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.
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Anecdotal Growth in the Channel
Posted October 7th, 2011 by Ted Roller
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?
Autotask CEO Reveals 2011 Growth Stat, Business Plan
Posted September 16th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask‘s new customer acquisitions (January through August 2011) are up 70 percent vs. the same period last year, according to CEO Mark Cattini. During a wide-ranging interview with MSPmentor today, Cattini (pictured) and Senior VP of Global Sales Kevin Donovan described Autotask’s strategy for continued growth. Cattini and Donovan also described their views on building community with MSPs, software partners, distributors and other participants in the Autotask ecosystem.
Autotask’s European Move: A Sign of Things to Come?
Posted September 8th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Some key names and faces have changed at Autotask this year. But CEO Mark Cattini seems to be executing on an International and cross-platform browser strategy he described in May 2011. The latest example: Autotask has opened its first European office in London, and I sense that more international moves could be coming. But I must concede: I don’t have a “feel” for Autotask’s overall business performance this year, and I’m curious to learn how Cattini feels the company is performing.
As McBain Exits Autotask, What Are CEO Cattini’s Next Moves?
Posted September 1st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask has confirmed that Senior VP Jay McBain is exiting the company later this year. On the one hand, McBain’s overall tenure at Autotask will only be about 12 months. But on the other hand, McBain made some key moves that influenced the company’s messaging and direction with managed services providers. Here’s a look at some of McBain’s moves during his time at Autotask, and some questions I have about Autotask going forward.
MSPmentor 250: Eight Former Members — Where Are They Now?
Posted July 28th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The times they are a changing. Our fourth-annual MSPmentor 250 list is set to debut the week of August 1. The MSPmentor 250 will help you to rapidly build a Rolodex containing managed services experts, entrepreneurs and executive names. But there are big changes to this year’s MSPmentor 250. In fact, here are eight well-known industry names who didn’t make this year’s edition…
CompTIA Breakaway 2011: Seven Trends Worth Tracking
Posted July 18th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
My next business trip is CompTIA Breakaway 2011 (Aug. 1-4, Washington, D.C.). Predictably, the worlds of cloud services and managed services will converge at Breakaway. But I expect several other trends to emerge at the conference. Here’s a preview, along with seven trends that I hope to track at CompTIA Breakaway.
Autotask Readies On Tour Road Show
Posted July 14th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask is marching forward with its On Tour road show strategy, which will start in mid-September and visit 15 cities initially. The On Tour show is a reboot of sorts for Autoask. The company hosts a successful annual conference — called Autotask Community Live. But Autotask’s attempt to build face-to-face community-oriented events didn’t gain much traction in 2010.
Autotask Veteran Bob Vogel Launches B2 Marketing
Posted June 30th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Bob Vogel, most recently executive director of demand generation at Autotask, has left the company to launch B2 Marketing, which offers “specialized marketing products and strategic marketing consulting, exclusively for MSPs, VARs, IT Solution Providers, Systems Integrators and IT consultants.” Vogel’s departure is the latest change at Autotask since the company hired CEO Mark Cattini in December 2010. Here’s the update.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: June 10
Posted June 13th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Our managed services coverage stretched into the weekend as we blogged live from the TruMethods Schnizzfest conference in Philadelphia, Pa. But what blogs didn’t we have time to write for the week ending June 10, 2011? I’m glad you asked. Here are the top seven…
That’s A Wrap: Bob Godgart’s Last Day at Autotask
Posted May 31st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
A decade after launching Autotask, former CEO Bob Godgart wrapped up his final day at the company today. Although Godgart remains chairman of the PSA software provider, he no longer has a day-to-day role at Autotask. Here’s the update and some perspectives on Godgart’s legacy in the managed services market.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: May 27
Posted May 30th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor team is recharging a bit before heading off to multiple conferences over the next two weeks. Here’s a look at our next destinations. Plus, the seven managed services blogs we didn’t have time to write for the week ending May 27, 2011.
