MSPmentor

If you run a successful managed service provider (MSP), here’s your opportunity for some potential publicity. Complete our latest MSPmentor 100 Survey, and your business could be ranked among the world’s 100 most successful MSPs. This annual global survey is open to all managed service providers — regardless of company size and geography. Read More >

During our October 2 Webcast, we explored network operation center (NOC) development and outsourcing strategies. If you missed the MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange broadcast, you can  view and listen to the archived event now.

And, sign up for our next Webcast panel discussion, scheduled for November 6 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. Here are the details for the November 6 edition of MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange.

If you’re a managed service provider, make sure you don’t brand yourself as an IT consultant. That’s one of the key areas where chief information officers plan to cut their budgets for 2009, according to a new survey from the CIO Executive Board.

According to the survey findings: Read More >

Last call: Register now for today’s MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange webcast. It’s scheduled for Thursday, October 2 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. During the event, you will have the opportunity to ask top managed service providers about their NOC (network operation center) strategies.

Confirmed guests include: Read More >

Zenith Infotech has been briefing managed service providers about a range of new services from the company. In an October 1 blog entry, the folks at Everon Technology Services offer some perspectives regarding Zenith’s Data Center as a Service, Box Office and Data Center in a Rack efforts. Read More >

Chances are, you know about the iPhone App Store — a wildly popular online destination where iPhone users can easily find and download applications. Now, the App Store trend is shifting to the software as a service (SaaS) industry, where companies like Zoho and SAVVIS are launching online application marketplaces.

Zoho, which competes with Google Apps and Salesforce.com, has had my attention for quite some time. But I learned about SAVVIS by reading Jeff Kaplan’s blog. Here’s a bit more about each company’s application marketplace, and the implications for managed service providers.

Read More >

For many entrepreneurs and executives, emotions don’t have a place at work. I have met and worked for many senior managers who expect employees to show up in uniform, ready to play, with their game face on. I have also been that manager at times—the one with his own problems who just wishes everyone would do their jobs without complaint and let me do mine.

If only people-management were that simple! In fact, emotions rule in the workplace, whether you want to admit it or not. You think the fight your top tech expert had last night with her husband doesn’t affect you? That you can turn your back when one of your salespeople tells you he’s being ridden so hard by his sales manager that he can’t focus? That it’s not your problem when a customer made your customer service manager break into tears? Read More >

An economic crisis can be scary. But silent leadership can compound employees’ fears. Savvy managed service providers (MSPs) like masterIT, ranked No. 6 on our MSPmentor 100 list, are working overtime to communicate with their employees during these stressful times.

Without sugar coating the financial meltdown, masterIT CEO J. Michael Drake sent a reassuring memo to his staff on Sept. 28. In it, Drake conceded that the US economy faces some real challenges. But he also provided considerable positive reinforcement to his staff, describing why masterIT remains well-positioned for growth.

Here’s a look at portions of Drake’s memo to team members: Read More >