Master MSPs offer a range of training and tools to VARs and aspiring MSPs. Many Master MSPs promote help desk services, NOCs (network operations centers), remote monitoring and management software (RMM) and professional services automation software (PSA) to VARs, aspiring MSPs and established MSPs.
Master MSPs — which offer VARs and peer MSPs a range of services — are evolving in multiple directions. Some Master MSPs continue to successfully onboard VARs and assist the MSP transformation process. Others have exited the market because it’s challenging to recruit and retain fledgling MSPs as paying customers. And generally speaking, I think some Master MSPs are shifting their focus to a cloud aggregator role. So what’s the difference between a cloud aggregator and a master MSP? Here are some educated guesses.
Distributors continue to ramp up their managed services strategies. The latest example: Arrow ECS (Enterprise Computing Solutions) is building out an Arrow Fusion Services strategy that includes professional services, consulting, cloud services, education and support. Within the cloud initiative, Arrow has introduced selected managed services for VARs and MSPs. Lee Fawsett, VP of Fusion Services, shared some updates with me yesterday.
A new round of competition may be emerging in the managed services market. It goes something like this: Ingram Micro spent several years building its Seismic managed services business for VARs and MSPs. Now, Synnex — an Ingram rival — has launched its latest managed services initiative. So is Synnex chasing Ingram — or is Synnex truly innovating on its own? I’ve organized some thoughts based on this week’s Ingram Micro VTN (Chicago) and Synnex Varnex (Boston) channel gatherings.
Master MSPs — which offer education and multiple hosted services to VARs and aspiring managed services providers — seem to be evolving in multiple directions. Some are becoming cloud aggregators. Others are expanding their SMB channel training services. But one thing is clear: No two Master MSPs seem to have the same business plan these days. Here’s why.
Level Platforms has launched Managed Workplace Cloud Edition, a hosted remote monitoring and management platform for MSPs. Take a closer look and you’ll notice some evolving partnership strategies in the managed services ecosystem. Indeed, NaviSite is hosting Managed Workplace Cloud Edition for Level Platforms. Plus, a longstanding relationship between Level Platforms and Ingram Micro Services and Ingram Micro Seismic is evolving…
Ingram Micro and Synnex, two large rival distributors, each are preparing more moves in the managed services and cloud computing markets. Some details may emerge the week of April 10 — when Synnex hosts Varnex in Boston and Ingram Micro hosts VTN Spring in Chicago. In the meantime, Renee Bergeron, VP of managed services and cloud computing at Ingram Micro, may provide some updates at the Parallels Summit in Orlando, Fla., next week.
Tenzing Managed IT Services has launched its first channel program, formalizing relations with partners and putting the company on the master MSP path. The company’s Tenzing Partner Program lets integrators, VARs, and other partners offer its managed hosting services. Tenzing, based in Canada, operates data centers in Toronto, Vancouver, and Kelowna, B.C. The centers support SaaS and e-commerce applications.
Multiple sources confirm that Synnex, the massive distributor, has launched a multi-vendor managed services effort that includes Axcient, Intronis, Level Platforms and Reflexion Networks — though additional software partners could be coming. Here’s the update.
It’s been roughly three months since ClearPointe acquired Do IT Smarter, a well-known Master MSP. We decided to check back in with Do IT Smarter’s Lane Smith (pictured) to get some perspective on (A) how he built Do IT Smarter and (B) key lessons learned from the M&A process. Here’s the update.
DirectPointe, an MSP based in Lindon, Utah, has launched a platform-as-a-service monitoring solution for its customers and will eventually let other MSPs tap the tool.
Synnex, the distributor, is preparing a one-million-node managed services freemium strategy, sources reiterated today. Those sources say Intronis, Reflexion and Level Platforms will likely participate in the effort, potentially empowering MSPs with online backup, spam filtering in the cloud, and remote monitoring and management (RMM) software. Here’s the story so far… and the potential implications.
For the third time in roughly a year, ClearPointe has made a managed services-related acquisition. The latest deal involves Do IT Smarter, a well-known Master MSP in San Diego. Will Do IT Smarter President Lane Smith and his peers stick around under ClearPointe ownership? And what will become of the Do IT Smarter brand? Here are some clear answers, according to prepared statements from Do IT Smarter and ClearPointe.
Virtual Administrator, a well-known Master MSP, has selected Live Virtual Help Desk (LVHD, pictured) to offer 24×7 help desk services to its community of managed services providers. The move highlights Virtual Administrator’s continued partner program expansion, and LVHD’s growing ecosystem of relationships across the MSP market. Here’s a bit more on the deal, plus some more background on help desk services for MSPs.
Amicus ITS, a European-based managed services provider, is building a partner network across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Southampton-based company expects the international network to generate £10 million in first year revenues. Here’s a closer look at the strategy, which includes a close working relationship with N-able.
Ingram Micro has found Justin Crotty’s successor. The distributor has named Renée Bergeron as VP of managed services and cloud computing for its North America region. Translation: Bergeron has a slightly different title, but she essentially succeeds Crotty as the head of the Ingram Micro Services Network, Seismic services portfolio and the Cloud Conduit Initiative and Advisory Council. Here are additional details.
When you start a business, most pundits tell you to focus on what you do best and ignore every other distraction and temptation. But small business blogger Stephanie Chandler says running multiple businesses could be the smartest decision you’ve ever made. I’m intrigued. And I think Chandler’s examples can be extended into the managed services market. Here’s why.
During CompTIA Breakaway, I spent most of Wednesday in partner and executive meetings. Most of the chatter, predictably, involved managed services and the cloud. But what exactly did I hear? It’s going to take me a few days to pull together some deeper thoughts and analysis. But here are five observations from Day 3 of CompTIA Breakaway in San Antonio, Texas.
After several months of waiting, it sounds like a growing list of partners are now ready to offer Kaseya’s cloud-based managed services tools to VARs and managed services providers. The latest Kaseya cloud partners to go live include ASCii Group and Cloud Services Depot. Here’s the update.
Our next MSPmentor Live Webcast is today (Wednesday, June 23) at 2:00 p.m. eastern. Three top MSPs plus ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini are prepared to discuss seven ways you can triple your recurring revenue. Also, it sounds to me like the guest MSPs will describe why they are abandoning per-device pricing. Here are some more clues about what we’ll cover.
Ingram Micro North America Services VP Justin Crotty (pictured), leader of the company’s Seismic managed services business, is leaving Ingram Micro July 2. Sometime in mid-2010, Crotty will join NetEnrich, an IT-as-a-service company that works closely with distributors and channel partners. Here are the details.
Same story, different month. Long View Systems, ranked near the top of our 2010 MSPmentor 100 research, is the latest managed services provider to earn Cisco’s Managed Services Master Certification. Before mid-2009, Cisco seemed to be doing everything wrong in the managed services market. But by October 2009 or so, Cisco seemed to have turned the corner with MSPs — with new partners signing on each month. Why’s that? Here’s the story.
When it comes to the managed services market, Synnex President and CEO Kevin Murai (pictured) doesn’t live in an ivory tower. During an interview yesterday in New York, Murai offered specific details about how Synnex — a specialty distributor — plans to engage more and more managed services providers (MSPS). As expected, the effort includes a close working relationship with itControl Solutions, a software company in Toronto. Here are some details.
The Ingram Micro VTN event is over. Now, I’m heading off to the HP Americas Partner Conference and Cisco Partner Summit, as is my blogging partner in crime. Last week was pretty intense covering Ingram as well as Autotask Community Live in Florida. Here are seven managed services blog entries the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending April 23, 2010.
