We got a bit distracted this week by CA Inc.’s surprise buyout of Nimsoft for $350 million. Several other stories and deadlines slipped through he cracks. Here are seven managed services blog entries our team didn’t have time to write for the week ending March 12, 2010.
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Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: March 12
Posted March 12th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Cloud Computing Reality Check: 4 Milestones to Track
Posted February 22nd, 2010 by Justin Crotty
Most of us have heard by now that cloud computing is set to displace managed services, forcing MSPs to rethink their role as value-added trusted advisors to their clients. Don’t believe these dire predictions of impending MSP doom. It’s hype and in fact, as a true MSP your value proposition doesn’t have to change with cloud computing. If you play your cards well, the cloud will bring you more business, not less. Here’s why.
Seven Managed Services Blogs We Didn’t Write: Feb. 19
Posted February 19th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
The deadlines kept coming this week. We met most (but not all) of them. Plus, we’re still busy chasing some rather strategic news that will break within days. Here are some clues, plus seven managed services blog entries we didn’t write for the week ending February 19.
Master MSPs: 2010 Reality Check
Posted February 11th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
When we compiled our latest MSPmentor 100 survey results, I was surprised to see 18.2 percent of survey participants consider their companies Master MSPs. I must concede: I’m skeptical of that figure. It sounds somewhat inflated to me… like a stretch goal that many MSPs have yet to fulfill. Here’s an update on the Master MSP market, including a FastChat video conversation with Do IT Smarter President Lane Smith.
Systems Management: Targeting the Big Four
Posted January 21st, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Nimsoft and Groundwork Open Source are strikingly different companies. And they rarely run into each other in competitive settings. Now here’s the irony: Both companies claim they are displacing BMC, CA, HP Openview and IBM Tivoli in some enterprise accounts. And yes, there’s a managed services hook here. Let me explain.
Former MSPSN CEO Assists Synnex’s MSP Moves
Posted January 21st, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Synnex, in a potential competitive move against Ingram Micro Seismic, has tapped former MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby to assist the distributor’s managed services efforts. The initiative also involves itControl Solutions Inc. Here are some preliminary details.
MSP Software: Targeted Markets Today, Shakeout Tomorrow
Posted January 14th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
While discussing Managed Workplace 2010’s debut earlier today, Level Platforms CEO Peter Sandiford offered key views on how the managed services software market will segment. Read between the lines and you’ll begin to understand how Level Platforms intends to differentiate from such rivals as Kaseya, N-able and Nimsoft (among others). Here are my conclusions about current and emerging market trends, plus FastChat video interviews with Sandiford.
Seven Managed Services Blogs We Didn’t Write: Dec. 11
Posted December 11th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I’m seated in Starbucks, waiting for a train from Manhattan to Long Island. Another day of channel chief and MSP meetings is nearly over. Plenty of news to share next week. In the meantime, here are seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor didn’t have time to write for the week ending Dec. 11.
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.
North American SMBs: Falling for Managed Services?
Posted November 10th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Here’s an interesting business and technology paradox: AMI Partners, a research firm, says North American SMBs will increase their spending on remote managed services at a compound annual growth rate of 28 percent for the next five years. Sounds awesome. But if things are so good why are some MSP software providers suggesting that portions of the managed services market have somewhat stalled?
ConnectWise Partner Summit: Six Managed Services Videos
Posted November 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
During the ConnectWise Partner Summit, MSPmentor sat down with a range of managed services experts. In the following MSPmentor FastChat videos, we covered such topics as hardware as a service (HaaS), MSP-to-MSP collaboration, sales and business development, online marketing for MSPs and email security. Here are six FastChat videos with a range of MSP industry experts…
MSP Standardization: Computer Troubleshooters Embraces NTRglobal
Posted November 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The trend toward managed services standardization continues. The latest example involves Computer Troubleshooters Global LLC, which has roughly 475 managed services franchises worldwide, embracing NTRglobal’s remote IT administration software. Here’s a look at the deal and the broader implications for MSPs.
