Breaking news: According to a blog entry and video post from Cisco Channel Chief Keith Goodwin, Cisco “recently notified HP that we will not renew its System Integrator contract when it expires on April 30, 2010.” Translation: Cisco and HP are now full-time rivals. You’ll find complete details over on MSPmentor’s sister site, TheVARguy.com.
Cisco Makes Infrastructure as a Service Move
Posted January 25th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
After overhauling its managed services partner program in 2009, Cisco Systems is pushing into another new area: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The networking giant says it now has an IaaS offering for service providers that want to tackle computing-on-demand, network-on-demand and storage-on-demand. Here are some details.
Cisco’s Managed Services Program: Gaining Momentum?
Posted January 21st, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
It’s not a tidal wave yet, but a growing number of managed service providers are diving into Cisco Systems’ partner program. The latest example involves MegaPath Inc. earning Managed Services Master Certification from Cisco. Here’s the bigger story.
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Have Time to Write: Nov. 13
Posted November 13th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The Cisco Partner Velocity event in Paris has wrapped up, and I’ll be flying back to New York on Nov. 15. In the meantime, here are seven managed services blog entries our staff didn’t have time to write for the week ending Nov. 13.
Add-on Managed Service: WAN Optimization
Posted August 10th, 2009 by John Moore
Managed service providers (MSPs) looking to extend their reach may find a ripe niche in managed WAN optimization. Here are some observations.
Do Small Businesses Understand Cloud Computing?
Posted February 4th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Roughly two-thirds of small businesses have never heard of cloud hosting, according to a survey conducted by Rackspace. Frankly, I think the data is a bit misleading. And James Urquhart, market manager for Cisco’s Data Center 3.0 strategy, has a few opinions on the survey as well. Here are some perspectives.
Level Platforms, Managed Services Head for Home
Posted January 29th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I’m often skeptical when I hear about managed service providers targeting the SOHO (small office/home office) and consumer markets. But perhaps it’s time for me to change my tune. Recent developments and trends — involving such companies as LPI Level Platforms Inc., Cisco Systems Inc. and OnForce — suggest there are niche opportunities for MSPs servicing SOHOs and consumers. Here are some perspectives and developments.
TelePresence: The Next Hardware as a Service?
Posted December 30th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Watch the video above from Cisco Systems and Tata Communications, and you’ll see the “start” of the TelePresence revolution. But where is next-generation video conferencing heading next? Right into the living room, thanks to Cisco, OnForce, LifeSize Communications — and a range of managed service providers. Here’s how the market may unfold, and the roles MSPs and hardware as a service (HaaS) will play.
Cisco: TelePresence Sales Will Grow 400% This Year
Posted September 24th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Cisco Systems expects its TelePresence sales to grow 400 percent this year, according to Richard McLeod (pictured), Cisco’s director of unified communications, worldwide channels. That growth could introduce new opportunities to managed service providers.
Glowpoint: Managed Telepresence Services Heat Up
Posted September 12th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Back in May 2008, I noted that Glowpoint Inc. had launched managed telepresence services, which are like next-generation video conferencing services. It’s still very early in the telepresence game (check out our Managed Services Hype Cycle), so I didn’t expect telepresence to generate major revenues until 2010 or so.
Kaseya Employees Dial the iPhone 3G
Posted July 24th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Still skeptical about Apple’s iPhone for business users? I’m not. And neither is Kaseya, the managed services platform provider. After extensive testing, Kaseya’s IT department has added the iPhone to its list of supported smart phones.
Should MSPs Embrace iPhone 3G?
Posted June 10th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Now that Apple has finally announced the next-generation iPhone (known as iPhone 3G0, it’s time for managed service providers to formulate a support strategy for the Apple device.
Glowpoint Launches Managed Telepresence Network
Posted May 30th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Forgive me for gloating, but I told you so: Telepresence — the next-generation video conferencing technology — is quickly shifting toward a managed services model. The latest example involves Glowpoint Inc. launching its Telepresence Exchange Network. The move comes one month after Cisco Systems and AT&T announced a managed telepresence service for hotels.
Managed Services Market: Growing 18 Percent Annually?
Posted May 29th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
I’m frequently skeptical of market forecasts, but they’re still a valuable tool for “guestimating” how a market will evolve. In the case of managed services, Ovum (a consulting firm) predicts the worldwide industry will grow 18 percent annually to $66 billion by 2012.
Is Cisco Sending Subtle Warning to Managed Service Providers?
Posted May 7th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
First, let me clarify the headline: I’m not pressing a panic button. Cisco’s overall profits and revenues, announced May 6, were impressive. But if you’re a managed service provider, there’s a note of caution: Cisco’s sales to big U.S. service providers were weak this quarter. Here’s why managed service providers should care.
TelePresence as a Managed Service: Coming Into Focus?
Posted April 22nd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
I’ve been predicting for a few months that TelePresence — loosely defined as next-generation videoconferencing gear — will emerge as a big opportunity for managed service providers.
Cisco Vows Not to Become Service Provider
Posted April 15th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
At a time when some managed service providers are worried about Dell, Microsoft and Google moving onto their turf, Cisco Systems is taking a stand and offering assurances to MSPs.
Cisco Helps Managed Service Providers Partner With One Another
Posted April 9th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
The Cisco Partner Exchange, a new Web destination from Cisco Systems, is designed to help managed service providers and other solutions providers to find and work with one another.
Memo From Cisco: MSPs Need Mass Customization
Posted April 2nd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Can one size really fit all in the managed services market? Cisco Systems doesn’t seem to think so. Al Safarikas, Cisco’s senior director of managed services, predicts that the most successful managed service providers will offer mass customization to their customers.
Upscale Hotels Embrace Managed TelePresence Services
Posted March 18th, 2008 by The VAR Guy
TelePresence, that next-generation video conferencing technology, has yet to gain critical mass. But The VAR Guy, our resident blogger over at www.thevarguy.com, has been telling readers to expect TelePresence and the managed services market to converge on the hotel vertical.
Update: Cisco’s Managed Services Strategy
Posted March 14th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Keeping pace with Cisco Systems’ business strategies can be a full-time job. I’m seeking some clarity, and plan to get an update on March 25, during a Web seminar featuring Sameer Jayakar, senior manager, SMB Network Management for Cisco Systems.
Emerging Managed Services Opportunity: TelePresence Sales Doubling Annually
Posted February 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
TelePresence, the next-generation video conferencing technology, is slowly catching on with big customers. But it could be a few more years before TelePresence becomes a mainstream opportunity for managed service providers. First, the good news: Hewlett-Packard says its Halo video conferencing deployments have been doubling annually since the product’s launch in 2005, according to Reuters. And as new TelePresence systems go in, customers will need managed service providers to deliver related bandwidth optimization services.
IBM, Seagate Push Deeper Into Managed Services
Posted December 7th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
Byte and Switch, a web site that covers storage and networking, offers interesting perspective on recent acquisitions at IBM and Seagate. The IBM deal (acquiring Arsenal Digital) and Seagate’s move (buying MetaLINCS) both have strong managed services angles, according to the site. Surprised? You shouldn’t be.
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