It’s another subtle sign that Dell is listening to feedback. The hardware giant’s lengthy ProManaged Managed Services brand will now be known simply as Dell Managed Services. And yes, Dell’s MSP-centric partner program remains in place. Here are some more details.
Dell, The IT Pros Partner On Managed Services Win
Posted February 25th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
When Dell announced quarterly results last week, Channel Chief Greg Davis and other members of Dell’s channel team vowed to show some momentum with managed services partners. Fast forward one week, and Dell has scored a significant managed services customer win, and the deal involves The I.T. Pros, a well-known MSP. Here are the details.
Two MSP Industry Experts Make Career Moves
Posted December 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Adds, moves and changes: Several managed services industry veterans are making career moves ahead of the New Year. Some of the moves are public knowledge. Others are still to be formally announced. Confirmed today: Brian Sherman, the well-known veteran of Autotask and Business Solutions magazine, has launched Tech Success Communications. And Todd McKendrick, a veteran of Dell Managed Services and Do IT Smarter, is leaping to Nimsoft. Here’s a closer look at both moves.
Dell Managed Services Update: Part II
Posted November 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
In recent weeks, I’ve mentioned an emerging Dell-Symantec channel partnership multiple times across our blogs. Now, Dell is sharing some details about the relationship — which involves management software for servers and desktops. So, how does the Dell-Symantec solution (based on Altiris) compare with the existing Dell Remote Monitoring platform (DRM, formerly called Silverback)? Here are some thoughts.
Dell: Managed Services Partnerships Holding Steady
Posted November 20th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During a phone conversation with me this morning, Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis said the company has roughly 131 certified managed services partners. In my mind: That’s not exactly a huge number — especially for a company of Dell’s size. But I think Dell is putting a lot of channel emphasis on a slightly different MSP and VAR effort that involves Symantec. Here are the details.
Dell: Falling for Spiceworks’ Monitoring and Management Tool?
Posted October 19th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Spiceworks, a free networking monitoring and management tool, has caught Dell’s attention. Spiceworks, which claims to have 750,000 users, increasingly targets the managed services market. And Dell has taken notice. Here are some quick observations.
Dell: ProManage Managed Services In Europe?
Posted June 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
A report suggests that Dell is about to launch ProManage Managed Services in Europe. If true, the move would represent the latest in a growing list of managed services moves across Europe. Plus, I think Dell will extend the ProManage brand into new technology markets. Here’s the early buzz.
How to Engage A 40-Person Small Business Customer
Posted June 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I spent some time on the phone June 5, learning how Frontpoint (a managed service provider) supports Global Medical Staffing (a 40-person small business). If you’d like to learn about their business relationship — directly from Frontpoint CEO Dan Stanford and Global Medical Staffing COO Alan Lakomski — then join us for next MSPmentor Live webcast, scheduled for June 10 at 2:00pm eastern.
Join the Conversation June 10
Posted June 3rd, 2009 by MSPMentor
Our next MSPmentor Live webcast, scheduled for June 10, focuses on Hardware at Your Service. This is a rare opportunity to hear from a managed service provider and their end-customer during the same conversation. We’ll welcome your questions throughout the webcast. Here’s what we plan to cover:
Our Next Managed Services Webcast
Posted May 21st, 2009 by MSPMentor
Our next MSPmentor Live webcast, scheduled for June 10, focuses on Hardware at Your Service. We’ll welcome your managed services questions throughout the one-hour event. We’ll focus on the following mix of Technology and Business topics.
How to Fail as an MSP, Part III (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
Posted May 14th, 2009 by Peter Klanian
Why isn’t every VAR a successful managed service provider (MSP)? There are many paths to success, but aspiring MSPs also make many common mistakes that hinder their ability to become profitable. In part 1 and part 2 in our series, we covered eight common errors that MSPs make. Interested in becoming a successful provider of managed services? In this last part in the series, here are five more common blunders you need to avoid.
Dell ProManage-Managed Services: Challenge or Opportunity for MSPs?
