MSPmentor

Publicly, ConnectWise and Kaseya continue to cooperate in the managed services market. But privately, a war between LabTech Software (funded by ConnectWise Capital) and Kaseya has started to intensify, according to MSPs who are witnessing the action first-hand. To understand the high-stakes managed services showdown, turn your attention to a recent HTG CEO Forum meeting in Tampa, Fla. Here’s the scoop.

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As the managed services industry prepares for 2011, some software companies are striving to become more transparent — offering more frequent disclosures about product roadmaps and cloud system status updates. The most recent example involves Kaseya, which has published a near-term product schedule. What prompted the disclosure? Here are some thoughts.

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Call it the latest shot in the emerging MSP software wars. Autotask — in an apparent bid to counter ConnectWise, LabTech Software and maybe even Kaseya — has reached out to several RMM (remote monitoring and management) software companies with a free Autotask Go offer. Level Platforms and PacketTrap embraced the offer, but not all RMM players are joining the Autotask Go freemium effort. Here’s the update … plus the potential implications for VARs and MSPs.

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Kaseya, which specializes in IT systems management software, has acquired ObjAcct Inc., a developer of XML-based accounting software. The deal, expected to be announced November 4, could arm MSPs and corporate IT managers with an emerging type of financial management software. Here’s the scoop.

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Maybe it’s time for me to eat some crow (again). About a week ago, readers on the MSPmentor LinkedIn group asked me if the ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) standard had gone mainstream in the managed services market. I downplayed ITIL a bit in my remarks. Fast forward a few days, and ConnectWise is describing several enhancements to its PSA (professional services automation) platform — including beta cross-platform browser support and better ITIL support. Here are the updates.

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Yes, Kaseya’s phone support lines have experienced heavy call volumes since the Kaseya 2 managed services platform launched in February 2010. But many of those calls are educational in nature, and more than 1,680 managed service providers and customers have made the move to Kaseya 2, asserts CEO Gerald Blackie.

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The writing has been on the wall since early 2009. The traditional managed services software landscape — pioneered by several PSA (professional services automation) and RMM (remote monitoring and management) companies — is changing. Imminent moves by ConnectWise and Kaseya, in particular, offer clues about where we’re heading next.

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I’m starting to hear a familiar trend from some managed services platform providers: They’re saying no thanks to potential investors. The latest example involves N-able CEO Gavin Garbutt, who says he’s receiving roughly three calls a week from potential investors, hedge fund experts and other financial gurus. But so far N-able hasn’t grabbed the cash. Why not take the money and run? Here are some answers.

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The Kaseya User Conference kicks off in Las Vegas later today (Sunday, June 1). MSPmentor is on the scene. I’m moderating an informal, poolside Q&A with Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie this evening, and we’ll be providing ongoing coverage of the event through its conclusion on Tuesday, June 3. Check in to read our ongoing coverage as well as a recap of the Top 30 Highlights from the event. Update: Here are the Top 30 Highlights.

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