Call it a small step for the managed services market, but a significant move for the Utility Company. The Master MSP, which works with a range of managed services providers, has attracted $1 million in financing, led by BDC Capital Inc. The Utility Company plans to use the money for a mid-market push, among other things. Here are the details.
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The Utility Company Attracts $1 Million In Funding
Posted March 16th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Alert Logic Reveals Cloud Strategy, Partner Program
Posted February 24th, 2010 by John Moore
Managed security services providers (MSSPs) sometimes act as master MSPs, seeking out channel players as marketing allies. See here and here. Alert Logic follows a similar track, although the company believes it offers a different approach. The Houston-based firm targets a range of channel partners — hosting providers, MSPs, and VARs — with security offerings delivered as a service. Here are some new details.
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Have A Chance to Write: Dec. 4
Posted December 4th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The week started off slowly. Then Thursday night turned into a blogging marathon with two big breaking stories. So what blogs didn’t MSPmentor have a chance to write this week? Here are seven of them for the week ending Dec. 4, 2009.
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.
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.
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.
Tech Data: We Won’t Emulate Ingram Micro Seismic
Posted June 12th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Even as Tech Data inks reseller relationships with managed services software providers, the distributor has no plans to emulate rival Ingram Micro’s Seismic master managed services strategy, according to eChannel Line. The Tech Data and Ingram Micro strategies seem as different as night and day. Here’s some perspective.
MaxSP: Out of Business?
Posted May 14th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Time for me to eat a little more crow and also follow-up on an old story. Back in November 2008 I praised MaxSP for having a clear mission statement and a clear channel model for partners that wanted to profit from business continuity. Perhaps that praise was too strong. Fast forward to the present, and MaxSP allegedly has gone out of business.
StillSecure Pursues Managed Services, Channel Allies
Posted May 1st, 2009 by John Moore
Although it doesn’t bill itself as such, StillSecure has taken on the characteristics of a master MSP (managed service provider). That’s quite a transition for a company that, until recently, spent most of its time selling network security products.
ServiceKey: Unlocking MSP Opportunities?
Posted April 17th, 2009 by John Moore
ServiceKey, a master MSP, is attracting a growing partner base with a portfolio of services that aim to address some basic end-customer needs. The Norcross, Ga. company strictly follows a channel model, providing services that VARs, integrations, MSPs and other channel partners offer under their own brand. Roughly 75 VARs and MSPs are on board. Here’s the scoop.
VirtualAdministrator Expands Master MSP Staff
Posted March 11th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
SecureMyCompany veteran Stuart Selbst is turning a rare double play in the master MSP market: After a short stint at MSP University, Selbst is joining VirtualAdministrator as director of channel development. Both VirtualAdministrator and SecureMyCompany specialize in hosted Kaseya and other master MSP services — making Selbst a rare find in the manged services market.
How to Structure Your Managed Services Offering
Posted March 3rd, 2009 by Paul Barnett
Our VirtualAdministrator partners often ask us how to package and price their managed services offerings. Structuring your offering correctly can be vital to the success of your business. If you charge too much, you risk scaring customers away — charge too little, and you cheat yourself. Too many plan options confuse customers, while too few limits your market. A great method to use is a tiered offering. The Silver, Gold, and Platinum approach as we call it. Here’s how to get started.
Box.net Shared Storage Meets Managed Services
Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Question: How can small and midsize businesses — such as accounting firms, legal firms and architectural companies — easily but securely share files with selected clientele? One potential answer is Box.net, a simple content management and storage service. Eager adopters include Network Depot, a managed service provider in Reston, Va. Here are some details.
Managed Services Podcast: Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty
Posted February 27th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
This MSPmentor Live: Podcast wraps up our week-long look at the Master MSP (managed services provider) trend. Our guest is Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty. Our conversation covers the following six topics…
Managed Services Podcast Featuring Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty [13:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadPodcast: MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby
Posted February 26th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
In today’s episode, MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby (pictured) describes her company’s position in the Master MSP market. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast also covers the following five key topics…
Podcast: Master MSP Amy Luby, CEO of MSP Services Network (MSPSN) [9:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadPodcast: Master MSP Lane Smith From Do IT Smarter
Posted February 25th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
In today’s episode, Do IT Smarter President Lane Smith describes his company’s position in the Master MSP market. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast covers the following four key topics:
- An Overview: How Do IT Smarter got started
- Beyond hosting: What else master MSPs offer
- Do IT Smarter and the MSPAlliance
- Next moves for Do IT Smarter, and aspiring MSPs
Check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center each week for a new podcast. But just for this week, check back daily for a new Master MSP-focused interview.
Podcasts: Master MSP Week At MSPmentor
Posted February 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The buzz about Master MSPs continues to grow louder. But it’s unfair to lump all Master Managed Service Providers into a single bucket. Each Master MSP offers a slightly different mix of hosted services, training and support to peer VARs and aspiring MSPs. In order to shed more light on the Master MSP trend…
Podcast: Master MSP Chris Amori From Virtual Administrator
Posted February 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
In today’s episode — part of our special Master MSP coverage this week — Virtual Administrator’s Chris Amori describes how his company is hosting Kaseya services for VARs and aspiring managed service providers. Plus, he describes Virtual Administrator’s next moves.
Podcast: Master MSP Chris Amori From Virtual Administrator [7:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMSP Services Network Veteran Joins SecureMyCompany
Posted February 19th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
An update from the managed services talent pool: Nancy Williams, a veteran of MSP Services Network (MSPSN), has joined SecureMyCompany as VP of community relations. Here’s a bit more on the move.
Managed Services: The Value Is the Service
Posted February 18th, 2009 by Justin Crotty
Generally speaking, IT managed service providers are technologists, both in training and previous professional pursuits. The managed services market is also highly fragmented, with a long list of small technology and software companies all battling for the attention and business of end users and IT service providers. The value focus in all of the selling and marketing efforts has resulted in a disturbing trend carried over from the hardware selling models: A focus on tools, technology, and features/functions. Here’s how to avoid that trap at all costs.
SecureMyCompany Veteran Joins MSP University
Posted February 17th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
One of the most vocal personalities at SecureMyCompany — a Master MSP that hosts Kaseya software — apparently is leaving the company to join MSP University.
ADTRAN Launches n-Command MSP Platform
Posted December 15th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
I hinted earlier this month that ADTRAN, which competes with Cisco Systems on some fronts, would be making aggressive moves into the managed services market. An official release about the managed services strategy surfaced today, with ADTRAN announcing n-Command MSP, a remote monitoring and management tool for VARs.
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