MSPmentor

Roughly 1,500 VARs and managed services providers are expected to attend the IT Nation Conference (Nov. 9-11, Orlando, Fla.), hosted by ConnectWise. But if you take a close look at the crowd this year you’ll notice something new: Non-ConnectWise customers also are invited to attend the event. Here’s the background.

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CEO Gary Pica and the TruMethods team never seem to stand still. Indeed, TruMethods, which focuses on managed services sales training, is preparing to host a Winner’s Circle event later this month in February. Here’s the update.

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I spent most of January 20 at ConnectWise’s headquarters in Tampa, Fla. Frequent MSPmentor readers know the basics — how CEO Arnie Bellini and President David Bellini pushed beyond local IT services to build a PSA (professional services automation) software company. And the more recent IT Nation channel community efforts. But what’s going on behind the curtains down at ConnectWise? Here are six clues that may indicate where the company is heading next…

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When the ConnectWise IT Nation conference wrapped up on November 7 with a golf tournament, I began to think about key themes, trends and takeaways for managed services providers (MSPs) that missed the event. So what did you miss, and where is ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini taking “IT Nation” (his term for SMB solutions providers) next? Here are 13 key wrap-up observations from MSPmentor.

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Ingram Micro continues to accelerate its cloud strategy, today launching Ingram Micro Cloud and a related marketplace for VARs and MSPs that are seeking a range of SaaS and cloud solutions. In an MSPmentor FastChat Video, Ingram Micro VP Renee Bergeron says the distributor’s cloud strategy is a natural extension of Ingram’s services strategy for partners. Here’s the update plus some perspective from MSPmentor.

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At the ConnectWise IT Nation conference in Orlando, CEO Arnie Bellini outlined a vision to help MSPs, VARs and IT service providers succeed as cloud computing hype grows. Bellini’s key points focused on defending your business from major SaaS and cloud companies that plan to sell direct to SMBs. Plus, Bellini described how solutions providers can build closer SMB customer relationships that generate new revenue opportunities. Here are 15 highlights from the keynote — including key thoughts on coopetition (cooperating and competing) in the MSP software market.

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The first day of ConnectWise IT Nation wrapped up a few minutes ago. Roughly 1,100 managed services providers are here in Orlando, Fla., for the conference (formerly called ConnectWise Partner Summit). So what’s the buzz from Day One and what can attendees expect from Day Two (Nov. 5)? Here are 14 key observations and predictions.

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Infrastructure-as-a-service provider 6fusion now integrates with ConnectWise PSA, potentially helping service providers centralize all customer information. The move is the first of many expected to be announced at this week’s ConnectWise IT Nation conference in Orlando, Fla. Here are the details.

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Scores of managed services providers are attending this week’s HTG All Meeting in Orlando, Fla. HTG President Scott Scrogin and Founder Arlin Sorensen earlier today provided some key business, financial and personal updates to MSPs at the conference. Here are five key highlights from this morning’s keynote.

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LabTech Software and CharTec — two companies that received ConnectWise Capital investments earlier this year — are partnering up to introduce a new appliance for managed services providers (MSPs). The LabTech-CharTec development debuts in time for ConnectWise, CharTec and LabTech conferences later this week in Orlando. Here are some preliminary details.

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Roughly 1,100 MSPs and VARs will gather later this week at ConnectWise IT Nation (formerly ConnectWise Partner Summit). The conference (Nov. 4-6, Orlando) also serves as a magnet for several related events hosted by CharTec, HTG Peer Groups, LabTech Software, Level Platforms and TruMethods. No doubt, attendees will hear a lot of themes related to cloud computing, the last mile of IT and managing the modern office for SMBs. Here are 35 key questions MSPmentor plans to raise during the conference.

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Another micro meeting for MSPs it set to take place next month at the ConnectWise IT Nation conference in Orlando, Fla. Specifically, TruMethods — the consulting firm that assists MSPs with sales development — plans to host a members-only event for roughly 40 MSPs on November 4. Here are the details, plus a broader look at how ConnectWise IT Nation is shaping up.

