When I wrote about the wait-and-see attitude managed Exchange provider Azaleos was taking to the cloud back in December 2009, I got a lot of feedback from MSPs on both sides of the argument. I recently caught up with Azaleos VP of Marketing and Product Management Scott Gode, and he says that while the company’s not giving up on on-premises messaging by a long shot, they’ve seen a rise in demand for their managed hybrid Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) services. Here’s why services providers should care.
Microsoft Takes Cloud Message to Channel Partners
Posted March 10th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft unveiled the latest chapter in its cloud strategy today, as Channel Chief Allison Watson outlined potential cloud opportunities for VARs and MSPs. Watson held a webcast for channel partners earlier today. And she sat down for a FastChat video with The VAR Guy to answer additional cloud-centric channel questions. In the FastChat videos, Watson discusses opportunities involving Windows Azure and BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite), competition with Google, first cloud steps for VARs, and the SaaS pricing questions that sometimes pop up within Microsoft’s channel ecosystem. Here are the videos.
SaaS: What MSPs Can Learn From Hosting Providers
Posted March 2nd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Many MSPs are trying to sort out their software as a service (SaaS) strategies — with an eye toward Hosted Exchange and Hosted SharePoint. The big question: How do you continue to maintain customer control, even as SaaS platforms like Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) move into the market and launch low-ball pricing? Instead of living in fear, smart MSPs may want to start checking in with large web hosting providers — many of whom have already sorted out their SaaS and Hosted Exchange strategies.
Microsoft, Google Making Federal Cloud Moves
Posted February 26th, 2010 by John Moore
There’s high-level support for cloud computing in the government space so, unsurprisingly, vendors are following the money. The latest to do so is Microsoft. The company this week rolled out a federal-specific version of its Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). And you can bet Google and Amazon Web Services will be making some federal cloud moves as well. Here are some of the details and implications.
Microsoft Quietly Researches Hosting Market
Posted February 23rd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft is quietly conducting some informal SaaS and hosting research at the Parallels Summit in Miami. The cloud-centric conference has attracted several hundred service providers and VARs focused on recurring revenue opportunities. Clearly, Microsoft is working hard to connect more closely with summit attendees — many of whom are checking out the Google Apps reseller program. Here’s some perspective.
Hosted SharePoint: The Next SaaS Commodity?
Posted February 16th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
When RackSpace recently announced plans to offer hosted Microsoft SharePoint, it signaled both an opportunity and a warning sign for managed services providers. Is hosted SharePoint the next commodity SaaS service. Yes and no. Here’s why.
Microsoft, Orange Partner on European SaaS
Posted February 10th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
A heads up to European VARs and MSPs looking to get into the SaaS (software as a service) market. You’ve got new competition from Orange Business Services, the managed communication services arm of European communication giant France Telecom. Orange has been granted “approved reseller” status for Microsoft Online Services. It’s a significant move from two huge companies. Here’s some perspective.
Seven Managed Services Blogs We Didn’t Write: Feb. 5
Posted February 5th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Forgive me for being distracted (again). Our team is busy polishing and posting the MSPmentor 100 report onto a hidden section of our website. The complete report debuts Feb. 10, shortly after a webcast on the topic. In the meantime, here are seven managed services blog entries our team didn’t have the time to write for the week ending Feb. 5, 2010.
Microsoft Windows Azure Cloud Arrives
Posted February 1st, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Windows Azure, Microsoft’s cloud for independent software vendors and partners, officially debuts with a paid pricing model today. Matt Weinberger offers some timely Azure perspectives over on The VAR Guy. But I’d like to weigh in with a few perspectives for managed services providers — particularly thoughts on Azure vs. Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite. Here they are.
NaviSite: Lotus Meets SaaS
Posted January 28th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
Last week, I reported that NaviSite was bringing hosted Lotus services to their NaviCloud application platform, including messaging through Domino. It takes guts to compete with Microsoft Exchange’s apparent stronghold on the e-mail space. To get some perspective on NaviSite’s strategy and the implications for managed services providers, I spoke with NaviSite’s Product Manager, Tony Rorai. Here’s a recap.
SaaS: Microsoft Bolsters BPOS Partner Sales Support
Posted January 11th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft’s BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite) team is bolstering its SaaS training options for channel partners. The effort includes learning tools, delivery support and technical support options for VARs and managed services providers. Here’s a look.
