We will reveal the fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 list during our next Channel Expert Hour webcast on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Here are four reasons to register now and join us for the unveiling and conversation.
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Join Us: Top 100 Managed Services Providers List Revealed
Posted February 9th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask Proclaims UK Momentum Following VARStreet Exit
Posted February 8th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
After quietly selling off its VARStreet business in December 2011, Autotask is putting the public spotlight back on its international push. The latest chatter: Autotask says 500 IT channel partner customers in the United Kingdom now use the company’s SaaS and cloud platform. Autotask’s timing and wording is worth noting. Here’s why.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Feb. 3
Posted February 3rd, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
The Super Bowl kicks off in 52 hours. But I’m a bit distracted, plugging away on the fifth-annual MSPmentor 100 report — which debuts Feb. 15. In the meantime, here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news stories the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for February 3, 2012.
Intronis Cloud Backup Integrates with ConnectWise, Adds iPhone, Android Apps
Posted February 1st, 2012 by Nicholas Mukhar
Intronis has released a new version of its cloud-based backup platform for managed services providers (MSPs). The Intronis upgrade, dubbed Winter Release ’12, includes integration with ConnectWise. Plus, managed services providers can now use iPhone and Android apps to manage their Intronis cloud-based backup processes, according to Intronis VP of Marketing and Customer Success Carol Ferrari.
Level Platforms: Help Desk Meets Managed Services Software
Posted January 23rd, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
The lines between managed services software, NOC (network operations center) services and help desk services continue to blur. The latest example involves Level Platforms introducing NOC and Help Desk services tied to its Managed Workplace platform for MSPs in the small business IT services market. This is part of a growing trend in the MSP market.
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.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Jan. 6
Posted January 6th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
We’re six days into the New Year. I’m caught in a technology paradox — still feeling optimistic but also feeling a little burned out. Perhaps I’m just tired of chasing this week’s merger and acquisition news in the managed services market. Either way, here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news stories MSPmentor’s team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending January 6, 2012.
Another Way for MSPs to Build Customer Reports: BrightGauge
Posted January 5th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
BrightGauge believes it has built an easier way for managed services providers (MSPs) to create and deliver performance reports to customers. BrightGauge’s cloud-based application, championed by Eric and Brian Dosal (pictured), involves a five-step process to generate customer reports. Here’s an overview.
What Windows Intune Can Learn From Cisco OnPlus Service
Posted January 4th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
Big vendors like Cisco Systems (CSCO) and Microsoft (MSFT) are finally taking a closer look at the managed services market. The Cisco OnPlus Service and Microsoft Windows Intune cloud services both are designed to help MSPs more effectively manage customer systems. But the Cisco and Microsoft strategies are strikingly different. Fact is, Microsoft could learn a lot from Cisco Systems in the managed services market. Here’s why.
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 Q2 2011
Posted December 28th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
As the New Year approaches, we’re looking back at the most read managed services stories of 2011. Yesterday, we recapped the 10 most read MSP news stories from Q1, 2011. Now, let’s look at the most read MSP stories from Q2, 2011 and their implications for managed services providers.
10 Most Read Managed Services Stories Q1 2011
Posted December 27th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Before MSPmentor marches forward with you into 2012, we’re spending this week looking back at the most read managed services stories of 2011. Let’s get started: Here’s a look at the most read MSP stories from Q1, 2011 and their implications for managed services providers.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Dec. 23
Posted December 26th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
I’m a little late with this weekly managed services blog because of family commitments — a good excuse this time of year. Happy Holidays to all of our readers. Now, here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news tips that the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Dec. 23, 2011.
Microsoft Dynamics and MSPs: A Real or Imagined Business Combo?
Posted December 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
On the one hand, sales of Microsoft Dynamics — CRM, ERP and accounting applications — continue to rise swiftly. On the other hand, more and more MSPs continue to adopt PSA (professional services automation) software. So could Microsoft Dynamics and PSA software be on a collision course within the managed services provider community? Perhaps yes.
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.
Managed Print Services: Nearing A Tipping Point?
Posted November 30th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
For the third time in recent weeks, MSP software providers are pushing the managed print services (MPS) market forward. The latest example comes from Level Platforms, which offers managed print and cloud management capabilities in the new Managed Workplace 2011 R3 release. Somewhat similarly, LabTech Software and N-able Technologies have also been talking up managed print services in recent weeks. After several false starts, MSPmentor believes the managed print services market is finally poised for considerable channel growth. Here’s why.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Nov. 25
Posted November 27th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor team spent the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S. recharging and relaxing with friends and family. Now we’re plugging back in and catching up on managed services chatter. Here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news tips the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Nov. 25, 2011.
Thrive Networks: Managed Services Growth Continues
Posted November 17th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Thrive Networks, the managed services business owned by Staples, continues to see double-digit growth in the services market. Some of that growth can be traced back to Thrive Networks’ relationships with Axcient and SonicWall, which power the MSP’s backup and disaster recovery (BDR) and managed firewall services.
The ConnectWise – HTG Combination Grows More Influential
Posted November 11th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
This week’s ConnectWise IT Nation conference in Orlando, Fla., attracted roughly 1,600 attendees. Multiple first-time attendees looked around and openly asked me: “How the heck did this conference and this community grow so large and so influential?” I’ve got a simple answer.
ConnectWise: Building a Microsoft Office for VARs and MSPs?
Posted November 11th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
At the ConnectWise IT Nation conference today, CEO Arnie Bellini demonstrated deeper integration between ConnectWise, LabTech Software and Quosal. The move reinforce’s Bellini’s vision to build a Microsoft Office-like suite for the IT Channel. But Bellini also evangelized continued integration with third-party RMM and quoting software platforms. Here’s a look at the keynote so far.
ConnectWise IT Nation: Eight Trends From Day 1
Posted November 10th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Roughly 1,600 resellers, VARs, MSPs and channel influencers are on hand for the ConnectWise IT Nation conference in Orlando. The conference has pushed far beyond traditional managed services discussions. In fact, here are eight discussions and trends that surfaced during the initial Exhibit Hall and Keynote gatherings at ConnectWise IT Nation.
Daniel Burrus Tells MSPs: Focus On Trust, Hard Trends To Grow Revenues
Posted November 10th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Instead of guessing what the future holds, MSPs should focus on so-called hard trends and customer trust to maintain or accelerate growth in the future, according to Daniel Burrus, author of Flash Foresight. During a keynote at ConnectWise IT Nation this morning, Burrus (pictured) offered several examples of hard trends and customer trust that can carry your business forward.
