Collabrance, an emerging subsidiary of GreatAmerica Leasing Corp., sounds like it is taking a fresh look at the Master MSP market — offering managed services to independent telecommunication, office equipment and IT dealers. Collabrance, which just launched a new website, claims to “help technology resellers provide IT services and support to their customers.” Specifically, Collabrance promotes security, communication and data protection services to reseller partners.
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GreatAmerica, Collabrance: A New Master MSP?
Posted October 27th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Do IT Smarter Exits Master MSP Business
Posted August 5th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Do IT Smarter, owned by ClearPointe, is exiting the Master MSP (managed services provider) business, according to multiple sources. Do IT Smarter recently sent an email to its MSP partners, informing the companies that they had 30 days to move off of Do IT Smarter’s systems. Here’s the update — along with a bigger question: What’s the future of the Master MSP business model?
Is It Possible to Build a Global Master MSP?
Posted June 20th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
On paper, Master MSPs sound like ideal channel partners. Generally speaking, Master MSPs offer VARs and aspiring MSPs a range of recurring revenue services and IT solutions — everything from NOC (network operations centers) to turnkey remote monitoring platforms. But the Master MSP market has faced its share of challenges over the years. Now comes word that MSP1 of India is seeking to build a global Master MSP business. Can the strategy succeed?
Master MSPs: New Missions, Evolving Ambitions?
Posted February 28th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Master MSPs — which offer education and multiple hosted services to VARs and aspiring managed services providers — seem to be evolving in multiple directions. Some are becoming cloud aggregators. Others are expanding their SMB channel training services. But one thing is clear: No two Master MSPs seem to have the same business plan these days. Here’s why.
Tenzing Managed IT Services Launches Partner Program
Posted February 14th, 2011 by John Moore
Tenzing Managed IT Services has launched its first channel program, formalizing relations with partners and putting the company on the master MSP path. The company’s Tenzing Partner Program lets integrators, VARs, and other partners offer its managed hosting services. Tenzing, based in Canada, operates data centers in Toronto, Vancouver, and Kelowna, B.C. The centers support SaaS and e-commerce applications.
Synnex Quietly Launches Big Managed Services Efforts
Posted January 25th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Multiple sources confirm that Synnex, the massive distributor, has launched a multi-vendor managed services effort that includes Axcient, Intronis, Level Platforms and Reflexion Networks — though additional software partners could be coming. Here’s the update.
MSP Mentor 100: Claris Networks Organically Growing
Posted October 7th, 2010 by Dave Courbanou
Claris Networks, ranked number 52 on our MSPmentor 100, specializes in cloud hosting — a pretty familiar term these days. But how does Claris differentiate from rivals? Here’s an update on how the Knoxville, Tennessee company is thriving down south…
Kaseya Cloud Tools Surface … At Virtual Administrator
Posted July 20th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
In recent days, I’ve been checking to see if/when Kaseya planned to launch SaaS-centric IT systems management tools for VARs and managed services providers. I just stumbled onto an official answer from Virtual Administrator, a long-time Kaseya partner. Sometime today, it sounds like Virtual Administrator will announce the availability of cloud-based IT systems management tools powered by Kaseya. Take a closer look and you’ll discover some important clues about branding and cloud tool pricing. Here’s the update.
MSP Service Level Agreements: What’s Covered, What Isn’t?
Posted April 5th, 2010 by Paul Barnett
What services should you include — and exclude — in your managed services offering? A recent call from one of our Virtual Administrator partners got me thinking about that question. John (a fictitious name) told me a story of a managed services client who demanded a service I feel lies outside the scope of a reasonable managed services contract. Here’s the story, and some guidance for established and aspiring MSPs.
The Utility Company Attracts $1 Million In Funding
Posted March 16th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
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.
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.
