I’m now convinced that all IT service providers — MSPs, VARs, resellers — need quoting and sales proposals software. Ironically, I reached that conclusion while researching a potential home improvement project. Here’s the back story, and how it shaped my views back in the managed services providers.
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Sales Proposal and Quoting Software: Can You Compete Without it?
Posted January 30th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Jan. 27
Posted January 27th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
I’m packing my bags and heading to the CA Technologies MSP Symposium in a couple of days (Jan. 29-31, Miami, Fla). But before I head for the blogging exit, here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news stories the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending January 27, 2012.
ConnectWise Capital Now Has Cloud Services Triple Play
Posted January 24th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
When LabTech Software launched a cloud edition yesterday, it completed a ConnectWise Capital triple play. Indeed, ConnectWise now essentially has at least three cloud services — ConnectWise Cloud, LabTech Cloud and Quosal On Demand — that MSPs can piece together into an extended business management platform. The net result: I think ConnectWise CEO has found a way to further increase ConnectWise’s valuation.
Bradford Networks Adjusts SMB Channel Strategy
Posted January 23rd, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
Bradford Networks, which specializes in Network Access Control (NAC) security solutions, remains committed to small managed services providers (MSPs) as SMB channel partners, though the company no longer has a dedicated, separate group to pursue that market, according to CEO Dan Haley.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Jan. 13
Posted January 13th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor team is just about ready to unplug for the weekend. Of course, we’ll be around if any big news — or rumors — hit our inbox. But in the meantime here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news stories that MSPmentor’s editorial team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Friday, January 13, 2012.
ConnectWise Capital: Two Years Later
Posted January 3rd, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini and President David Bellini have spent the past two years preparing for software industry convergence and competitive wars. The result: ConnectWise and its investments — most notably LabTech Software and Quosal — have been in growth mode. But ironically, the anticipated MSP software wars never fully emerged. Here’s the back story.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Dec. 30
Posted January 2nd, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
It’s time to shift our managed services coverage back into overdrive. The New Year holiday is over. MSPs are getting back to work. But before you check in with your customers, here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news tips that MSPmentor didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending December 30, 2011.
10 Most Read Managed Services Stories Q3 2011
Posted December 29th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
We’ve nearly reached 2012. But before we all ring in the New Year, MSPmentor is looking back at the most read managed services stories of 2011. We’ve already recapped the 10 most read MSP news stories from Q1 and Q2 2011. Now let’s look at the most read MSP stories from Q3 2011 and the reasons managed services readers tuned in.
Autotask Sells VARStreet Business to VARStreet Employees
Posted December 22nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask has sold VARStreet to VARStreet’s management and employees, ending a 21-month business marriage that never quite clicked. Autotask will focus on international expansion with VARs and MSPs, while VARStreet heads off as an independent company, seeking to help VARs and MSPs to more easily source IT products. Here’s why the two companies ultimately went their separate ways.
Autotask Community Works to Deepen Customer Relationships
Posted December 19th, 2011 by Sponsored Video
Autotask has already celebrated the start of 2012 and with former solution provider and current Senior Vice President of Business Development Len DiCostanzo now heading up Autotask Community, the IT business management software vendor has made some big plans for its partner customers.
Autotask: SMB Proving It’s the Market to Watch in 2012
Posted December 12th, 2011 by Sponsored Video
MSPs can thank the stagnant economy for the surge in SMB adoption of managed services and outsourced IT services — a trend that will continue, believes Mark Cattini, president of Autotask.
Autotask CEO Mark Cattini Expands on International Plans
Posted December 5th, 2011 by Sponsored Video
It’s no secret that Autotask has big plans for international growth in 2012 — and in fact has already started its quest for worldwide expansion by opening an office in London. Autotask CEO Mark Cattini believes it is a natural progression for a company boasting customers in more than 50 countries, and it’s a move that’s beneficial for both Autotask and its partner community.
Managed Services Software Company Funding: Who’s Next?
