MSPmentor

There’s money in managed print services. How do I know? First, Photizo Group started organizing managed print services conferences — and the buzz tied to the events has been pretty positive. More recently, CompTIA organized a community for managed print services. The big question: Can Photizo Group, CompTIA and print manufacturers help to turn the sleepy managed print services industry into a big money maker for MSPs? Here are some perspectives.

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In the Australia managed services market, anecdotal evidence suggests first mover advantage is over — especially as MSP software vendors begin to turn their attention to larger growth opportunities in Asia. Yes, the Australia managed services market continues to grow, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions. But recent moves by Kaseya and Level Platforms, among others, suggest the biggest managed services opportunities ahead are in Asia. Here’s why.

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Generally speaking, LabTech Software is an on-premise RMM (remote monitoring and management) tool. But that’s gradually changing thanks to partners like The IT Answer, which has launched LabtechCloud.com. More SaaS-centric partnerships from LabTech could be coming. But it’s important to note: LabTech and partners like LabtechCloud are essentially in catch-up mode, since most of the major RMM providers already offer hosted and SaaS versions of their software. Here’s the update.

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When PlumChoice announced it had acquired Everon Technology Services, a well-known MSP, I had plenty of questions. So I went looking for answers — and I spoke directly with Everon President Michael Cooch. In this FastChat video, Cooch describes why Everon sold to PlumChoice, potential long-term synergies, and exit strategy tips for MSPs that looking for potential buyers. Here’s the video.

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Call it the latest shot in the emerging MSP software wars. Autotask — in an apparent bid to counter ConnectWise, LabTech Software and maybe even Kaseya — has reached out to several RMM (remote monitoring and management) software companies with a free Autotask Go offer. Level Platforms and PacketTrap embraced the offer, but not all RMM players are joining the Autotask Go freemium effort. Here’s the update … plus the potential implications for VARs and MSPs.

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At the ConnectWise IT Nation conference in Orlando, CEO Arnie Bellini outlined a vision to help MSPs, VARs and IT service providers succeed as cloud computing hype grows. Bellini’s key points focused on defending your business from major SaaS and cloud companies that plan to sell direct to SMBs. Plus, Bellini described how solutions providers can build closer SMB customer relationships that generate new revenue opportunities. Here are 15 highlights from the keynote — including key thoughts on coopetition (cooperating and competing) in the MSP software market.

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Kaseya, which specializes in IT systems management software, has acquired ObjAcct Inc., a developer of XML-based accounting software. The deal, expected to be announced November 4, could arm MSPs and corporate IT managers with an emerging type of financial management software. Here’s the scoop.

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Anecdotal evidence suggests the managed services market remains healthy. But for the second time in 12 months, I believe MSPs are reaching a major inflection point. There’s no cause for panic. But the rules for managed services seem to be changing — yet again. Here’s why.

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MSPmentor spent most of this day mingling with managed services providers at the N-able Partner Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. Much of the chatter involved opportunities and challenges that weren’t on the radar at last year’s N-able Partner Summit. So, what’s the chatter? Here are six managed services trends worth watching,

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Another micro meeting for MSPs it set to take place next month at the ConnectWise IT Nation conference in Orlando, Fla. Specifically, TruMethods — the consulting firm that assists MSPs with sales development — plans to host a members-only event for roughly 40 MSPs on November 4. Here are the details, plus a broader look at how ConnectWise IT Nation is shaping up.

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Here’s an ironic twist: Labtech Software, the remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform provider, has embraced AVG’s anti-virus offerings. The move comes several months after Labtech rival Kaseya differentiated beyond AVG to promote Kaspersky Lab’s anti-virus. Here’s the update on how anti-virus companies are trying to work more closely with MSPs and RMM software providers.

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The managed services gold rush has created a cottage industry of consultants and organizations that are assisting MSPs with marketing, sales, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic business tasks. Three recent examples include MSPexcellence, MSPXchange and Ulistic’s MSP Marketing initiative. Here’s a closer look at each organization and its backers, plus a broader update on the coaches and pundits assisting MSPs with their business efforts.

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Amicus ITS, a European-based managed services provider, is building a partner network across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Southampton-based  company expects the international network to generate £10 million in first year revenues. Here’s a closer look at the strategy, which includes a close working relationship with N-able.

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When CA Technologies and N-able announced a partnership earlier today, it begged a natural question: Does CA’s N-able relationship somehow compete or conflict with CA’s own Nimsoft business? After all, both Nimsoft and N-able offer remote monitoring and management (RM) software for MSPs. Here’s some perspective from Nimsoft CEO Gary Read (pictured).

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N-able continues to bang the drum for freemium software to grow the managed services market. The latest example involves a freemium remote backup software offer involving N-able and CA Technologies. The move also proves that CA, owner of Nimsoft, continues to work with a range of MSP software providers rather than purely Nimsoft. Here are the potential implications for MSPs.

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ManageEngine, a division of ZOHO Corp., has launched MSP Center Lite, an agent-based remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform for managed services providers. The interesting twist: MSP Center Lite is free for MSPs that want to manage up to 25 devices. Beyond that, the software starts at $545 per year for 50 managed devices. Here’s a closer look at ManageEngine’s strategy plus the MSP freemium trend.

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For the first time in a long time, I suspect the entire Nine Lives Media Inc. team plans to unplug for a 3-day weekend. Of course, we’ll be back online if there’s any breaking news. In the meantime, here are seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor’s team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Sept. 3, 2010.

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Vertical market chatter is growing louder in the managed services market. A week after Autotask CEO Bob Godgart shared some vertical market strategies for MSPs, N-able has announced a deeper push into the education, finance and healthcare sectors. I’ve spent plenty of time blogging about finance and healthcare. But how can MSPs push into the higher education market? N-able reminded me of a very simple answer…

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GroundWork Open Source is the latest IT monitoring and network management software company to reach out to managed services providers (MSPs). Specifically, GroundWork has launched an MSP-centric web site plus software pricing designed for MSPs. The big question: Does the crowded RMM (remote monitoring and management) software market have room for more players? Here are some observations.

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Microsoft continues to bang the drum — quietly but steadily — for Windows Intune, a forthcoming remote management platform for Windows PCs and servers. Several MSPs say Microsoft demonstrated a Windows Intune beta during the recent Xchange conference in Dallas. Were MSPs impressed? Here are some thoughts, plus MSPmentor’s perspectives.

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Kaseya has pulled back the curtain a bit more on its PSA (professional services automation) strategy. In a 17-page PDF prepared for IT service providers, Kaseya outlines its 2010-2011 road map. Dig into the report, and you’ll find some preliminary information about the Kaseya Business Center PSA effort. Here are the early details along with some guesses about how the MSP software market may evolve.

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Rewind to the Hewlett-Packard Americas Partner Conference in April 2010. At the conference, 6fusion CEO John Cowan was quietly meeting with a range of HP partners to discuss his company’s cloud computing strategy. Also at the event, Cowan dropped some hints that 6fusion was about to raise more money and relocate its headquarters. Both of those moves were finally confirmed today. Here are the details.

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Rob Bissett (pictured), director of product management at N-able Technologies, is making the leap into the cloud. He’s set to join 6fusion International, a cloud services provider that works with a range of data center providers across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Here are some quick details about Bissett’s move to 6fusion.

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