A quiet race to recruit managed service providers into associations and user groups continues. The latest example: CompTIA MSP Partners has announced a relationship with PartnerConduit Network, an online community that helps solutions providers to manage collaborative opportunities. Here’s a look at the relationship. Plus, a broader look at the effort to find and recruit MSPs into associations, organizations and user groups.
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Where Are Tomorrow’s MSPs Hiding?
Posted March 18th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
MSP Software Buyouts: Will Microsoft Follow CA’s Lead?
Posted March 11th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
It’s finally starting to happen: mid-size to large software companies are starting to acquire small (but fast-growing) MSP software providers. So far, the buyers include CA Inc., Citrix Systems and Quest Software. The big question: When will the really big IT titans — Microsoft, Cisco Systems, HP and others — open their wallets and get into the managed services software game? Here are some educated guesses.
MSPWorld 2010 Lands At ITEXPO West
Posted March 9th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
MSPWorld, the MSPAlliance’s conference for managed services providers, will be co-located this year at ITExpo West 2010, scheduled for Oct. 4-6 in Los Angeles. The move potentially opens up MSPWorld to a broader audience of Internet Telephony experts, but MSPWorld will also need to compete with roughly six other conferences that will be co-located at ITExpo. Here are the details.
MSP M&As: Serenity Systems Makes Acquisition
Posted February 22nd, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Every time I blink there seems to be another merger or acquisition in the managed services market. The latest deal involves Serenity Systems Inc., a Houston-based IT managed services provider, acquiring “certain assets” of Kommar Solutions to help increase its customer base. I expect at least two more MSP-related acquisitions to onfold this week. In the meantime, the Serenity deal has an interesting twist. It involves advice and financial guidance from Ephor Group LLC. Here are some perspectives.
Another Day, Another MSP Merger
Posted February 16th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Blink an eye and you may miss the latest managed services merger and acquisition news. This one involves Waypoint Solutions Group and Carolina Computer Network Solutions merging their businesses. And more deals are coming. Here’s an update.
Florida State: More Taxes for MSPs?
Posted February 4th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Sometimes I jump to the wrong conclusions. A few weeks ago, when the MSPAlliance said there was a potentially “urgent” tax issue facing Florida managed services providers, I dismissed the report because sometimes I think the alliance cries wolf. But to the MSPAlliance’s credit, there’s now a healthy, growing discussion around MSP taxation in certain states. Here’s the update.
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Write: Jan. 29
Posted January 29th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
We didn’t exactly race across the finish line this week. A range of deadlines consumed our team’s collective bandwidth. Lots of blogs didn’t get written. Here are seven managed services blog entries the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Jan. 29, 2010.
MSPs: Looking for an Angel Investor?
Posted January 12th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
If only you had more time — or more cash — to build your business in 2010. Sure, you can reach out to a credit union or local bank for a line of credit. But I’m starting to hear from managed service providers (MSPs) who are mulling another path: Finding an angel investor. Smart move?
Top 10 Managed Services Blog Entries, Q2 2009
Posted December 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
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…
Seven Managed Services Blogs We Didn’t Write: Dec. 11
Posted December 11th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
I’m seated in Starbucks, waiting for a train from Manhattan to Long Island. Another day of channel chief and MSP meetings is nearly over. Plenty of news to share next week. In the meantime, here are seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor didn’t have time to write for the week ending Dec. 11.
HEIT Still Banking on Managed Services
Posted November 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Imagine focusing your business on the financial services vertical during the global economic crisis. Somehow, HEIT — an MSPmentor 100 company — did exactly. And the results have been impressive. HEIT’s latest move includes a close relationship with Plumas Bank of California. Here’s a look at the strategy, including thoughts from CEO Dan Holt (pictured).
Free: The New MSP Strategy?
Posted October 22nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
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.
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries I Didn’t Have Time to Write
Posted September 18th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Another business week is nearly done. Plus, I’m heading out a little early today to attend Atlanta LinuxFest this weekend. So, here are the seven managed services blog entries I didn’t have time to write for the week ending Sept. 18.
CompTIA, MSP Services Network Launch Regional Events
Posted August 25th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
MSP Services Network (MSPSN), an Omaha-based Master MSP that also promotes industry collaboration, is partnering with CompTIA to develop content for three regional managed services workshops. The effort emphasizes business and financial education rather than technology talk. Here’s a look at the MSPSN-CompTIA relationship, plus a broader look at conferences and educational efforts across the managed services industry.
CompTIA, MSP Partners Unite Efforts on Managed IT Services Summit
Posted July 31st, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
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.
Most Read Managed Services Stories, First Half 2009
Posted July 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
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.
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).
MSP Partners Launches Managed Services Exam
Posted May 26th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
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.
Five Trends At Managed Services Conferences
Posted April 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
It’s a busy few days for managed services conferences: MSPWorld (April 30-May 1, Orlando), SMB Nation Spring (May 1-3, New Jersey) and the Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference (May 4-6, Dallas) are all on my radar. Here are five key managed services topics/trends I expect to emerge from the conferences.
How Many MSPs Need SAS Type II Certification?
Posted April 30th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Larger managed service providers and hosting providers continue to bang the drum for SAS 70 Type II, a standard for auditing service organizations. But I wonder: How many MSPs want — and need — to jump on the SAS 70 bandwagon? Here are some thoughts.
Preview: Ingram Micro Seismic Partner Conference, Part I
Posted April 28th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
More than 275 managed service providers are expected to attend the Ingram Micro Seismic partner conference, May 4 to 6 in Dallas. And at least four pieces of news will surface at the event, including two new Seismic partnerships plus two new business management tools. Here’s the early word on Ingram’s latest Seismic moves, and their implications for the managed services market.
Kaseya Connect 2009 User Conference: Sold Out
Posted April 24th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Despite the recession, managed services conferences hosted by vendors seem to be maintaining their momentum. The latest case in point: The upcoming Kaseya Connect user conference — which typically attracts more than 250 MSPs and corporate IT managers — is sold out for 2009, according to Kevin McGuirk, executive VP of corporate marketing for Kaseya.
N-able, Peers Bolster Managed Services Business Education
Posted April 22nd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
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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