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Write: Jan 8
Posted January 8th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
I’ve got a backlog of content on my hard drive just waiting to get published up on MSPmentor. But once again, there weren’t enough hours in the week to get everything done. Here are seven managed services blog entries our team didn’t have time to write for the week ending Jan. 8, 2010.
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.
Microsoft Wins Huge European Cloud Deal
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It’s one small step for Microsoft’s cloud software strategy, and one giant leap for UK’s Royal Mail Group. Specifically, Royal Mail Group’s 30,000 employees will leverage Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). Computer Sciences Corp., a massive integrator, won the SaaS and cloud deal for Microsoft. Here are some details and early perspectives for smaller managed service providers (MSPs) and integrators.
Confirmed: Microsoft Cuts SaaS Prices 33 Percent
Posted November 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft is slashing some SaaS prices by 33 percent, confirming a scoop from TheVARGuy.com earlier today. Sources close to Microsoft say this is the start of a SaaS price war with Google Apps, with VARs and MSPs potentially getting squeezed. But Microsoft is reminding reporters that more than 7,000 partners are building SaaS practices around Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), Exchange Online and SharePoint Online, among other offerings. Here’s the updated report from The VAR Guy.
Microsoft Preparing SaaS Price Cuts?
Posted November 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Two sources tell our sister site, The VAR Guy, that Microsoft plans to make SaaS (software as a service) price cuts amid a cloud war with Google Apps. Check out The VAR Guy’s blog for a look at potential implications for VARs and managed service providers.
HTG Peer Groups: 220 MSPs Set to Chat
Posted October 27th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Roughly 220 managed service providers and VARs are set to converge in Orlando, Fla., at the HTG Peer Group meetings. Cloud computing will be a central theme for the meeting. But there will also be a big focus on so-called “legacy plans.” Here’s what to expect at the HTG gathering, and the clues it may offer about the MSP industry’s evolution.
Intermedia, Ingram Micro Seismic Team on Hosted Exchange
Posted October 26th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
If you’re an MSP trying to decide whether to cooperate or compete with Microsoft’s SaaS offerings, here’s another avenue for you to consider: Ingram Micro Seismic, the master managed service provider, has inked a co-marketing and sales agreement to offer Intermedia’s hosted Microsoft offerings — including hosted Exhange 2007, SharePoint and Dynamics 3.0. Here’s a closer look at Ingram Micro Seismic’s overall strategy, Intermedia’s business model and the emerging Microsoft SaaS industry.
Preview: Five Trends at ConnectWise Partner Summit
Posted October 26th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The ConnectWise Partner Summit kicks off Nov. 4 in Orlando, Fla. Roughly 900 managed service providers — including HTG Peer Group members — are expected to converge on the event. Here are five trends we’ll be tracking at the conference.
SMB Nation: Want to Meet?
Posted October 1st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
If you’re at SMB Nation in Las Vegas, MSPmentor and The VAR Guy will host a Tweetup at the Riviera Hotel’s Sports Book Bar and Grill. Watch our Twitter feeds (@MSPmentor and @TheVARguy) for an invite on Oct. 2. The first 20 people who show up get a round of drinks on us. If you’d prefer to potentially book an editorial meeting at SMB Nation simply email me (joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc.com).
SMB Nation Preview: Five Trends Worth Watching
Posted September 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
If you plan to attend SMB Nation Fall (Oct. 2-4, Las Vegas) and want to potentially meet, send me an email. Also, MSPmentor and The VAR Guy will host a TweetUp on Oct. 2. Watch our Twitter feeds (@MSPmentor and @TheVARguy) Oct. 2 for details. In the meantime, here are five trends to examine at SMB Nation.
Managed SharePoint Services: Can MSPs Cash In?
Posted September 24th, 2009 by John Moore
Fusepoint Managed Services has joined the ranks of companies offering hosting and managed services around Microsoft’s SharePoint collaboration and content management suite. The big question: Is there room for additional MSPs to differentiate their hosted SharePoint offerings?
ZOHO: Blending SaaS And Managed Services
Posted July 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Consider two of the biggest questions facing MSPs: First, how will managed services and SaaS (software as a service) converge with one another? Second, what role will MSPs play in that convergence? Take a look at ZOHO Corp. and you might begin to find some key trends and answers. Here’s why.
Get Started: Visit our new 
