If the early reports are correct, Windows 7 is a dramatic improvement from Windows Vista (perhaps for these five reasons). Even so, I’m surprised Microsoft is doing so little to promote Windows 7 to managed service providers. Here’s what Microsoft is doing wrong — and right — with its MSP messaging so far.
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Windows 7 and Managed Services: Microsoft’s Emerging Strategy
Posted October 22nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference: Managed Services Central?
Posted June 19th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
When Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference kicks off July 13 in New Orleans, I’ll be digging hard from an update on the software giant’s managed services partner strategy. Here’s what I know (or think I know…) so far.
Microsoft: Waking Up to Managed Services?
Posted June 12th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Another sleeping giant is waking up to the managed services opportunity. Microsoft has launched a managed services landing page on its partner web site, and is beginning to connect the dots between managed services, software as a service (SaaS) and the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS).
Windows 7: A New Opportunity for Managed Service Providers?
Posted March 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft plans to ship a Windows 7 release candidate this May, and Mary Jo Foley (the top blogger following Microsoft) suspects the completed Windows 7 will debut in the third calendar quarter of 2009. But I wonder: Will Windows Vista’s successor drive new revenue opportunities for managed service providers? Or are Windows upgrades now ho-hum events for MSPs and VARs alike?
Dell and Microsoft: Partnering On Managed Services?
Posted January 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Short term, Microsoft and Dell are launching joint marketing efforts for corporate IT management solutions. Long term, it’s clear to me that Microsoft — at some point — will make a subtle tweak to its System Center Management solution and begin to target managed service providers.
Why Do Managed Service Providers Keep Looking Back?
Posted October 27th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Why do so many managed service provides spend so much time looking in the rear view mirror? That question popped into my head while moderating a session at the N-able Partner Summit last week.
MSPAlliance, Microsoft Working Together To Promote Managed Services Accreditation
Posted September 24th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPAlliance and Microsoft are working together on a reciprocal relationship, reports Redmond Channel Partner. As part of the relationship, Microsoft will promote the MSPAlliance’s Accreditation exam to channel partners worldwide. Likewise, companies that hold a Microsoft IT certification will receive credit for that expertise if/when they take the MSPAlliance’s Accreditation exam, according to the report.
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