Picture this: At the recent TruMethods Schnizzfest conference, managed services providers like masterIT said annual revenues were growing roughly 30 percent. And at the recent Ingram Micro Cloud Summit, scores of MSPs expressed optimism about their growth prospects. Meanwhile, U.S. financial markets have declined for six consecutive weeks. And there are growing fears on Wall Street that the U.S. economy is heading for a double-dip recession. What’s an MSP to do? Here are some clues.
Intermedia: Still Committed to MSPs and Channel Partners?
Posted June 9th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
During Ingram Micro Cloud Summit last week, a few MSPs pulled me aside to ask a key question: Is Intermedia, the hosted Exchange specialist, still committed to managed services providers (MSPs) and channel partners? The question popped up because Oak Hill Capital Partners, an investment firm, acquired Intermedia in May 2011. The change in control has some MSPs wondering how Intermedia will evolve. Here’s the answer.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: June 3
Posted June 3rd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
I spent much of the week at Ingram Micro Cloud Summit in Phoenix, Ariz. There was plenty of managed services chatter at the conference. But as usual, we’ve got too many news leads and too little time. So here are seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor didn’t have time to write for the week ending June 3, 2011.
Ingram Micro Linking Cloud Billing to PSA Software
Posted June 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Imagine having a single cloud procurement system that allows MSPs to source multiple SaaS applications, set end-customer pricing, maintain brand control and integrate the billing information with PSA (professional services automation) software. Ingram Micro’s new Cloud Marketplace will eventually include that type of procurement capability for channel partners. Here’s the plan.
Ingram Micro: More RMM and Managed Services Relationships Emerge
Posted June 1st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Ingram Micro is expanding its partner portfolio in the managed services software market. The distributor already offers Level Platforms and Nimsoft as line card items to MSPs. This morning, Ingram Micro North America confirmed a new managed services relationship with N-able Technologies, and there are clues that Ingram and Kaseya are discussing a new partnership. Here’s the update.
Managed Services and Cloud Computing: Ingram Micro Blurs the Line
Posted June 1st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The second-annual Ingram Micro Cloud Summit is set to start later today (June 1) in Phoenix, Ariz. But if you take a closer look you’ll discover that the event was spun off from another annual gathering involving Ingram Micro Seismic MSPs. So what’s the difference between Ingram Micro Cloud and Ingram Micro Seismic? Less and less. Here’s why.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: May 27
Posted May 30th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor team is recharging a bit before heading off to multiple conferences over the next two weeks. Here’s a look at our next destinations. Plus, the seven managed services blogs we didn’t have time to write for the week ending May 27, 2011.
2011 Managed Services Conferences & Channel Partner Summits
Posted November 22nd, 2010 by The VAR Guy
Here’s a novel idea: What if there was a central, well-organized list of channel partner conferences and partner summits designed for managed services providers (MSPs), VARs and solutions providers? And what if you could use that list to plan your schedule for 2011? Alas, MSPmentor doesn’t have such a list… Only a lunatic like The VAR Guy would be crazy enough to pull together all that information. And here it is: 75 channel partner events and channel partner conferences designed for MSPs, VARs and everything else channel. Take a look and feel free to post your suggested changes/updates.
Cisco Systems and Verizon Business Leap Into Cloud Together
Posted June 10th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
During the Ingram Micro Cloud Summit on June 7, a managed services provider (MSP) asked guest speakers why big telcos had yet to make cloud and managed services moves. My reply: Watch for major initiatives involving Cisco Systems and Verizon Business. Fast forward a few days, and the Cisco-Verizon cloud moves are coming into focus. Here are details.
Ingram Micro Cloud Summit: Top 10 Highlights
Posted June 7th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
The Ingram Micro Cloud Summit is wrapping up in Dallas today. Roughly 250 VARs and managed services providers attended the conference. So what were the key takeaways? And better yet… what rumors surfaced behind the scenes? Here are some observations from MSPmentor.
MSPs: Before You Sign That Office Lease…
Posted June 7th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
During my flight to the Ingram Micro Cloud Summit in Dallas, I struck up a conversation with the passenger seated next to me. At first, he wanted to know all about my iPad. But 10 minutes into the conversation, I wanted to know all about his business — which offers virtual office space to small businesses. The more I heard, the more I wondered why really small MSPs would ever sign a full-blown office lease. Here’s a recap.
Ingram Micro Talks Cloud With Amazon, Rackspace, Salesforce.com
Posted June 7th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
The rumors were true: Ingram Micro is developing cloud-centric business relationships with Amazon.com, Rackspace Hosting, Salesforce.com and several other heavy hitters. The relationships are linked to Ingram Micro’s new Cloud Conduit initiative. Here are details about the moves, and the potential implications for managed services providers (MSPs) and VARs.
Cloud: Where Ingram Micro Will and Won’t Play
Posted June 7th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
During the Ingram Micro Cloud Summit in Dallas this morning, Services VP Justin Crotty described where Ingram Micro will and won’t play in the cloud. He also described how the smartest solutions providers are succeeding in the cloud. Here’s a rapid recap.
How to Sell Customers on the Cloud’s Business Advantages
Posted June 2nd, 2010 by Justin Crotty
The surest way for solution providers to sell cloud computing to SMB customers is to talk about the technology’s business advantages throughout the sale cycle. It’s not just a starting point for the conversation. If presented correctly, these benefits combined with your services will be what ultimately seals the deal.