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Level Platforms plans to use the ConnectWise IT Nation conference (formerly ConnectWise Partner Summit) as a magnet to rally more than 100 managed services providers. Here’s some background on Level Platforms’ plan, which includes the imminent launch of Managed Workplace 2011.

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They are the Three Tenors of the PSA (professional service automation) software market. ConnectWise, Autotask… and The Other Guy. But starting in October, The Other Guy — Tigerpaw Software — will step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Indeed, the first Tigerpaw User Conference runs Oct. 6-8 in Dallas, Texas. The gathering is expected to attract a couple hundred attendees. Perhaps for the first time, Tigerpaw’s user base will come into vivid focus for the IT channel media. And Tigerpaw President James Foxall will have his chance to describe his vision on his stage in front of his crowd. Here’s a preview.

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CharTec and Labtech Software, both backed by ConnectWise Capital, each will hold conferences in Orlando on November 4. The conferences coincide with the ConnectWise IT Nation conference (Nov. 4-6) as well as the HTG 2010 Summit and Q4 Meetings. Here’s a look at each conference, potential synergies for attendees, and coopetition in the managed services software market.

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In an attempt to further raise its visibility and drive collaboration between 28,000 users, Tigerpaw Software says it will launch an interactive Tigerpaw Community at the end of August 2010. It’s a smart move, but I’ll be curious to see how Tigerpaw’s efforts stack up against PSA rivals like ConnectWise (perhaps the most aggressive and successful community organizer) and Autotask (which has built a successful face-to-face conference to echo its online community). Here’s a closer look at the various vendor-led community strategies serving VARs, MSPs and IT service providers.

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Autotask is preparing to launch a so-called community marketplace. If the service works as promised, it could allow VARs and MSPs to more easily find a range of applications and integration code to further automate their businesses. Autotask CEO Bob Godgart and Executive Director of Community and Business Development Mark Crall shared some preliminary details during the CompTIA Breakaway conference. Here’s a closer look at Autotask’s marketplace strategy.

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LabTech Software, the remote monitoring and management (RMM) software specialist, is working more closely with Scorpion Software. The move is noteworthy for two reasons: Scorpion’s software allows MSPs to more effectively protect small business networks. Plus, Scorpion also has a close working relationship with Kaseya. Not by coincidence, competition between LabTech and Kaseya seems to have escalated in recent months. Here’s some more background.

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LabTech Software is launching an Automation Nation conference for managed services providers and IT service companies. It’s an intriguing move, especially when you take a closer look at the event’s date and location. Here are the details.

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I’m not sure how, when or why it happened. But this weekly “Seven things…” blog entry has developed a cult following of sorts. My inbox is filled each Friday morning with rumors, gossip and, um… music picks (thanks Gerard…) from readers. And each Friday afternoon, we publish seven pieces of reader chatter that MSPmentor’s blog team otherwise didn’t have a chance to cover. Here’s the rundown for the week ending June 25, 2010.

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Whether you call it a tipping point or a bandwagon, one thing is clear: Big software companies are adjusting their licensing models to reflect SMB managed services providers (MSPs) and recurring revenue business models. The latest example involves Symantec launching an ExSP Licensing Program for VARs, MSPs and service providers. But how does Symantec’s move compare to rival storage and security options? Here are thoughts from Symantec Channel Chief Randy Cochran (pictured) plus MSPmentor’s perspectives.

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Why throw one big party when you can host multiple, regional gatherings? That’s the thought process at Level Platforms, the MSP software provider that is planning another road show series rather than hosting a big, annual partner bash. Here’s a quick update from Level Platforms CEO Peter Sandiford.

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One of the reasons I left “corporate life” was to move faster and spend less time in meetings, where conversations go around and around and sometimes never reach a natural conclusion. Still, meetings are mandatory for success — especially as managed services providers strive to get their staff members working toward company and departmental goals. Some simple tips — from books like Mastering the Rockefeller Habits — can help your team to measure its progress on a daily and weekly basis. Here’s how.

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