The rumors and speculation were all correct. VMware today acquired an open source email specialist — Zimbra — from Yahoo. If you’re a managed service provider that’s still sorting out your virtualization and SaaS email strategies then VMware’s move is worth following. Here’s why.
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VMware-Zimbra: What Becomes of 450 SaaS Partners?
Posted January 12th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
SaaS: Microsoft Bolsters BPOS Partner Sales Support
Posted January 11th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft’s BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite) team is bolstering its SaaS training options for channel partners. The effort includes learning tools, delivery support and technical support options for VARs and managed services providers. Here’s a look.
Ingram, Intermedia Promote Hosted Exchange 2010 to MSPs
Posted December 4th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Intermedia and Ingram Micro Seismic are marching forward with their plans to offer Hosted Exchange 2010 to managed service providers. The move comes as many VARs and MSPs continue to sort out their SaaS (software as a service) strategies for Microsoft applications.
Microsoft Wins Huge European Cloud Deal
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It’s one small step for Microsoft’s cloud software strategy, and one giant leap for UK’s Royal Mail Group. Specifically, Royal Mail Group’s 30,000 employees will leverage Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). Computer Sciences Corp., a massive integrator, won the SaaS and cloud deal for Microsoft. Here are some details and early perspectives for smaller managed service providers (MSPs) and integrators.
Microsoft’s SaaS Strategy In 450 Words or Less
Posted July 16th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 (WPC09), multiple briefings and interviews gave me a clearer — though certainly not perfect — view of the software giant’s SaaS (software as a service) and cloud strategies. Plus, I began to see the implications for VARs and managed service providers. Here are some thoughts.
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference: 4 Names to Know
Posted July 10th, 2009 by The VAR Guy
As The VAR Guy heads to this year’s Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans, he looks forward to quizzing four key Microsoft executives about the company’s cloud, software as a service (SaaS), small business and netbook/OEM strategies. Take a look, and submit your own questions to The VAR Guy (if you have them) for Microsoft.
Microsoft Still Attracts Managed Services Crowd
Posted July 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Windows no longer sits at the center of the IT universe. But Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC09) still knows how to attract a big crowd — including most of the major managed service software providers and MSPs themselves. Here are five MSP-centric topics MSPmentor will track at the event.
Microsoft SaaS: Host It Or Resell It?
Posted July 6th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It could be a sign of things to come. Heading into the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 (WPC09), Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) has agreed to resell Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). CSC’s move represents an inflection point for managed service providers, many of which are trying to decide whether to host Exchange and SharePoint on their own — or simply resell Microsoft’s own hosted services.
Beware the Hosting Hype Cycle
Posted May 21st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Frequent MSPmentor readers know I talk and blog about the Managed Services Hype Cycle (based on Gartner’s own Technology Hype Cycle chart). All technologies go through a maturity curve (a cycle of sorts) that involves a bit of pain (or lots of pain) for customers and MSPs. Now, some folks are starting to talk about a Hosting Hype Cycle. And it’s an important discussion.
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