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Understanding the Managed Services Hype Cycle
Posted February 13th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Some pundits say managed services will become a commodity. I disagree. Managed services are not a single technology. Rather, managed service provider (MSP) platforms are a way to continually deliver new solutions to customers.
Think of it this way: As one managed service matures (for instance, managed storage) a new managed service will emerge (for instance, video surveillance). In order to show this visually, let’s take a look at Gartner’s famed Hype Cycle chart.
Now stick with me, and I’l quickly explain how I see the MSP market evolving.
Stop, Look and Listen on February 28
Posted February 8th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Sometimes, managed service providers ignore deep, informative, free information about their industry and the overall economy. One of the easiest ways to gather valuable information is to listen to investor conference calls. As a case in point: Salesforce.com is scheduled to announce quarterly results on February 28. The news will surely give Wall Street — and solutions providers — a much-needed software-as-a-service (SaaS) reality check. Read More >
RightNow Proves SaaS Isn’t Perfect
Posted January 31st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Generally speaking, software as a service (SaaS) is a great business model for tech companies and their customers. But a flood of press coverage has suggested that SaaS specialists are immune to an economic slowdown or recession.
Once again, MSPmentor wants to go on the record stating that this just isn’t true. The latest example: RightNow, a leading SaaS provider, has delivered a disappointing financial forecast. Here’s a quick look at the situation at RightNow, and some big-picture thoughts on SaaS. Read More >
Economy Starting to Impact SaaS, Open Source
Posted January 22nd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Nobody, it seems, is immune to an economic slowdown.
As the Bulls and Bears do battle on Wall Street, certain technology sectors will hold up better than others during a slowing economy.
Managed services seems to be holding its own, and Autotask’s CEO remained upbeat during a call with me yesterday. But two other hot buttons — Software as a Service and Open Source — are now coming under Wall Street’s skeptical microscope.
Yes, I’ve predicted that companies like Red Hat and Salesforce.com (along with MSP platform providers) will weather the economic storm better than traditional closed-source or on-premise software companies. However… Read More >
