MSPmentor

So, what generated buzz on MSPmentor in 2009? Here’s a look at the individual blog entries that attracted the most readership for Q2 (April – June) 2009…

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If you check in with enough sources close to Google, you start to get the feeling that the search giant is preparing to accelerate an enterprise-oriented SaaS (software as a service) push in Q4 2009 or early 2010. Here’s what apparently is coming — and the potential implications for managed service providers.

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A so-called “free” strategy continues to sweep across the managed services market. But whether you’re an association, a software provider or a managed services provider (MSP), “free” is a tricky strategy to manage — especially as you try to convert free clientele into paying customers. Here’s a look at the trend.

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MSPAlliance President Charles Weaver (pictured) has offered up his thoughts regarding CompTIA’s acquisition of MSP Partners (the deal was announced earlier today). Here’s a recap of Weaver’s perspectives, plus my two cents.

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As much of the IT channel prepares to converge at CompTIA Breakaway (Aug. 3-6, Las Vegas), I’m keeping one eye on CompTIA’s Managed IT Services Summit, planned for October in Southern California. The reason: The event will be presented in partnership with MSP Partners — a clear indication that CompTIA and MSP Partners are serious about face-to-face conferences. Here’s some analysis.

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Now that we’ve reached the mid-point of 2009, let’s take a moment to review the 10 MSPmentor blog entries you read most during the first half of 2009.

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I can’t really say that I look forward to transition periods. Activities like searching for a new job, taking on a new role at work, or moving to a new place of residence equal long hours and (often) sleepless nights. But there’s also something I like about transition, something fascinating: I can control the outcome of the activity. I can choose a new job. I can create structure and processes in a new role at work. And I can paint walls, install flooring, and make numerous renovations in a new home.

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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).

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“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”  Variations of this quotation have been attributed to Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford and other revolutionaries in our history. I’m not sure if anyone really knows who coined the phrase…but I don’t think anyone would contest its truthfulness. Planning and success go together like PB&J. And although we are fairly comfortable in planning our business meetings, sales pitches and supporting data I’m willing to bet that most managed service providers do not sit down and plan a marketing strategy.

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MSP Partners is set to debut MSP Pro — an online exam that allows managed service providers to “demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Managed Services Best Practices,” according to a press release that will hit the wires May 26.

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Question: When do you know a technology industry is starting to grow up? Answer: The technology vendors themselves begin to offer vendor-neutral business education. The latest case in point involves N-able, which has launched online training tools called Business e-Training Essentials. Here’s a bit more about N-able’s move based on a phone chat with CEO Gavin Garbutt (pictured), and the broader MSP education market.

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A quick observation: Larger, more successful managed service providers continue to embrace SAS 70 II (Statement of Auditing Standards No. 70), an American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) standard for auditing service organizations. The latest example involves FusionStorm, an MSPmentor 100 company that says it has completed SAS 70 Type II certification.

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This just in: The MSPAlliance plans to offer SAS 70 audits for its members — a smart move considering the growing list of managed service providers, Web hosts and data center providers that are expressing interest in SAS 70. But the MSPAlliance isn’t the only association expanding its accreditation and certification efforts. The grapevine says CompTIA and MSP Partners continue to prepare a managed services accreditation program that could be announced within hours or days.

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The recession is triggering some rather wild IT service strategies. Consider the situation at Cincinnati Bell. The service provider has launched a “Price for Life” program that gives customers a permanent monthly rate for several bundled services. Plus, there’s no contract requirement. It sounds to me like an act of desperation by a telcommunications company trying to retain residential customers. But I wonder: Would managed service providers be crazy enough to make similar guarantees?

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Despite the falling economy, business is looking up for top managed service providers. Indeed, top MSPs are generating better margins and more revenue per customer than ever according to the latest MSP Partners/Institute for Partner Education and Development (IPED) research into the state of the managed services market. Check out these highlights.

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CompTIA (the Computing Technology Industry Association), with an assist from Service Leadership Inc., is launching a “best-in-class” index to help managed service providers discover and embrace best practices for success. The index is part of a broader Managed IT Services push at CompTIA, one of several organizations seeking to transform good MSPs into great MSPs.

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I had a quick call with Jim Hamilton, executive director of MSP Partners, on Wednesday night. He told me a bit about the organization’s new 2009 education program for managed service providers. Here are some details.

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I have a neighbor who really gets into Christmas.  His house is covered with lights and ornaments.  The combination of bright lights and shiny objects captures lots of attention, even prompting a local TV crew to broadcast in front of his house.

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I’m in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada today visiting a few companies that specialize in managed services software. As you may know, Ottawa is a hotbed of managed services activity. Level Platforms, MSP Partners, N-able and The Utility Company are all headquartered here. (If you’re based in Ottawa and have an MSP focus, let me know and I’ll add you to our radar.)

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Here are some media headlines I’ve come across recently:

• “Markets Plummet”
• “Enough Already!”
• and my personal favorite, “Ouch!”

Given all the bad economic news, you would think that managed service providers are cowering in a corner these days.  While there is certainly lots of economic pain to go around, I’ve had discussions over the last few weeks with MSPs who are paradoxically optimistic about the future of their business in this difficult economic climate.  So what’s behind all this optimism?  Here are a few of my gleaned insights from those in the trenches:

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The evil-hearted Mr. Burns of Simpson’s fame once quipped “One dollar for eternal happiness? I’d be happier with the dollar.”

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Everon Technology Services LLC, one of our MSPmentor 100 companies, has launched MSP Coach. According to a teaser for the site, Everon has “taken everything we’ve learned and begun creating courses, content, and tools that you can use to help build your MSP business.”

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I spent some time with Erick Simpson, VP and CIO of MSP University, during the Kaseya User Conference in Las Vegas last month. Even before we met, I knew Erick had written some best-selling books on managed services. But I wanted to learn a bit more about where MSP University had been … and where it’s going.

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