Autotask Completes CEO Shift; Godgart Exits Daily Decisions
Posted May 22nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
It’s been roughly five months since Autotask hired Mark Cattini as CEO and Bob Godgart transitioned to Chairman and Chief Visionary Officer (CVO). Based on a few educated guesses and some background conversations at Autotask Community Live, I think it’s safe to say Godgart will symbolically hand the leadership baton to Cattini on Monday, May 23, and I suspect Godgart will step away from day-to-day Autotask operations really soon.
Autotask Community Live: 9 Questions for the Executive Team
Posted May 20th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
I’m confirmed to interview several Autotask executives during Autotask Community Live (May 22-24, Miami, Fla.). I’ve already previewed 10 key themes for the event. But here are nine key topics and questions I hope to raise during sit-downs with Autotask CEO Mark Cattini (pictured), CVO Bob Godgart and Senior VP Jay McBain.
Autotask Community Live Preview: 10 Themes Worth Tracking
Posted May 18th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
More than 700 people — mostly managed services providers and VARs — are registered to attend next week’s Autotask Community Live conference (May 22-24, Miami, Fla.). There will be a flood of news announcements. But what’s really going on behind the curtains? And what key questions should attendees be asking? Here are 10 trends, themes and potential news nuggets that MSPmentor will pursue at the conference.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: May 13
Posted May 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Greetings from Las Vegas. Starting May 16, I’ll shift my focus to Lenovo Accelerate 2011: Channel Partner Forum, held here at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort. In the meantime here are seven managed services blog entries the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending May 13, 2011.
Jay McBain: The View From Inside Autotask
Posted March 23rd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Within the halls of Autotask Corp., there’s talk about knocking down a firewall. The chatter goes something like this: The Autotask online community has roughly 34,667 users — mostly MSPs and VARs. But outside of Autotask (outside the firewall, that is) few solutions providers know about the community. Jay McBain, senior VP of strategy and market development, is aiming to change that. On the job for roughly 100 days now, McBain is part of a growing Autotask executive team that wants to more fully leverage the existing Autotask online community while pushing deeper into new verticals worldwide. Here’s how.
Autotask Hires CFO With IPO, M&A Experience
Posted March 22nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask has hired Vince Zumbo (pictured) as chief financial officer. Zumbo joins Autotask as the PSA (professional services automation) specialist expands its executive ranks and leverages the cloud to build tighter bonds between solutions providers and their end-customers. Zumbo has extensive experience with high-tech IPOs (initial public offerings), mergers & acquisitions, and exit strategies.
Autotask Community Live: New Leadership, New Messages?
Posted March 10th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
As the Autotask Community Live conference approaches (May 22-24, Miami), there are clear signs new CEO Mark Cattini (pictured) is putting his own stamp of leadership on the company. A quick look at the agenda shows continued synergies between CEO Cattini and Chief Visionary Officer Bob Godgart. But a deeper dive also reveals how Autotask and its community leadership team may evolve under Cattini.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: March 4
Posted March 6th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
I managed to unplug completely on Saturday. But there’s still some unfinished business MSPmentor needs to address. Specifically, the seven managed services blog entries the MSPmentor team didn’t write for the week ending March 4, 2011. Here they are.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: Feb. 18
Posted February 18th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor team plans to unplug for a full three days as the U.S. celebrates Presidents’ Day Weekend. (Of course, we may surface if any big, breaking news happens over the extended weekend.) In the meantime, here are seven managed services blogs MSPmentor didn’t find time to write for the week ending Feb. 18.
Incoming Autotask Senior VP Jay McBain: Why He Made the Move
Posted December 22nd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
After three days of speculation, Lenovo SMB channel veteran Jay McBain today confirmed he has joined Autotask, the PSA (professional services automation) specialist. McBain signs on as senior VP, strategy and market development. He joins the company as Autotask expands its executive team, shifts CEO responsibilities, and seeks to push beyond MSP communities for future SaaS growth. Here’s the update, including an MSPmentor FastChat Video with McBain.
