Sometimes a seemingly complex question has a simple answer. For instance: If managed services is the future of the channel, how many so many resellers have yet to really thrive as managed service providers? That question came up (yet again) during the Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference in Dallas. I considered some data points, looked at the numbers then drew my own conclusion.
Top 10 Tips to Improve Your Managed Services Sales Process
Posted May 5th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During the Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference in Dallas, VP Justin Crotty offered 10 tips for improving your managed services sales process. Crotty credited a specific managed service provider for the tips. Alas, I missed the MSP’s name — but I will ask Crotty for the company name shortly. In the meantime, here are those top 10 tips…
Managed Services Meets Health Care
Posted May 5th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
You’ve heard the hype: The health care vertical remains a hot opportunity for managed service providers. But how can MSPs get started in the health care vertical? And is there a successful MSP you can emulate? I found the answers a few hours ago while speaking with Mike Jones, CEO of ETG — a managed service provider in Birmingham, Alabama, that built its entire business around health care.
Preview: Six Trends At Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference
Posted May 4th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
In a few hours, more than 275 managed service provides will converge on Dallas for the third annual Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference. So, what should MSPs expect from the event? Here are six key managed services trends and developments I’ll be tracking at the event (May 4-6, Dallas).
Five Trends At Managed Services Conferences
Posted April 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It’s a busy few days for managed services conferences: MSPWorld (April 30-May 1, Orlando), SMB Nation Spring (May 1-3, New Jersey) and the Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference (May 4-6, Dallas) are all on my radar. Here are five key managed services topics/trends I expect to emerge from the conferences.
Kaseya Connect 2009 User Conference: Sold Out
Posted April 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Despite the recession, managed services conferences hosted by vendors seem to be maintaining their momentum. The latest case in point: The upcoming Kaseya Connect user conference — which typically attracts more than 250 MSPs and corporate IT managers — is sold out for 2009, according to Kevin McGuirk, executive VP of corporate marketing for Kaseya.
Desktop Virtualization Meets Managed Services
Posted August 14th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
I asked several managed service providers yesterday whether their customers were interested in Macs and Linux as secure, easy-to-manage alternatives to Windows PCs. The answer was a resounding “no.” Instead, the MSPs said, many of their customers are willing to virtualize their desktops, shifting most applications up to a server.
Why MSP Sales Experts Get Lazy
Posted August 13th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Some of the most successful managed service providers have discovered a rather troubling trend: Their best sales pros are getting a little lazy living off recurring commissions, and aren’t motivated enough to go out and close new business toward the end of a fiscal year.
Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference: 3 Managed Services Trends
Posted August 11th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Roughly 175 solutions providers are gathering in Chicago this week for the Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference, which runs August 11 through 13.
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