MSPmentor

At the ConnectWise Partner Summit in Orlando, Fla., vendors continue to connect the dots between disparate managed services systems. For example:

• I hear Ingram Micro Seismic Help Desk will soon integrate with ConnectWise’s professional services automation (PSA) software.
• MX Logic today will introduce a free tool that will MSPs generate monthly security reports for customers. The tool integrates with ConnectWise.
• Sources say Level Platforms will demonstrate some sort of integration with Zenith Infotech’s business continuity solution.

MSPs that depend on multiple managed services tools will welcome those efforts.

Still, there is a bigger at story here: MSP software providers are cooperating and competing to  determine which company will become the Microsoft Windows of managed services. Skeptical? Here’s my reasoning.

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At the ConnectWise Partner Summit in Orlando, Fla., managed service providers  are buzzing about a range of topics. Amid growing US economic concerns, many managed service providers here are striving to focus on marketing, sales and emerging partnerships. However, there’s no doubt that the economy is starting to impact MSPs. Here’s why.

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When the ConnectWise Partner Summit kicks off this week in Orlando, Fla., I’ll be sitting down with managed service providers and vendors to gather their observations. Roughly 700 MSPs are expected to attend the event. Here are five key trends I expect to track at the conference. Read More >

As a $17.95 billion value-added distributor, Avnet Inc. could certainly throw its weight around in the managed services market. But instead of hyping Avnet’s OneTech managed services strategy, CEO Roy Vallee (pictured) expresses cautious optimism.

In an interview with MSPmentor, Vallee concedes it’s too early to say where the managed services market will take Avnet.

Here’s more perspective from Vallee.

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In part 1, I described how you can line up vendor money to pay for your branding efforts. Here in part 2, I explore a specific case study: In late 2007, Trailhead Technologies Inc. was a managed services provider without a clear brand — and without Web site.

Trailhead turned to local marketing agencies for help, but the agencies didn’t understand Trailhead’s business and the concept of managed services, according to company president Erik Johnson. In December 2007, Trailhead began to find some branding answers during an Ingram Micro Seismic conference in Dallas.

Here’s how the branding story played out, and some key lessons for other MSPs to consider. Read More >

I spoke with Avnet Technology Solutions on August 20 to get more details about their expanded OneTech Managed Services initiative, which the company announced earlier this week.

I’ve been trying to sort out how Avnet’s strategy differs from Ingram Micro Seismic, Tech Data VARChoice and Synnex. Here are some general observations. Read More >

Avnet Technology Solutions (ATS) is expanding its OneTech Managed Services initiative. At the New Frontiers Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., ATS unveiled a “new family of remote monitoring and management services, enabling its value-added reseller partners to expand their service offerings.” Here’s a bit more info. Read More >

During a private roundtable at the Ingram Micro Seismic partner conference in Chicago, a managed service provider shared a rather intriguing approach to sales lead generation. Here it is.

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