Call me surprised: Managed print services (MPS) seems to be an obvious recurring revenue opportunity for VARs and MSPs. But so far, fewer than 30 percent of top MSPs offer managed print services to their end-customers, according to our MSPmentor 100 report (2010 edition). Will more MSPs embrace the managed print opportunity? Or is there something inherently wrong with the MPS market? We could get some answers during the CompTIA Breakaway conference (San Antonio, Aug. 9-12). Here’s why.
6 comments
CompTIA Breakaway: Managed Print Services Reality Check?
Posted August 3rd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
CharTec Launches Enterprise HaaS BDR Appliance for MSPs
Posted July 19th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
CharTec specializes in hardware-as-a-service — so it’s no surprise that when they decided to build their own cloud-enabled enterprise-grade backup and disaster recovery (BDR) appliance, they decided to offer it under a monthly subscription model with no money down. CharTec says it’s designed to make BDR more appealing to the midmarket, where this kind of solution can be expensive and complex to deploy. Here’s the skinny.
Intel Hybrid Cloud: Ready for MSPs?
Posted July 8th, 2010 by Dave Courbanou
When the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference kicks off July 11, Intel will spend considerable time speaking about a Hybrid Cloud Pilot Program. If it works as advertised, the Intel Hybrid Cloud will allow MSPs to provide on-premises servers to end-customers on a pay-as-you-go basis. In some ways, the Intel effort reminds us of Hardware as a Service (HaaS) options promoted by companies like CharTec. Here’s a look at the Intel Hybrid Cloud strategy.
Outsource IT in the Mid-Market: The Ultimate Managed Service
Posted June 4th, 2010 by David Bellini
Where’s the money to be found by IT solution providers in this Great Recession? I’ll tell you what I’m seeing, it’s a takeover. A takeover of midsize companies’ IT departments by savvy solution providers. Now this isn’t a hostile takeover by any means. And this isn’t a new strategy either. Here are the details.
Office 2010 Launches, But Is SharePoint 2010 The Bigger Story?
Posted May 12th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Dozens of media folks are converging on Manhattan today for Microsoft’s Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 launches. But I have to concede: I’ve got writers block as I try to blog about the Office 2010 launch. No doubt, millions of customers continue to see value in Office. But I wonder: Are MSPs focusing at all on the Office 2010 launch? Or have they turned their attention to Microsoft’s other big launch: SharePoint 2010?
Memo to HP: Today’s the Day to Engage MSPs
Posted April 26th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
As the HP Americas Partner Conference kicks off in Las Vegas, I believe Hewlett-Packard is finally going to get serious about managed services providers in the SMB market. When HP Channel Chief Stephen DiFranco steps to the stage later today, he’ll likely offer a broad, sweeping update on HP’s channel partner program. But somewhere within the message, DiFranco has to address MSPs. Here’s why.
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.
CharTec Seeks HaaS Experts for Company Expansion
Posted April 14th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Apparently, the hardware as a service (HaaS) market continues to treat CharTec well. A case in point: CharTec is seeking to hire 20 to 30 people to help promote HaaS to more VARs and MSPs. Here are some details.
Tigerpaw Software Names James Foxall President
Posted April 7th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
During recent managed services conferences, James Foxall (pictured) has been the public face and voice of Tigerpaw Software Inc. — the PSA (professional services automation) software provider. Now, Foxall has been promoted from VP into Tigerpaw’s president slot. Here are some details.
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Write: April 2
Posted April 2nd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Another week of planes, trains and automobiles is over. We covered lots of ground. But as always, there were managed services stories that MSPmentor didn’t nail down. Here are seven managed services blog entries that MSPmentor didn’t have time to write for the week ending April 2, 2010.
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.
MSP on Demand’s New Majority Owner: What’s the Story?
Posted March 23rd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
XnE Inc. has acquired a “majority” position in MSP on Demand, a hardware as a service (HaaS) specialist that had roughly (US)$1 million in revenues and $110,000 in net income for 2009. This is the second HaaS-related investment that has surfaced in recent weeks. Interesting stuff. But XnE Inc.’s background — and delayed SEC filings — raises some question marks. Here’s why.
Reminder: Hardware as a Service (HaaS) Webcast
Posted March 19th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
A friendly (and timely) reminder. Our next MSPmentor Live webcast, focused on Hardware as a Service (HaaS) and Technology as a Service (TaaS), is scheduled for this Wednesday, 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 both MSPs and CharTec (a HaaS specialist and the event’s sponsor) will answer questions throughout the webcast. We look forward to your participation and questions.
Hardware as a Service: Hot or Hype?
Posted February 25th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Earlier this week in Miami, I got locked in a conversation about Hardware as a Service (HaaS) with a few skeptical MSPs. Their key question: Can you really turn a HaaS profit without taking on big financial risk? I’ve heard some successful anecdotes, but I’m deferring the question to two top MSPs and CharTec’s Alex Rogers. If you’d like to hear how they’re tackling HaaS, join our March 24 MSPmentor Live webcast. We’ll take your questions through the webcast discussion.
Retail Point of Sale Systems: Going HaaS?
Posted February 9th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Where is the hardware as a service (HaaS) market heading next? My best guess: The point of sale (POS) industry, where retailers want to focus on business rather than purchasing and owning point of sale devices. One recent deal, involving Island Pacific and First National Technology Solutions, offers some clues about how managed service providers are moving deeper into the retail market.
MSP Branding 101: Laptop Wraps
Posted February 8th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Question: If you’re a managed service provider that resells laptops and other hardware to your customer base, how do you promote your company brand over the hardware maker’s brand? The answer comes from MJ Shoer, president of Jenaly Technology Group, a managed service provider in New Hampshire.
ConnectWise Capital Invests in CharTec, HaaS
Posted February 1st, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Investment money is starting to flow into the hardware as a service (HaaS) market. A prime example: ConnectWise Capital today announced a “joint venture” with CharTec — which specializes in hardware as a service. Financial details of the relationship were not disclosed. But here are some perspectives.
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.
Apple iPad Tablet: Yes, MSPs Need to Try It
Posted January 27th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Re-read the headline. I’m not suggesting that you need to buy the Apple iPad tablet. Nor am I saying your customers will buy the iPad. But yes, managed services providers (MSPs) need to try Apple’s iPad while closely monitoring the tablet market. Here’s why. And yes, it involves Hardware as a Service.
ConnectWise Capital: $20 Million to “Incubate Innovation”
Posted January 22nd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
ConnectWise around January 25 is expected to launch ConnectWise Capital — a $20 million initiative that seeks to “incubate innovation” across the IT channel. I’ve got a few dozen thoughts about the move, which will involve multiple companies. But let’s start with the news…
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.
Take a look at our 