Next week is packed with multiple partner conferences, including an Avnet gathering in Las Vegas, the Cloud Channel Summit in Silicon Valley, and IT Nation in Orlando. But before our editorial team hits the road, here are seven managed services blogs MSPmentor didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Nov. 4, 2011.
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Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Nov. 4
Posted November 4th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Oct. 21
Posted October 21st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor team had another packed week of travel, attending McAfee Focus and Tigerpaw User Conference. We’ve also been pursuing several rumors we’ve yet to confirm as factual (hint, hint: stay tuned). In the meantime here are seven managed services blogs the MSPmentor team didn’t have time to write for the week ending Oct. 21, 2011.
MSPWorld: 6 Potential Trends for Managed Services Providers
Posted September 12th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
MSPWorld, part of IT Expo West, runs Sept. 13-15 in Austin, Texas, this week. So what exactly should managed services providers expect to see and hear at the conference? Here are six potential clues from MSPmentor.
MSPmentor 250: Steve Bender’s Cross-Vertical Philosophy
Posted August 23rd, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
Fifteen years ago Steve Bender and two partners turned a Mac-centric support company into a business community service provider. The result of the switch was inhouseIT — and later Spam Soap — two companies that have helped inhouseIT President Steve Bender catapult into the MSPmentor 250, our annual look at the top executives, entrepreneurs and experts in managed services.
Do IT Smarter Exits Master MSP Business
Posted August 5th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Do IT Smarter, owned by ClearPointe, is exiting the Master MSP (managed services provider) business, according to multiple sources. Do IT Smarter recently sent an email to its MSP partners, informing the companies that they had 30 days to move off of Do IT Smarter’s systems. Here’s the update — along with a bigger question: What’s the future of the Master MSP business model?
MSPmentor 250: Eight Former Members — Where Are They Now?
Posted July 28th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The times they are a changing. Our fourth-annual MSPmentor 250 list is set to debut the week of August 1. The MSPmentor 250 will help you to rapidly build a Rolodex containing managed services experts, entrepreneurs and executive names. But there are big changes to this year’s MSPmentor 250. In fact, here are eight well-known industry names who didn’t make this year’s edition…
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write
Posted July 11th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
After a one-week vacation, I’m plugging back into MSPmentor and our sister sites. My email inbox is flooded with news tips, rumors and perspectives about the managed services market (thanks to those who pinged me). Based on those tips and some other observations, here are seven managed services blogs I didn’t write during my vacation — covering the week ending July 8, 2011.
Is It Possible to Build a Global Master MSP?
Posted June 20th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
On paper, Master MSPs sound like ideal channel partners. Generally speaking, Master MSPs offer VARs and aspiring MSPs a range of recurring revenue services and IT solutions — everything from NOC (network operations centers) to turnkey remote monitoring platforms. But the Master MSP market has faced its share of challenges over the years. Now comes word that MSP1 of India is seeking to build a global Master MSP business. Can the strategy succeed?
Managed Services Franchises: The Launch Pad Seeks SMB Partners
Posted April 28th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
The Launch Pad is seeking VARs and MSPs to become managed services franchises. The company, based in Tampa, Fla., is leveraging ConnectWise, QuoteWerks, Zenith Infotech and other managed services platforms to help franchise MSPs promote “business in a box” solutions to SMB customers. We’re intrigued but we’re also curious about the larger question: Are managed services franchises taking off in North America? Here’s some perspective.
Cloud Aggregators vs. Master MSPs: What’s the Difference?
Posted April 22nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Master MSPs — which offer VARs and peer MSPs a range of services — are evolving in multiple directions. Some Master MSPs continue to successfully onboard VARs and assist the MSP transformation process. Others have exited the market because it’s challenging to recruit and retain fledgling MSPs as paying customers. And generally speaking, I think some Master MSPs are shifting their focus to a cloud aggregator role. So what’s the difference between a cloud aggregator and a master MSP? Here are some educated guesses.
MSP Mergers and Acquisitions: Where Do Consultants Fit In?
Posted April 7th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
As the merger and acquisition trend continues, some managed services providers (MSPs) are leveraging M&A consultants to assist — and potentially accelerate — the process. The latest example involves Cogent Growth Partners, a buy-side M&A advisory firm, assisting Jamison West Consulting Services Inc.’s buyout of Titanium Ant Inc. Another example involved Weaver and Associates Ltd. assisting Do IT Smarter’s sale in 2010. Is this the start of a larger trend?
