Here’s another blog entry that’s been spinning around my head for several weeks. It goes something like this: There’s no longer a first-mover advantage in the managed services market. The original theme — proactive, remote monitoring for a predictable monthly fee — is old news. So what’s next?
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Managed Services: First Mover Advantage Is Over
Posted December 14th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Managed Print Services: Finding the Money
Posted December 11th, 2009 by Dave Courbanou
As a former help-desk technician, I have some strong opinions about managed print services (MPS). Channel chatter about the MPS market is growing louder. More MPS conferences are planned, more research is surfacing and our third-annual MSPmentor 100 survey reveals some interesting MPS trends. So where is managed print heading next? Here are some clues.
Staples Network Services: Not Another Geek Squad
Posted December 2nd, 2009 by Matthew Weinberger
First things first: Yes, Staples — the office supply store with red storefronts and the easy button — operates a managed services business. Instead of countering Best Buy’s Geek Squad, Staples Network Services provides outsourced IT solutions to SMBs with between 10 and 250 employees. I spoke to Jim Lippie, president of Staples Network Services, about the history of the company and the future of managed services, among other things. Here are some perspectives.
Media Companies Reach Out to MSPs
Posted November 25th, 2009 by John Moore
As magazines move beyond running print articles on online, they’re asking managed service providers to help run increasingly sophisticated Web sites. That’s the experience of The New York Internet Company Inc., which this week announced Web management deal with US Magazine.
MSP Services Network: Partnering On Multiple Fronts
Posted November 5th, 2009 by Matthew Weinberger
As the ConnectWise Partner Summit kicks off in Orlando, Fla., MSP Services Network (MSPSN) is touting recent integration with the ConnectWise platform. But instead of betting her business on one relationship, MSPSN CEO Amy Luby is developing partnerships and relationships with a range of software providers and associations. Here’s an update on MSPSN’s strategy.
Zetta Cloud Storage Goes Live
Posted October 21st, 2009 by Matthew Weinberger
Zetta, an enterprise-level cloud storage service available to managed service providers and VARs, finally leaves a long closed beta phase and becomes available to the channel at large today. Sure, online storage is an increasingly crowded market, but Zetta claims to have licked a few challenges that plague their peers. Here’s how.
MSPs Not Falling for Apple — Yet
Posted October 14th, 2009 by Dave Courbanou
As Apple marches forward in the consumer market, we decided to check in with MSPs to see if they’re increasingly specializing in Apple products and/or Apple-related services. So far, major MSP and VAR peer groups — like HTG Peer Groups — say they aren’t seeing an uptick in demand for Apple-oriented solutions. But if you look hard enough there is a small Apple MSP niche. Here’s some perspective.
MSPs: Is Drupal Right for Your Site?
Posted October 13th, 2009 by Matthew Weinberger
Drupal is catching on as a platform for building Web sites that have social networking capabilities. And since it’s a free and open source content management system, Drupal can be easy on your wallet when launching a Web site. But the big question: Is Drupal really an option for managed service providers that want to overhaul their own web sites?
MSP Apps Increasingly Dial the iPhone
Posted October 12th, 2009 by Matthew Weinberger
RIM’s Blackberry remains the phone of choice for many corporate executives, but the iPhone’s App Store and Safari web browser make it worth a second look for business. And increasingly, MSPs are finding they can’t ignore the iPhone.
New MSPs: Do You Want SaaS or On-premise?
Posted August 21st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Let’s pretend you’re launching a managed services business from scratch. You have no legacy infrastructure. You’re able to choose the PSA (professional services automation) and RMM (remote monitoring and management) tools that best fit your vision. Now, my question: Would those PSA and RMM tools live on premise (in your business) or would they be SaaS/hosted?
Top MSP Heads to Legal Conference
Posted August 17th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The latest evidence that managed service providers are going vertical: MindSHIFT, ranked No. 1 in our most recent MSPmentor 100 report, will descend on the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) 2009 Conference, August 23 near Washington, D.C. Here’s why.
MSP Lands on Inc. 500 List of Top Small Businesses
Posted August 14th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I’d like to offer Five Nines — a managed service provider in Lincoln, Neb. — two rounds of applause. First, for ranking No. 394 on Inc. magazine’s annual list of the fastest-growing U.S. companies. And second, for being smart enough to participate in the Inc. 500 survey and then promoting the honor to media. This is a timely reminder that media surveys can shine a big spotlight on your business. Here’s how.
Webcast: Six Ways to Find (And Win) New Business
Posted August 4th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Our next MSPmentor Live: webcast is Aug. 19 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. During the discussion, we’ll cover six ways managed service providers (MSPs) and solutions providers can find and win new business. The format will be interactive. We’ll spend roughly 10 minutes on each business and sales tip.
Managed Services: Serious Fun
Posted July 8th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Take a tour of Computer Service Partners’ network operation center (pictured), and you’ll find all the key tools you need to remotely manage and troubleshoot customer networks. Plus, a putting green. Yes… a putting green. It’s part of Computer Service Partners’ effort to recruit and retain hard-working, talented employees. Here’s the story.
My First Case of Writer’s Block
Posted April 16th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Welcome to my 939th blog entry on MSPmentor. Strangely, I must concede — this is the first time I’ve suffered from real writer’s block. I spent so much time and energy focused on the managed services accreditation “debate,” that I’m sort of drained. Still, a lot of people ask me “how do you come up with your blog ideas for MSPmentor?” Here are five answers, which may help aspiring bloggers find their own rhythm and voice.
The Smartest Investment MSPs Can Make In 2009
Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I admit it: I still read Money magazine and Smart Money because I like the basic investment advice they offer (or perhaps I enjoy reading about everyone’s shared pain). Even as the stock market continues to decline, I’m not ready to completely quit on Wall Street. Still, I’m starting to realize there’s a far smarter place for a small business owner like me to invest my money.
MSP Partners Launches Master Membership Level
Posted February 5th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
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.
MSPs Beating Their Own Expectations for January?
Posted January 26th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Despite the pathetic economy, the vast majority of managed service providers say their businesses are performing as well as or better than they originally expected for January, according to MSPmentor’s reader poll for the week ended Jan. 23.
N-able Introduces Remote Tool for the Channel Masses
Posted January 22nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Let’s face it: Some resellers and VARs (value-added resellers) are never (repeat: NEVER) going to make a complete move to managed services and a recurring revenue model. Still, N-able wants to give those traditional solutions providers a taste of remote management with a new tool and hosted service called N-supportPro. Here are some early details.
Save the Date: February 11
Posted January 22nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Whether you’re a successful managed service provider or an aspiring MSP, circle February 11 on your calendar. We’ve got something special planned that day for the managed services industry. More details coming soon. Real soon.
What Happens When An MSP Goes Dark?
Posted December 29th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
When a managed service provider stumbles, you can bet plenty of rivals will swoop in and try to steal the MSP’s customer base.
Managed Service Providers: Still Optimistic About 2009
Posted December 11th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Despite the recession, the vast majority of managed service providers expect their recurring revenue to rise dramatically in 2009, according to a real-time poll conducted during today’s MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange Webcast.
Managed Services: Software Companies Turn to India
Posted December 11th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
During a two-week road trip across North America, multiple managed service providers and software companies told me they are holding up relatively well during the recession. However, many of the sources told me they will be pleased to show “slight” growth in December 2008 vs. December 2007. Those same sources were expecting strong December growth only a few months ago.
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