MSPmentor

There’s a new twist to certification in the managed services market. N-able Technologies and the MSPAlliance are jointly promoting certification and accreditation for managed service providers.

If you’re looking to save money while getting certified, this may be an option: All N-able partners will receive a 33 percent discount on the standard fee associated with MSPAlliance’s Managed Services Accreditation exam, according to a joint statement from the duo.

Further, partners that obtain MSPA accreditation and are in “good standing” with N-able will be automatically enrolled in N-able’s new MSP certification program, the duo says.

This joint announcement comes as many MSPs are weighing their options and considering the potential benefits and challenges associated with certification, as reported by MSPmentor on March 30.

Here’s some more background on the joint certification work between the MSPAlliance and N-able. Read More >

Many VARs get certified for vendor-specific technology (Microsoft, Cisco, etc.). But a new wave of certifications and accreditations — focused on the managed service provider and software as a service (SaaS) markets — is emerging.

Certifications can help customers to find top-notch partners, and it potentially helps to weed weaker service providers out of the market.

But certifications and accreditations also introduce a new challenge: Small VARs and solutions providers that are just getting started in the managed services industry may not be able to afford certification fees. As an industry, we certainly don’t want to create a new digital divide — where deep-pocketed MSPs can afford certification but savvy startups can’t.

So, what’s the solution? Here are some thoughts, and I’d welcome yours as well. Read More >

MSP Alliance President Charles Weaver spent some time telling me about the organization’s new accreditation program during a conference last month. Sounds like the program is gaining some traction.

So far, eight vendors have received the accreditation, including Asigra, Dell/SilverBack, Do IT Smarter, Intel, LiveCargo, N-able, Untangle and XRoads Networks, according to Web Host Industry News. Roughly 50 vendors are on track to receive the accreditation by the close of 2007, Weaver told WHIN. So what’s the upside for managed service providers? The accreditation appears to offer four clear benefits to MSPs and their customers. Read More >