Posted December 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
By raising $6 million in new funding, Autotask joins a lengthy list of MSP-centric software companies and cloud services providers that has tapped private equity or venture capital — or made acquisitions in 2011. Here’s the scorecard… and a look at two cloud-centric software companies that will very likely raise money next.
Autotask Raises $6 Million for Global Expansion
Posted December 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask has raised $6 million in venture capital and private equity to fund global expansion, a spokesman has confirmed. Also, a report from Albany, N.Y., quoted Autotask CFO Vince Zumbo (pictured), about the new financing. Even before the funding arrived, Autotask apparently spent $1 million on its European expansion this year, the report stated. Here are some perspectives for Autotask’s community of managed services providers and VARs.
Autotask Veteran Joins Network Access Control Vendor Bradford Networks
Posted November 28th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Former Autotask Technical Product Manager Steve Noel (pictured) has joined Bradford Networks as part of a cloud-based security push that focuses on MSPs and the SMB market. Noel joins former MSP leader Amy Luby as Bradford Networks attempts to accelerate its NAC (Network Access Control) security business through channel partners.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Nov. 11
Posted November 13th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor team is heading off to conferences hosted by Synnex and Intel this week. Plus we’ll closely track CA World in Las Vegas. But before MSPmentor kicks off another round of managed services coverage, here are seven blogs the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending November 11.
GFI Max User Conference: Four Questions Worth Asking
Posted November 8th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
GFI Max is hosting its first-ever U.S. customer conference this week (Orlando, Nov. 8-9). The customer conference, which certainly includes VARs and MSPs, offers an important inflection point for GFI and its partners. Indeed, parent GFI Software has acquired numerous companies, and the GFI Max portfolio now includes a range of remote management, security and storage solutions. Where do MSPs fit into the conversation? Here are four questions worth asking during the GFI Max gathering.
GFI Software Acquires Monitis for Cloud Monitoring
Posted October 25th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
GFI Software has acquired Monitis, which develops cloud-based network and systems monitoring software. The GFI-Monitis deal surfaces a few weeks before the first GFI User Conference (Nov. 8-9, Orland0, Fla.). Monitis will march forward as its own brand, while also integrating into the GFI Max RemoteManagement platform, which GFI promotes to MSPs. Meanwhile, there are also signs that GFI and Autotask are working more closely together. Here’s why.
Tigerpaw User Conference: Second Year, New Moves for MSPs?
Posted October 19th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Starting today, several hundred VARs, MSPs and telecom resellers are attending this week’s Tigerpaw User Conference in Dallas. The big question: Can this second-annual Tigerpaw conference build upon last year’s event, which pumped some fresh ideas into the managed services and telecom reseller markets?
Australia – New Zealand: Managed Services Innovations Continue
Posted October 7th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
How’s this for ironic: North America will host several of the world’s largest managed services conferences within the next few weeks. But some of the most interesting managed services innovations continue to occur in Australia and New Zealand. Here’s the blow by blow.
Anecdotal Growth in the Channel
Posted October 7th, 2011 by Ted Roller
Last week was a pretty interesting time in the channel and, as usual, much of the interesting news was announced at SMB Nation. Some of it was made publicly, and some of it was not. What were some of the interesting trends — and the potential implications for MSPs? Read on.
Former Autotask CEO Launches ChannelEyes Social Network
Posted September 30th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Why is former Autotask CEO Bob Godgart also resigning as chairman of the company, effective October 1? The answer surfaced today when Godgart launched ChannelEyes, a Facebook-type social network for channel partners and channel-centric vendors. The VAR Guy has the details and early perspectives.
Former Autotask CEO Bob Godgart Pursues New Venture
Posted September 29th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Former Autotask CEO Bob Godgart is boarding an airplane this morning. Godgart’s apparent destination: the SMB Nation conference in Las Vegas. Godgart is set to step down as Autotask’s chairman, effective October 1, to “pursue a new venture.” So what is he up to?
