Call it the latest shot in the emerging MSP software wars. Autotask — in an apparent bid to counter ConnectWise, LabTech Software and maybe even Kaseya — has reached out to several RMM (remote monitoring and management) software companies with a free Autotask Go offer. Level Platforms and PacketTrap embraced the offer, but not all RMM players are joining the Autotask Go freemium effort. Here’s the update … plus the potential implications for VARs and MSPs.
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MSP Software War: RMM Providers Offer Free Autotask Go
Posted November 8th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
10 Ways Surveys Can Boost Your Service Provider Business
Posted July 20th, 2010 by Bob Godgart
I’m always impressed when the service providers I work with take the time to ask me how things are going. When it comes to checking in with customers, consumer-oriented companies are pretty savvy. They know that regular customer satisfaction check-ins will help to maximize customer retention, and help them figure out how to best position themselves to win new business. But businesses that provide services to other businesses have been slower to figure this out, and I’m continually surprised at how few companies in the IT business regularly conduct surveys of their customers.
Automate to Achieve the Ideal Hybrid IT Business Model
Posted May 10th, 2010 by Bob Godgart
For years the prevailing wisdom has been for IT solution providers to focus less on moving products, and more toward a business model built primarily on services delivery. The conventional thinking was that product sales involve too much work for too little margin, while services allow for more predictable and stable recurring revenue.
Autotask Community Live: 13 Final Observations
Posted April 20th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
As the second-annual Autotask Community Live conference wraps up in Miami, here are 13 observations and takeaways for managed services providers (MSPs) and VARs. Among the highlights on my mind…
MSPs: Reinvention Once Again Is the Key to Success
Posted March 8th, 2010 by Bob Godgart
In today’s fast-paced world of technology, new IT issues — and new solutions — can arise in the blink of an eye. This poses a unique challenge for MSPs and VARs trying to stay ahead of the game while simultaneously working to contain costs and maximize ROI. After all, if you can’t or don’t evolve with ongoing service advancements you will quickly begin to lose customers to those competitors who continually find ways to reinvent themselves. So, what’s your next move? Here’s some guidance.
Increasing Business Efficiency: Nine Questions You Need to Ask
Posted February 4th, 2010 by Bob Godgart
To follow the ideas I presented in my January blog post, Getting Ready for the Rebound, we’re all looking to do more with less in 2010. That’s easy to say, but executing the concept in your day-to-day-operations can be a challenge. Here are nine questions you need to consider as you strive to make your business more efficient.
Autotask Go! Now Has Single User License Option
Posted October 5th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It’s not a per-user price cut. But Autotask has found a way to lower the barrier of entry for Autotask Go!, the company’s cloud-based professional services automation (PSA) software. Specifically, Autotask Go! is now available in a single user license of $29. Here are some details above the move, plus some thoughts on the cloud competition between Autotask and ConnectWise.
Autotask vs. ConnectWise: Who’s Got Cloud?
Posted September 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I apologize — in advance — for once again positioning ConnectWise and Autotask against each other. It’s not my mission in life. But the rival PSA (professional services automation) software providers continue to counter each other on a range of fronts. The latest move: ConnectWise announced a cloud-based platform today. Next up, Autotask is planning a cloud announcement on Oct. 5. Here are the details plus some perspectives.
PSA: Global Managed Services Moves Continue
Posted July 22nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The battle for U.S. managed services dominance is old news. Autotask and ConnectWise, two leading providers of professional services automation (PSA) software, have expanded their attention to international opportunities. You can almost see ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini and Autotask CEO Bob Godgart locked in a personal, global game of Risk.
ConnectWise Cuts Hosted Pricing
Posted July 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
ConnectWise is taking aggressive steps in the hosted software market. The PSA (professional services automation) software provider next week is expected to “officially” announce lower Hosted ConnectWise pricing. But word of the move is already spreading across Twitter. Here are the implications.
Autotask: Go Big, Go Global, And Tweet All the Way
Posted March 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I’ll be at the Autotask Community Live conference starting March 29, but news slated for the event is starting to leak out on Autotask’s Twitter feed. Here are three Autotask tweets that caught my ears (actually, my eyes).
Ingram Micro Seismic: Master MSP Planning for European, Australian Expansion
Posted February 27th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Ingram Micro Seismic, one of North America’s largest Master MSPs (managed service providers) is planning to expand its services to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The only question: When?
Autotask Go! Lands In Australia
Posted February 18th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Australia and New Zealand remain hotbeds for managed services activity. The latest example: Autotask Go! — an entry-level professional services automation tool — is now available in the region as a hosted service. Autotask isn’t alone in its Australia moves. Here’s a look at some of the regional trends, and a potential remaining challenge.
Professional Services Automation: Autotask Upgrades Autotask Pro and Autotask Go!
Posted November 18th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask today is expected to announce upgrades to Autotask Pro and Autotask Go!, the company’s family of professional services automation (PSA) Software.
Autotask Extends Offer to Microsoft Partners
Posted May 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Even as the world shifts from Windows to the Web, Microsoft partners remain highly coveted. The latest example: Autotask has announced a special offer for Microsoft Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) partners. It reminds me (somewhat) of a free offer N-able made to Microsoft partners in April.
N-able Makes Microsoft Partners Free Offer
Posted April 14th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
N-able Technologies wants to win the hearts and minds of Microsoft’s North American partners and managed service providers. Indeed, N-able is offering Microsoft partners a free one-year subscription to a new software as a service (SaaS) platform called N-central Express.
Managed Services Without Big Up-Front Costs
Posted November 7th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
Call it the managed services paradox: Plenty of VARs want to offer managed services, but they often lack deep enough pockets to pay for robust managed services platforms. What’s the solution to this financial shortfall? Here are a few options.
Branding: Skip the Lite Stuff
Posted September 28th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask made an intriguing move this week with its product branding. Solutions providers and software companies should take note. As Autotask prepared to launch an entry-level MSP solution, the company must have been tempted to call it “Autotask Lite.” In my humble opinion that would have been a mistake. Here’s why.
Ready, Set, Go to Managed Services for $99
Posted September 28th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
If cost is the biggest hurdle standing between you and a managed services practice, consider this: Autotask has launched a new, low-cost managed services platform called Autotask Go! The hosted MSP platform has a fixed fee of $99 and no start-up costs. And the user interface resembles intuitive, consumer-oriented designs (a la Quicken or Google Analytics).
