Mike Cooch and I have finally reconnected. Cooch is well-known in MSP circles for starting a range of businesses — everything from Everon Technology Services to Kutenda. During 2008 and 2009, we typically spoke or traded email a few times per month. But changing businesses and growing families pulled me and Mike in different directions over the past two years or so. We finally reconnected tonight. After our conversation, I re-read a blog Mike wrote back in May 2011. It included four key questions MSPs should ask themselves every day. There’s pretty darn relevant.
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Revisited: The Four Key Questions MSPs Must Ask Everyday
Posted October 21st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: May 20
Posted May 20th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Loyal MSPmentor readers know the story: It’s the end of the week. Time for the MSPmentor staff to unplug just a bit. But before we do here are seven managed services blog entries our team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending May 20, 2011.
Kutenda Integrates MSP Marketing Platform With PSA Software
Posted December 22nd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Kutenda, which specializes in MSP marketing services, has integrated its platform with three well-known PSA (professional services automation) platforms: Autotask, ConnectWise and Tigerpaw Software. As a result, MSPs can manage workflow, contact management, lead generation and marketing from a PSA dashboard, Kutenda says.
ConnectWise IT Nation: 13 Key Takeaways for MSPs
Posted November 9th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
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.
Video: Behind PlumChoice’s Buyout of Everon Technology Services
Posted November 8th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
When PlumChoice announced it had acquired Everon Technology Services, a well-known MSP, I had plenty of questions. So I went looking for answers — and I spoke directly with Everon President Michael Cooch. In this FastChat video, Cooch describes why Everon sold to PlumChoice, potential long-term synergies, and exit strategy tips for MSPs that looking for potential buyers. Here’s the video.
ConnectWise IT Nation: Top 14 First-Day Highlights…
Posted November 4th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
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.
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.
Zenith Infotech Makes TelePresence Pitch
Posted April 19th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Telepresence — the next-generation video conferencing technology — is on a collision course with managed services and recurring revenue. The reason: Zenith Infotech, as expected, has launched Vu Telepresence offerings that apparently undercut traditional telepresence prices. Here are the details, which also include some hardware as a service (HaaS) opportunities.
Autotask Community Live: Keynote Highlights
Posted April 19th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask is seeking a CFO to drive growth, and preparing an online store to promote third-party Autotask-compatible applications. Those are just two of the highlights so far from the second annual Autotask Community Live conference in Miami. I spoke with CEO Bob Godgart (pictured) last night and also sat in on this morning’s keynote session. Here are key takeaways for managed services providers.
5 Sales and Financial Blog Posts MSPs Gotta Read
Posted March 25th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
So, you’re a managed services provider looking for some key sales, financial and business insights. By all means: Keep coming to MSPmentor. But I also need to tip my hat. In recent days, the team over at SMB IT Pros has delivered some compelling content and guidance for MSPs. Here’s a look at what they’ve been up to…
From HaaS to SaaS: Join Us Today and April 7
Posted March 24th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
A friendly (and timely) reminder. Our next MSPmentor Live webcast, focused on Hardware as a Service (HaaS), is scheduled for today, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. Two fast-growing MSPs — Everon Technology Services and Black’s Support Services — will describe how they promote, sell and profit from HaaS. Executives from Everon, Black’s and CharTec (a HaaS specialist and the event’s sponsor) will answer questions throughout the webcast. Separately, we kick off our Four Steps to SaaS Success webcast series on April 7. I look forward to your questions during both webcasts.
Level Platforms, CharTec: Partnering Up?
Posted January 28th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Call it an MSP industry mashup. CharTec, in addition to working more closely with ConnectWise, is also building a close relationship with Level Platforms, according to multiple sources familiar with the strategy. Do I have the exact details? Um, not really. But here’s some speculation.
Five Questions for Dell Managed Services
Posted January 28th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
For about two months or so, I’ve been pursuing an update on Dell ProManage-Managed Services. How is the initiative performing? And have any new MSPs pursued Dell’s various certifications? No doubt, portions of the MSP community have dismissed Dell’s strategy. And some skeptical voices are growing louder. I’ve got plenty of questions — and observations. Here they are.
ConnectWise Capital: Software Partners Weigh In
Posted January 26th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
I’ve spent the past 24 hours reaching out to software companies that partner with ConnectWise. My question: What’s your initial reaction to ConnectWise Capital, the company’s $20 million effort to incubate channel-centric technology companies. The responses ranged from skepticism to applause. Here’s a recap.
CharTec Dials Up VoIP for Managed Service Providers
Posted January 15th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
CharTec, the hardware as a service (HaaS) specialist, is promoting a new voice-over-IP solution — called a Voice Management System — for managed services providers. But that’s not all. I’m keeping my eyes on CharTec for a range of reasons.
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Write: Dec. 24
Posted December 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I must admit: I’m enjoying some silence right now. Email traffic is light. My phone isn’t ringing. It’s the perfect time to take a few minutes to tell you about the managed services blog entries we didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Dec. 24, 2009. Here we go…
Everon Scores With Hardware as a Service
Posted December 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Everon Technology Services, a managed service provider that lands regularly on the Inc. 5000 and MSPmentor 100 lists, is starting to target the hardware as a service (HaaS) market. Everon’s HaaS move is important for at least two reasons. First, it leverages a relationship with CharTec. Second, Everon is savvy when it comes to marketing and end-customer education. So Everon’s efforts and learnings could help accelerate the HaaS industry. Here’s a bit more background.
ConnectWise Partner Summit: Six Managed Services Videos
Posted November 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During the ConnectWise Partner Summit, MSPmentor sat down with a range of managed services experts. In the following MSPmentor FastChat videos, we covered such topics as hardware as a service (HaaS), MSP-to-MSP collaboration, sales and business development, online marketing for MSPs and email security. Here are six FastChat videos with a range of MSP industry experts…
Kutenda Offers Free Web Sites to MSPs
Posted October 27th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Kutenda, which specializes in online marketing services for managed service providers and their end customers, is launching a special offer for MSPs. According to a press release that should surface this week, the Broomfield, Colo.-based company says Kutenda now offers MSPs a free, ready-to-go web site built for lead generation. But there’s a bigger story here. And it involves simplified, automated online marketing for MSPs and their customers. Here are the details.
The Three Secrets to Long-term Managed Services Success
Posted April 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Let’s fast forward three years in the managed services market. By 2012, I expect most major IT vendors to offer SaaS (software as a service) options directly to customers. How will MSPs make a living as on-demand services increasingly go direct? And how will the best MSPs maximize their valuations during potential company sales, mergers and acquisitions? I put that question to Arlin Sorensen during last week’s HTG Summit in Dallas. Sorensen offered a concise answer.
Zenith Infotech CEO Invests In Start-up
Posted April 17th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Zenith Infotech CEO Akash Saraf has invested in Kutenda, a start-up that allows managed service providers to offer web marketing services to their customers. Mike Cooch, CEO of Everon Technology Services, an MSPmentor 100 company, is founder of Kutenda. Here’s a bit more about the launch.
Zenith Infotech, Everon’s CEO Partner On Managed Services
Posted April 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Something is brewing between Everon Technology Services CEO Mike Cooch and Zenith Infotech. Everon is an MSPmentor 100 and Inc. 5000 company, and Cooch has been working on a range of business development projects in the managed services market. But what are Cooch and Zenith Infotech doing together? Here’s some preliminary information.
Five Managed Services Blogs That Keep Going…
Posted October 7th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
A few months ago, MSPmentor praised several very promising blogs penned by managed service providers, software companies and industry pundits.
