allow VARs and managed service providers to measure their business performance against each other — continue to evolve rapidly. The latest move involves a strategic alliance between HTG Peer Groups and ConnectWise. Here are some details, plus a podcast with HTG Founder Arlin Sorensen and ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini.

 

 HTG Peer Groups and ConnectWise [13:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Vyatta positions itself as the open source networking alternative to Cisco Systems. But what exactly does that mean? And how is Vyatta working with Citrix Systems, which recently invested in Vyatta? To find the answers, I spoke with Kelly Herrell (pictured), CEO of Vyatta.

 

 Open Source Networking and Vyatta CEO Kelly Herrelll [11:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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During this MSPmentor Live Podcast, Nimsoft CEO Gary Read (pictured) describes his company’s decision to acquire Cittio’s assets. Read explores what managed service providers and end-customers will gain from the deal, and he also examines the evolving MSP software landscape — which appears poised for consolidation. Now, listen in to the conversation.

 

 Podcast: Nimsoft CEO Gary Read [8:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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During the Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference in Dallas earlier this month, I spoke with CompTIA VP Robert Biddle. Our discussion focused on the CompTIA Security Trustmark accreditation, and its potential implications for VARs, managed service providers, solutions providers, IT vendors and end-users.

 

 Podcast: Security Accreditation for VARs and MSPs [7:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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During MSPmentor Live: Podcast Edition, I speak with David Schafran, president of Transformation Strategies Inc., a consulting firm that helps VARs transition to managed services. Also joining us is Michael Coopersmith, owner Integrated Technology Systems of New York City. We cover how Schafran is helping Coopersmith transition his business for managed services. This is Part I of a planned two-part podcast series. We’ll check back in with Schafran and Coopersmith in a few weeks to measure Integrated Technology Systems’ progress.

 

 MSPmentor Live for May 11: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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First, Ingram Micro VP Justin Crotty said it in an MSPmentor podcast. Now, Ingram Micro CEO Greg Spierkel has said it: The distributor is looking for ways push Ingram Micro Seismic into international markets.

 

 Podcast: Ingram Micro CEO Greg Spierkel [10:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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The Autotask Community Live conference wrapped up yesterday. But the steady flow of content from the conference continues. Here’s my conversation with Autotask CEO Bob Godgart. He provides a healthy reminder that some managed service providers are cutting staff during the recession. But Godgart also delivers some optimistic messages — including a new strategy to eliminate the wall between MSPs and corporate IT. Take a look.

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During a quick video interview, masterIT CEO J. Michael Drake describes his company’s success blending managed services with hardware as a service (HaaS). Drake articulates why HaaS is more than leasing for laptops and desktops. And he offers practical tips for MSPs that want to move in a HaaS direction. The conversation was recorded at Autotask Community Live in Nashville, Tenn. Take a look.

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Our MSPmentor Live: Podcast editions return later this week with three new episodes. We’ve completed interviews with the following managed services and channel experts. Take a look.

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This MSPmentor Live: Podcast wraps up our week-long look at the Master MSP (managed services provider) trend. Our guest is Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty. Our conversation covers the following six topics…

 

 Managed Services Podcast Featuring Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty [13:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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A few readers asked me if our MSPmentor and The VAR Guy podcasts are available on Apple’s iTunes. The answer is “absolutely yes.” They’re all published and bundled in a single iTunes area right here. If you ever lose the link, simply search “thevarguy” on iTunes to find our podcasts again.

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In today’s episode, MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby (pictured) describes her company’s position in the Master MSP market. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast also covers the following five key topics…

 

 Podcast: Master MSP Amy Luby, CEO of MSP Services Network (MSPSN) [9:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I’m confirmed to speak with MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby later today, and I’m chatting with Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty on Friday. Both conversations will be part of our ongoing Master MSP podcast series. Here’s a recap of the series so far.

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In today’s episode, Do IT Smarter President Lane Smith describes his company’s position in the Master MSP market. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast covers the following four key topics:

1. An Overview: How Do IT Smarter got started
2. Beyond hosting: What else master MSPs offer
3. Do IT Smarter and the MSPAlliance
4. Next moves for Do IT Smarter, and aspiring MSPs

Check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center each week for a new podcast. But just for this week, check back daily for a new Master MSP-focused interview.

 

 Podcast: Master MSP Lane Smith From Do IT Smarter: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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In today’s episode — part of our special Master MSP coverage this week — Virtual Administrator’s Chris Amori describes how his company is hosting Kaseya services for VARs and aspiring managed service providers. Plus, he describes Virtual Administrator’s next moves.

 

 Podcast: Master MSP Chris Amori From Virtual Administrator [7:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I interviewed Fonality CEO Chris Lyman for a podcast originally posted on TheVARguy.com. Our discussion offers managed service providers a high-level overview of Fonality’s IP PBX strategy. We touch on such topics as Asterisk, open source, and hybrid-hosted services that combine on-premise solutions with cloud services.

 

 Podcast: Fonality CEO Chris Lyman [11:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I caught up with Stephen Cho, director of Google Apps Channels, for a podcast discussion originally posted on TheVARguy.com. Our conversation explores the search giant’s new partner program for Google Apps. The nine-minute discussion with Cho covers six key topics.

 

 Podcast: Google Apps Reseller Program: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Welcome to MSPmentor Live: Podcast edition. In this episode, I interview Dell’s Greg Davis, VP and GM, Americas Channel Program, about a range of issues (PartnerDirect, managed services, acquisitions, and plenty more). Tune in now…

• Episode #: 009 (August 27, 2008)
• Featured Guest: Greg Davis, VP and GM, Americas Channel Program, Dell Inc.
• Topics Covered: The podcast runs about 15 minutes and has four main sections:
  • 00:49: PartnerDirect: The story so far
  • 05:21: Global partner strategy
  • 07:29: Acquisitions: Sorting out Silverback, Everdream, MessageOne and EqualLogic
  • 13:01: What’s ahead for partners?
• Other Highlights: Davis describes how partners can contact him directly with questions; and he touches on new initiatives that will lower deal registration requirements to $25,000 (from the current minimum of $50,000); plus a push toward IT certifications for vertical markets (health care, federal government), MSPs and ISVs.

And check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center for additional weekly podcasts.

 

 MSPmentor Live: Podcast Featuring Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis [16:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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MSPmentor and its sister site, The VAR Guy, are scheduled to record a podcast August 26 with Greg Davis, vice president and general manager of Dell Inc.’s Americas Channel Group. Davis leads Dell’s PartnerDirect channel initiative. If you have questions or comments for Davis, please send them to our editorial director, Joe Panettieri (joe [at] ninelivesmediainc.com).

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Welcome to MSPmentor Live: Podcast edition.

• Episode #: 008 (June 19, 2008)
• Featured Guest: John Roberts, Co-founder and CEO, SugarCRM
• Topics Covered: We explore SugarCRM’s position in the open source applications market. The company’s growing role in the world of software as a service (SaaS). Partner engagements and hosting partners. And potential long-term plans for a SugarCRM IPO (initial public offering).

And check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center for additional weekly podcasts.

 

 MSPmentor Live: Podcast 008, Featuring SugarCRM CEO John Roberts [15:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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