Master MSPs: New Missions, Evolving Ambitions?
Posted February 28th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Master MSPs — which offer education and multiple hosted services to VARs and aspiring managed services providers — seem to be evolving in multiple directions. Some are becoming cloud aggregators. Others are expanding their SMB channel training services. But one thing is clear: No two Master MSPs seem to have the same business plan these days. Here’s why.
Help Desk: On Second Thought, Is 24×7 Support Overkill?
Posted February 9th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
I rather enjoy it when a blog entry triggers multiple follow-up discussions. Back on Feb. 2, I asked if 24×7 support was the new norm for help desk support. By February 7, multiple help desk and NOC (network operations center) providers were sharing their opinions on 24×7 support. Now, Do IT Smarter CEO Lane Smith is back with three rather interesting points…
24×7 Help Desk and NOC Support: Deeper Perspectives for MSPs
Posted February 7th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Last week I mentioned a few software companies that were shifting to 24×5 and 24×7 support for their managed services partners. To further the discussion I reached out to NOC (network operations center) and help desk providers to see if 24×7 support is now a requirement for MSPs and their end-customers.
24 Hour Support: The New NOC and Help Desk Norm?
Posted February 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
For the second time in recent weeks, I’ve heard from a software provider that’s marching toward 24-hour support for VARs and managed services providers. It made me wonder: Is around-the-clock support the new norm for software partners and MSPs that offer help desk services and NOCs (network operations centers)? Here are some insights.
Ask a Mentor: How Can I Compare Managed Services Software?
Posted February 1st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Each Tuesday, MSPmentor’s Ask a Mentor service publishes a reader question and invites you to weigh in with recommendations. This week’s question comes from a reader in Europe who is seeking information about managed services software — options and recommendations. Here’s the question and our reply…
Synnex Quietly Launches Big Managed Services Efforts
Posted January 25th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Multiple sources confirm that Synnex, the massive distributor, has launched a multi-vendor managed services effort that includes Axcient, Intronis, Level Platforms and Reflexion Networks — though additional software partners could be coming. Here’s the update.
Should MSPs Outsource Their Help Desks?
Posted December 8th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
As the managed services market grew up, a healthy number of MSPs decided to outsource their help desks to third-party partners. But now, ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini is calling on MSPs — even small MSPs — to build their own help desks. By having a help desk in-house, small MSPs can build person-to-person relationships with end-customers, while more closely monitoring trends and needs within their SMB customer bases, Bellini asserts. So, what’s the upshot for MSPs?
Managed Services M&A: Everon Technology Services Acquired
Posted November 3rd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Another day, another managed services acquisition. This one involves PlumChoice acquiring Everon Technology Services, a well-known MSP that has landed multiple times on the MSPmentor 100 list. Here are some quick details about PlumChoice’s buyout of Everon. Plus a reality check on MSP M&A activity, which seems to be accelerating.
Managed Services M&A: Heartland Technology Makes Acquisition
Posted October 19th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
In a small but strategic regional deal, Heartland Technology Solutions has acquired CNS Inc. The deal creates an 85-person managed services provider (MSP) serving the Midwest region. This is the latest example of managed services M&A activity in recent weeks. Here are some quick details.
M&A: Prominent Master Managed Services Provider Acquired
Posted October 4th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
For the third time in roughly a year, ClearPointe has made a managed services-related acquisition. The latest deal involves Do IT Smarter, a well-known Master MSP in San Diego. Will Do IT Smarter President Lane Smith and his peers stick around under ClearPointe ownership? And what will become of the Do IT Smarter brand? Here are some clear answers, according to prepared statements from Do IT Smarter and ClearPointe.
Help Desk Services: LVHD & Virtual Administrator Partner Up
Posted September 28th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Virtual Administrator, a well-known Master MSP, has selected Live Virtual Help Desk (LVHD, pictured) to offer 24×7 help desk services to its community of managed services providers. The move highlights Virtual Administrator’s continued partner program expansion, and LVHD’s growing ecosystem of relationships across the MSP market. Here’s a bit more on the deal, plus some more background on help desk services for MSPs.
MSPs Facing Sales Talent Shortage?
Posted September 1st, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
For the second time in a week, a key voice from the managed services industry said his biggest challenge involves finding and recruiting talent, particularly sales talent. The big question: Is there a shortage of sales talent within the MSP ecosystem? Or are we looking in the wrong places for the talent?
