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.
add a comment
How to Fail as an MSP, Part III (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
Posted May 14th, 2009 by Peter Klanian
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 Joe Panettieri
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 Joe Panettieri
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 Joe Panettieri
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.
Video: Dell Managed Services
Posted September 30th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
As part of its managed services push into New York, Dell posted the following information video on YouTube. It features Ted Colpo, director of SMB services marketing at Dell.
MSPs Discuss Economy At ConnectWise Partner Summit
Posted September 17th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
At the ConnectWise Partner Summit in Orlando, Fla., managed service providers are buzzing about a range of topics. Amid growing US economic concerns, many managed service providers here are striving to focus on marketing, sales and emerging partnerships. However, there’s no doubt that the economy is starting to impact MSPs. Here’s why.
Dell Certifies 150 MSP Partners And Pushes Into New York Metro Region
Posted September 15th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Dell continues to maintain a direct and indirect balancing act in the managed services market, this time as the company marches into the New York Metro area. Here are updates on the Dell’s overall MSP strategy, including direct monthly pricing info and the company’s latest certification momentum.
Dell Promotes MessageOne As Managed Service
Posted September 2nd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
And so it begins: Dell has started promoting MessageOne as a cost-effective managed service for corporate email. But it’s unclear how, when or if managed service providers (MSPs) will be able to join Dell’s MessageOne party.
Managed Services: Are PC Companies Clueless?
Posted August 13th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Based on a series of phone calls and emails in recent weeks, I’ve reached the following conclusion: Most PC companies don’t understand the managed services market, nor do they understand emerging demand for hardware as a service (HaaS). Here’s why.
CompTIA Breakaway: Here Comes Dell
Posted July 31st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Anybody else notice that Dell is a silver sponsor for the big CompTIA Breakaway show in Orlando (August 4-7)? CompTIA Breakaway typically attracts more than 1,000 attendees, with a heavy emphasis on VARs and managed service providers.
Take a look at our 