MSPmentor

Some technology vendors are canceling face-to-face events to conserve cash. Other technology pundits are embracing telepresence to drive video conference discussions.

It’s wise to closely monitor your business spending. But it’s time for managed service providers to emulate George Costanza of Seinfeld fame. In one classic episode of the sitcom, George discovers he’s far more successful when he does the exact opposite of his initial instincts.

Translation: While everyone else is canceling business travel you should get out on the road. Now. Here’s why.

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I’m starting to worry. About the economy? Not really. Instead, I’m worried about a self-fulfilling prophecy for managed service providers. The media is so consumed with negative economic news that more and more of us expect customers to stop spending on IT.

But here are three key pieces of information to keep in mind as managed service providers digest ongoing economic news.

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MaxSP, which appears to be a business continuity expert of sorts, says it has bolstered its Data Protection Suite with storage management software from Acronis.

MaxSP caught my attention for three reasons:

1. The company’s name screams managed services.
2. MaxSP seems to specialize in a hybrid storage management approach, where on-site appliances complement off-site data center services.
3. MaxSP’s Web site does not sell direct to end-customers. Instead, all of the company documentation and Web links reinforce the value of MaxSP’s channel partners and managed service providers.

Here’s what I mean: Read More >

More than half of small business owners are having some cash flow problems, according to a recent American Express survey of 768 small business owners. (Note: the businesses have 100 or fewer employees).

That made me wonder: Are managed service providers starting to face some cash flow issues or will service level agreements (SLAs) and recurring revenue contracts help to soften the economic blow for MSPs? Please answer this quick poll and we’ll blog about the results on November 17.

Pointivity is the latest Web host and managed service provider to begin hosting services for other VARs and MSPs. The strategy involves a partner program for hosted Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint, Dynamics, Blackberry services, Global Relay email archiving and dedicated servers.

Here are some quick details, along with another trend: Rise of the Master SaaS Provider.

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Virtualization was supposed to simplify IT. But as companies consolidate their physical servers, virtualize their applications and push some services into the cloud, it’s getting more difficult to track and manage all of those virtual assets.

That’s where managed services enter the picture. A case in point: Level Platforms Inc. has announced support for virtual environments, including virtual servers, LANs, storage and desktops. This is part of a growing trend across the managed services industry. Read More >

For anyone who has ignored or dismissed the economic crisis, check out the latest financial forecast from Cisco Systems.

No need for panic. Managed service providers will weather the economic storm better than VARs. And many large IT shops are cutting costs by outsourcing functions to MSPs.

But don’t believe anyone who tells you managed service providers are fully immune to the economic crisis. That just isn’t the case.

The next MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange — a managed services webcast — is November 6, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Register now to hear how Gary Pica (general manager of mindSHIFT Technologies, a top managed service provider) and William MacLeod (CIO of Accu-Sort Systems, a top mindSHIFT customer) are strengthening their business relationship during these turbulent economic times.

Find complete information about the managed services webcast or register now by visiting here.