MSPmentor

Symantec Protection Network (SPN), a software as a service (SaaS) platform launched in May 2008, is off to a solid start with managed service providers and VARs, according to Symantec Senior Director Chris Schin.

Still, Schin concedes that SaaS and the IT channel “are warming up to each other slowly.” His point applies to SaaS across the board — and certainly isn’t limited to Symantec. I spoke with Schin today to get an update on SPN and Symantec’s SaaS strategy for partners. Here’s a quick recap of the conversation.

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When it comes to hosted email, why zig when you can zag? That explains the strategy at EtomicMail, a managed service provider that’s hosting Zimbra — an open source email platform — rather than Microsoft Exchange.

Here’s a look at EtomicMail’s strategy, and the potential lessons learned for rival managed service providers.

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The MSPAlliance, working with Varilease, has launched a leasing program for its managed service provider (MSP) membership. Here’s a bit more on the MSPAlliance’s leasing program, along with other MSP industry leasing options. Read More >

Software as a service (SaaS) and open source continue to converge. The latest example is Apatar On-Demand, which now synchronizes Salesforce.com CRM and Intuit QuickBooks accounting software.

Apatar specializes in open source tools for data integration. And filling the gap between Salesforce.com and QuickBooks should be of great interest to VARs and managed service providers. Here’s a bit more about some of the trends here.

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The iPhone 3G goes on sale July 11, but Azaleos — a top managed service provider focused on Exchange Server — is already promoting a strategy for the new Apple device. Smart move. I wonder: Why aren’t more MSPs copying the Azaleos iPhone strategy? Read More >

All About Nortel, a solid blog from Mark Evans, raises an interesting question about Deloitte’s decision to leverage managed telepresence services from Nortel Networks. Here’s a look at Mark’s analysis. I’m not suggesting there’s anything shady about the Nortel-Deloitte deal. But Evans is smart to point out the irony.

Microsoft has announced pricing and partner details for Microsoft Online Services — the company’s software as a service (SaaS) product portfolio. At the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston, the company also pushed downstream with entry-level SaaS offerings for so-called “deskless workers” who don’t spend much time on computers but still need to collaborate with peers.

Here’s a quick overview of the product portfolio, and the implications for managed service providers.

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Much like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, our SaaS 20 Stock Index has fallen off a cliff and is nearing bear market territory this year. Indeed, our index — which tracks the software as a service industry — slid another 3.89% for the week ended July 3, and it’s now down 19.63% for 2008.

Here are some of the recent low points — and some reasons to maintain your long-term faith in SaaS.

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