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For the second time in January 2010, there’s major M&A activity within the VAR500. The latest example involves World Wide Technology snapping up Performance Technology Group. The deal potentially bolsters World Wide Technology’s managed services offering in the government market. Here are some quick details.
Our first MSPmentor Live webcast of 2010 is scheduled for January 20. Here’s a look at the topic, our guest speakers and two surprises (hint: they involve Amazon’s Kindle) we have in store for the webcast.
If only you had more time — or more cash — to build your business in 2010. Sure, you can reach out to a credit union or local bank for a line of credit. But I’m starting to hear from managed service providers (MSPs) who are mulling another path: Finding an angel investor. Smart move?
Spiceworks, which develops network monitoring tools for corporate IT and managed service providers, has raised $16 million in series C funding. The financial move is noteworthy for several reasons involving managed services, software as a service (SaaS) and advertising-based systems. Here are some quick observations.
iYogi, which provides remote PC support to consumers and small businesses, has raised roughly $15 million in its third round of funding. On the upside: The news shows continued financial investment in remote managed services. On the downside: The investment is another warning sign that MSPs need to move beyond basic remote management. Here’s why.
Just when I was set to unplug for the night, I noticed another managed services industry merger — the second of the day. This one involves Presidio Inc. and Coleman Technologies Inc. — two VAR500 companies. The duo will combine to create a $1.1 billion Cisco-centric managed service provider that also has VMware, HP and Microsoft expertise. Here are the preliminary details plus some analysis.
Talk about timing. I spent the bulk of my morning writing about the Freemium trend across the managed services market. Within a few hours I spotted this little item: Microsoft is building a free, advertising-based suite called Office 2010 Starter. Here are the details.
Free. Freemium. Free trial. Free education. Free content. More and more, I hear the word “free” across the managed services market. I’m not pressing the panic button — good managed service providers are still charging a premium for their offerings. But I do wonder how the “free” story is going to play out. Here are some thoughts.
I’m hearing more and more buzz about open-book management across the managed services market. In theory, opening your financial books to employees allows everyone within your company to focus more aggressively on business results and profitability. But does open-book management really work?
Apparently, credit markets continue to open up and lenders are interested in well-run managed service providers. The latest evidence: Peak 10, which specializes in managed services, has expanded its credit facility to $95 million. Here’s how Peak 10 plans to use the money.
A new wave of optimism is building across the managed services market. Executives from Nimsoft, N-able and other software providers are making upbeat statements about 2010. I certainly agree with the core thesis — many MSPs are going to benefit from an improving economy. But I will repeat a familiar theme around MSPmentor: The rising economic tide won’t lift all MSP boats. Here’s why.
Our first MSPmentor Live webcast of 2010 is scheduled for January 20. Our guest speakers — representing three top managed service providers and Nimsoft — will cover key questions for growth-oriented small, midsize and large MSPs. Here’s a closer look at the webcast.
Adios 2009! Great to see you! In the rear view mirror, that is. Congrats to all those MSPs that persevered through the melt down — and even grew their business through the dismal macroeconomic climate. I’m on the record for calling 2010 a banner year for MSP revenue growth — but what about profit? EBITDA? Anybody that has ever talked to an investment banker, thought about selling their business, or buying someone else’s business knows that EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) is a proxy for operating cash flow and one of the key multipliers that goes into an MSP business valuation. Is your business model shaped to achieve record EBITDA as your revenue trajectory zooms?
Back in a May 2009 podcast, I spoke with David Schafran and Michael Coopersmith about how a consultant can help a solutions provider transform into a managed service provider. Fast forward to December 2009, and I followed up with Schafran (president of Transformation Strategies Inc.) and Coopersmith (owner of Integrated Technology Systems of New York City) to see how the the business transformation was proceeding. Here is part two of the two-part podcast.
So, what generated buzz on MSPmentor in 2009? Here’s a look at the individual blog entries that attracted the most readership for Q2 (April – June) 2009…
So, what generated buzz on MSPmentor in 2009? Here’s a look at the individual blog entries that attracted the most readership for Q1 (January – March) 2009…
Everon Technology Services, a managed service provider that lands regularly on the Inc. 5000 and MSPmentor 100 lists, is starting to target the hardware as a service (HaaS) market. Everon’s HaaS move is important for at least two reasons. First, it leverages a relationship with CharTec. Second, Everon is savvy when it comes to marketing and end-customer education. So Everon’s efforts and learnings could help accelerate the HaaS industry. Here’s a bit more background.
Generally speaking, I avoid the temptation to write big “prediction” pieces as the New Year approaches. My crystal ball is as foggy as the next guy’s. And sometimes a list of predictions is nothing more than a lame attempt to gain more reader eyeballs. Still, I do have some strong opinions about where MSPs and technology companies should head in 2010. Here are some quick thoughts.
A number of cloud-related companies have attracted investment from venture capital firms in recent weeks and doubtless many more are queuing up for funding as well. So, just what are VCs looking for in an investment candidate?
I’m in D.C. awaiting my flight home to New York. It’s my final business flight of the year. But before I board, here are seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor didn’t have time to write for the week ending Dec. 18, 2009.
Many of MSPmentor’s readers are entrepreneurs — the folks who launch and fund VARs, managed service providers and IT consulting firms. Many of those readers are dealing with the following paradox: You’re trying to decide how much of your own money to pump into your company in 2010. But you don’t know your own net worth. That’s a potential problem…
If you still doubt the power — and influence — of peer groups then check out a recent announcement involving CompTIA and HTG Peer Groups. The relationship is the latest indication that big associations and vendors see peer groups — comprising VARs and MSPs — as fertile ground for growth. Here’s why.
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