MSPmentor

I was introduced to B2Bcfo.com’s Keith Simmons (pictured) by my CPA. I don’t often get together for a cup of coffee with a stranger, but because my accountant is someone I really trust, I decided to do it. We had no particular agenda except to see if there might be some common interests, and indeed there were. Keith is a partner in a fascinating business that helps small firms have access to expert chief financial officers on a temporary basis. His focus is Long Island and the New York metro area, but his company has partners nationwide.

He answers some of my entrepreneur-focused questions here. Read More >

Dell Managed Services, working closely with IBM, has won a massive managed services deal with the State of Georgia. Check out www.theVARguy.com (MSPmentor’s sister site) for exclusive details, and some perspective on Dell’s position in the managed services market.

During these uncertain economic times, MSPmentor wants to help readers find fantastic careers in the managed services market.

Within the next few days, we will launch a job board on MSPmentor. If you’d like to advertise a position — for free — here’s how to do so:

Read More >

Autotask today is expected to announce upgrades to Autotask Pro and Autotask Go!, the company’s family of professional services automation (PSA) Software.

The software helps VARs and managed service providers to establish, monitor and track service response goals, as well as manage Service Level Agreements, according to Autotask.

The upgrades, expected to be released today through Autotask’s Software as a Service (SaaS) design, allows Autotask’s 25,000 current users to take the following steps: Read More >

I’ve spent a bunch of time the past several days thinking about ways to reconnect with people who’ve been important to me in various periods of my life. I’ve done a so-so job staying in touch, but the older I get the more important staying in contact feels.

So I did a few things that helped, using services like SentOutCards, LinkedIn and Facebook. Here are the details. Read More >

I got an email yesterday from a managed service provider located in the Southeastern United States. In it, he wrote:

“Joe we have had three clients pare back their contracts just today due to layoffs. We charge by the machine. What are u hearing?”

Unfortunately, I’m hearing similar stories from across the United States. But I also heard a key story from a managed service provider in Michigan. Here’s how he’s staying close to customers and driving new revenue opportunities in the bad economy.

Read More >

If you’re a managed service provider building out your own data center, this list of top 10 considerations from Emerson Network Power may assist your efforts.

Some technology vendors are canceling face-to-face events to conserve cash. Other technology pundits are embracing telepresence to drive video conference discussions.

It’s wise to closely monitor your business spending. But it’s time for managed service providers to emulate George Costanza of Seinfeld fame. In one classic episode of the sitcom, George discovers he’s far more successful when he does the exact opposite of his initial instincts.

Translation: While everyone else is canceling business travel you should get out on the road. Now. Here’s why.

Read More >