Kutenda Offers Free Web Sites to MSPs
Posted October 27th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Kutenda, which specializes in online marketing services for managed service providers and their end customers, is launching a special offer for MSPs. According to a press release that should surface this week, the Broomfield, Colo.-based company says Kutenda now offers MSPs a free, ready-to-go web site built for lead generation. But there’s a bigger story here. And it involves simplified, automated online marketing for MSPs and their customers. Here are the details.
Intermedia, Ingram Micro Seismic Team on Hosted Exchange
Posted October 26th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
If you’re an MSP trying to decide whether to cooperate or compete with Microsoft’s SaaS offerings, here’s another avenue for you to consider: Ingram Micro Seismic, the master managed service provider, has inked a co-marketing and sales agreement to offer Intermedia’s hosted Microsoft offerings — including hosted Exhange 2007, SharePoint and Dynamics 3.0. Here’s a closer look at Ingram Micro Seismic’s overall strategy, Intermedia’s business model and the emerging Microsoft SaaS industry.
Zetta Cloud Storage Goes Live
Posted October 21st, 2009 by Matthew Weinberger
Zetta, an enterprise-level cloud storage service available to managed service providers and VARs, finally leaves a long closed beta phase and becomes available to the channel at large today. Sure, online storage is an increasingly crowded market, but Zetta claims to have licked a few challenges that plague their peers. Here’s how.
Recession Beater: masterIT’s Best Year Ever
Posted October 20th, 2009 by Matthew Weinberger
At a time when roughly 10 percent of North American MSPs are falling off the map, masterIT is on pace to have its most profitable year ever, according to Chairman and CEO J. Michael Drake. As part of our ongoing look at MSPmentor 100 companies, here’s an update on masterIT’s evolving business — including a strategy that gives customers 90 days to get hooked on managed services.
MSPs Successfully Target Midmarket Customers
Posted September 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
When managed service providers say they target midsize customers, the statement can mean many things. In one scenario, the MSPs remotely manage midsize corporate networks. In another scenario, the MSPs resell remote monitoring and management software into midmarket IT departments, and therefore develop new business relationships with midmarket customers. N-able’s channel partners seem to be gaining momentum in that latter scenario. Here’s some analysis.
MSPs: Time for a Financial Management Dashboard?
Posted September 15th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Imagine if there was a single financial management dashboard that allowed MSPs to track their health — and also compare their health to the overall MSP and solutions provider community. Sound compelling? CoreConnex and Service Leadership Inc. are working on such a dashboard strategy. Here’s the scoop.
Podcast: Ingram Micro Seismic and Nimsoft – A Closer Look
Posted September 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The Ingram Micro Seismic-Nimsoft relationship has been rumored for months. Now that it’s actually official, I wanted to take a closer look at the deal and the implications for VARs and managed services providers (MSPs). Seeking answers and perspectives, I spoke with Jason Beal (director of sales, North America) from Ingram Micro’s Services Division and Nimsoft President and CEO Gary Read.
Ingram Micro Seismic, Nimsoft to Partner On Managed Services
Posted August 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The Ingram Micro Seismic team on Aug. 31 is expected to announce plans to offer Nimsoft’s software to VARs and managed service providers targeting mid-market and large enterprises. But this isn’t just a “reseller” deal. Here are some early details plus some observations about the evolving Master MSP and remote monitoring markets.
CompTIA Breakaway: Managed Print Services Gain Spotlight
Posted August 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I hesitate to call this “the year” of managed print services, but it certainly seems like vendors, industry associations and managed service providers are rallying around managed print services. The latest example comes from CompTIA Breakaway 2009, kicking off this week in Las Vagas.
An On-ramp to Managed Services?
Posted July 17th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
What’s the fastest way to become a managed service provider? Are there certain steps you can take to accelerate your success? I weighed those questions while meeting with Virtual Administrator, a Master managed service provider, at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference 2009 (WPC09) in New Orleans this week. Here’s a recap.
SaaS Stocks Up Nearly 30% In First Half 2009
Posted July 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The worst of times have turned into the best of times for software as a service (SaaS) stocks. After a horrid performance in 2008, SaaS stocks rallied nearly 30 percent during the first half of 2009, according to Nine Lives Media Inc.’s SaaS 20 Stock Index. Here’s a look at the SaaS leaders to date…
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