MSPmentor

MSPmentor will host its first Executive Boardroom in New York on Tuesday, October 25. During this exclusive event, we’ll review how top MSPs are pushing into cloud services — either through strategic partnerships or via home-grown solutions. Our confirmed guest speakers during this roundtable discussion include ScaleMatrix CEO Mark Ortenzi, Mycroft CISO Liz Mann and CA Technologies GM Adam Famularo. Here are more details.

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FusionStorm, which promotes cloud services and managed services, is building closer ties to VMware. The latest example: FusionStorm’s IT Xpress Cloud is now recognized as a a vCloud Powered Service.

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I spend considerable time covering IT mergers and acquisitions. Now, it’s time for me to shift the spotlight directly onto our business. Specifically, Nine Lives Media Inc., the company behind MSPmentor, has been acquired by Penton Media. Effective immediately, the Nine Lives Media brands — MSPmentor, The VAR Guy and Talkin’ Cloud — are part of Penton’s Technology Group. But don’t call it an exit strategy. This is an acceleration strategy. Here’s why.

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Sure, plenty of big cloud computing companies want to sell direct into small and midsize businesses. So how can MSPs maintain those SMB relationships and generate new profits without bowing to IT giants? For the answer join our next MSPmentor Live webcast on December 8 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. This is our final webcast of 2010. Here’s a look at what we’ll cover.

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Join MSPmentor this Wednesday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. eastern for our next MSPmentor Live webcast: SaaS vs. On Premises MSP Software. The webcast will be a 40-minute fireside chat — even more interactive — exploring the key business drivers for selecting on-premises or SaaS (software as a services) MSP platforms. Here’s some more background, including updated guest speaker information.

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Welcome to my 939th blog entry on MSPmentor. Strangely, I must concede — this is the first time I’ve suffered from real writer’s block. I spent so much time and energy focused on the managed services accreditation “debate,” that I’m sort of drained. Still, a lot of people ask me “how do you come up with your blog ideas for MSPmentor?” Here are five answers, which may help aspiring bloggers find their own rhythm and voice.

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I spent some time at Kaseya’s User Conference in Las Vegas. Here is a poolside video interview featuring Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie.

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MSPmentor Editorial Director Joe Panettieri will be the featured guest speaker on Industry Perspective, a videocast hosted by Zenith Infotech’s MSPTV. To register for the July 16 videocast, which starts at 12:30pm eastern, visit here.

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Welcome to MSPmentor Live: Podcast edition.

• Episode #: 007 (May 29, 2008)
• Featured Guest: Justin Crotty, VP, Services, North America, Ingram Micro.
• Topics Covered: We explore Ingram Micro Seismic, the distributor’s portfolio of managed services offerings. How can VARs go to market with Seismic, how does it compare to MSP offerings from other distributors, and are managed services in danger of becoming a commodity?

And check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center for additional weekly podcasts.

MSPmentor Live: Podcast, Featuring Justin Crotty, Ingram Micro Seismic Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Welcome to MSPmentor Live: Podcast edition.

• Episode #: 006 (May 19, 2008)
• Featured Guest: Mike Cooch, CEO, Everon Technology Services LLC, a regional solution provider that has transformed itself into a national MSP.
• Topics Covered: Key themes and trends Cooch expects to hear at the MSPAlliance’s Managed Services Summit near Boston; how to transform from a local break-fix VAR into a national MSP that has regional support partners; melding software as a service and hosting services with your MSP solutions; the economy.

And check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center for additional weekly podcasts.

MSPmentor Live: Podcast, Featuring Everon CEO Mike Cooch [ 7:06 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Site Update: If you ever need to reach MSPmentor’s staff, use the contact info available on the About Us page.

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Forgive me for going slightly off topic. I have some news to share: MSPmentor has a new sister Web site. It’s called Works With U, and it covers an emerging, disruptive Linux distribution called Ubuntu.

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Welcome to MSPmentor’s Weekly Podcast.

• Episode #: 002, (April 17, 2008)
• Featured Guest: David Mulvey, president of Advanced Network Products — one of the top managed service providers in North America. Mulvey’s company was ranked number 17 in the MSPmentor 100 list.
• Topics Covered: Mulvey’s best — and worst — moves as an MSP. How to prepare your sales team for managed services. Why advanced Network Products (www.anp.net) is investing in its own network operation centers rather than outsourcing the NOC function to a larger service provider.

And check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center for additional weekly podcasts.

MSPmentor Live: Podcast 002, Featuring Advanced Network Products CEO David Mulvey Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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MSPmentor Live: Podcast 001, Featuring Level Platforms CEO Peter Sandiford Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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