MSPmentor

Microsoft is spending considerable time this week talking up Forefront “Stirling,” a suite of integrated security products for desktop, server and network management. Although Stirling won’t arrive until the first half of 2009, I wonder if it will evolve to become a managed security service platform.  Read More >

After a year of anticipation, Symantec finally launched its managed service/software-as-a-service platform today. The Symantec Protection Network (SPN) initially supports storage services, with security services expected to arrive later this year or sometime in 2009.

Right out of the gate, SPN offers close integration with Symantec Backup Exec. That’s an important point: Hooks between SPN and Backup Exec could provide VARs and MSPs with a powerful one-two punch in the managed services market. Here’s why. Read More >

For the second time in a week, I’m hearing buzz about managed service providers working more closely with Amazon.com’s Simple Storage Service (also known as Amazon S3). For MSPs, the trick is embracing a reliable back-end storage service without mitigating your own brand in the market. Read More >

In less than a year, Dell has made three key acquisitions to pump up its managed services and software as a service (SaaS) business. The latest acquisition involves MessageOne, which specializes in email continuity, compliance and archiving as a managed service. Here’s the scoop, and the bigger picture on Dell’s managed services push. Read More >

Chances are, plenty of managed service providers are popping up in your neighborhood. In addition to worrying about local competition, you better keep an eye on global competition. A case in point: Sify Technologies Ltd. of India is launching managed security services that have global reach. Here’s why you should care. Read More >

From EMC to Symantec, storage companies want their piece of the managed services pie. Toward that end, EMC is launching a software-as-a-service platform that allows customers to backup their information to EMC data centers. Meanwhile, Symantec is putting the final touches on its Symantec Protection Network — which will allow VARs to offer storage management services to their customers.

For managed service providers, the race is on to find a storage service that complements their existing platforms and sales strategies. Companies such as Symantec and Vembu have vowed to promote their managed storage services through channel partners, while direct sales veterans such as EMC still receive a healthy dose of skepticism from potential partners. Read More >

Can software as a service (SaaS) and managed services keep you afloat during a sinking economy? That continues to be the buzz on Wall Street and across the blogosphere. I’m not predicting a recession — I’ve always been a glass-half-full type of guy — and I also don’t want to hype SaaS and managed services as a cure-all for economic wounds. With all of those caveats in mind, I do believe solutions providers should focus on SaaS, managed services and open source as their three cornerstones in 2008. Here’s why. Read More >

As I look into 2008, I’m starting to think that online backup has become a commodity — a managed service that every MSP has to offer as part of a larger suite of services. Thanks to heightened competition, the days of offering online backup as your one and only managed service are over.

Dozens of companies specialize in online backup. Big companies have purchased their way into the online backup game (example: Seagate acquired eVault in December 2006). And established software companies are now moving into the market (example: Symantec Protection Network will likely launch in January 2008). And let’s not forget about CommVault’s new online backup service. And there’s also Asigra, which says its Televaulting software now has 50,000 remote sites under protection.

So how can smaller MSPs compete in this very crowded market? I see two clear opportunities. Read More >