Posted April 14th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Today is a delicate day for Dell’s PartnerDirect channel program. The technology giant is carefully rolling out a new effort called ProManage-Managed Services. On the upside, Dell has designed the program to include VARs that want to get started in managed services. But on the downside, some critics will consider this Dell’s attempt to sell all managed services directly — on a nationwide (US) basis — to small and midsize businesses. Before you listen to the alarmists, here are the facts, and my own perspectives.
How to Fail As An MSP, Part II (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
Posted April 2nd, 2009 by Peter Klanian
Why isn’t every VAR a successful managed service provider (MSP)? There are many paths to success, but aspiring MSPs also make many common mistakes that hinder their ability to become profitable. In our previous guest blog, we talked about four common errors MSPs make. Interested in becoming a successful provider of managed services? Here are four more common blunders you need to avoid.
Last Call: Ask Dell Your Managed Services Questions
Posted March 18th, 2009 by MSPMentor
Join Nine Lives Media Inc. for MSPmentor Live: Hot Seat edition on Wednesday, March 18 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. During the webcast, Dell will answer at least 30 attendee questions about the company’s managed services strategy. Feel free to pose questions about MSP certifications, training, sales, go-to-market strategies, and so on. Dell will also provide some clues about the company’s forthcoming managed print services initiative. Register now. Full disclosure: Dell is sponsoring the event but taking attendee questions throughout.
HP Insight Remote Support Targets Managed Service Providers
Posted March 6th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Hewlett-Packard is emerging from its famed R&D garage and joining the managed services party. The hardware giant has announced some new SMB initiatives for solutions providers. Buried within the release was news about HP’s Insight Remote Support tools for MSPs. HP also partnered with USA.NET to offer hosted Microsoft applications to VARs. Here’s MSPmentor’s perspective.
Gateway Launching European Managed Services Business for VARs
Posted February 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Gateway, the PC industry veteran owned by Acer, has re-launched as a channel-only brand in Europe and is planning a managed services initiative for its channel partners.
How to Fail As An MSP (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
Posted February 23rd, 2009 by Peter Klanian
Why isn’t every VAR a successful managed service provider (MSP)? There are many paths to success, but aspiring MSPs also make many common mistakes that hinder their ability to become profitable. Interested in becoming a successful provider of managed services? Then read, learn, and avoid these common blunders.
Dell and Microsoft: Partnering On Managed Services?
Posted January 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Short term, Microsoft and Dell are launching joint marketing efforts for corporate IT management solutions. Long term, it’s clear to me that Microsoft — at some point — will make a subtle tweak to its System Center Management solution and begin to target managed service providers.
Dell: Watch for Global MSP Push?
Posted January 7th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Greg Davis (pictured) is leaping from Dell’s North American channel chief slot into a new role as Dell’s global channel chief. As an advocate of Dell’s managed services strategy, it’s safe to expect Davis to focus on a global MSP-oriented push. For VARs and MSPs that remain sceptical of Dell, here are a few key points to keep in mind.
Managed Services Webcast: Join Us Today
Posted December 11th, 2008 by MSPMentor
Two top managed service providers have agreed to share their expertise with you during our final MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange Webcast of 2008, scheduled for today (December 11 at 2:00 p.m. eastern).
Learn From Two Top Managed Service Providers
Posted December 2nd, 2008 by MSPMentor
Two top managed service providers have agreed to share their expertise with you during our final MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange Webcast of 2008, scheduled for Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. Here are the details.
Dell Managed Services Wins Massive State of Georgia Deal
Posted November 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Dell Managed Services, working closely with IBM, has won a massive managed services deal with the State of Georgia. Check out www.theVARguy.com (MSPmentor’s sister site) for exclusive details, and some perspective on Dell’s position in the managed services market.
Network Depot Launches Hosted Kaseya Managed Services
Posted October 14th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Network Depot LLC, ranked No. 75 in last year’s MSPmentor 100 survey, is transforming itself into a Master MSP. The company has introduced a hosted Kaseya platform, known as Virtual Administrator, that small VARs can leverage.
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