After quietly selling off its VARStreet business in December 2011, Autotask is putting the public spotlight back on its international push. The latest chatter: Autotask says 500 IT channel partner customers in the United Kingdom now use the company’s SaaS and cloud platform. Autotask’s timing and wording is worth noting. Here’s why.
Autotask Proclaims UK Momentum Following VARStreet Exit
ConnectWise Capital Now Has Cloud Services Triple Play
When LabTech Software launched a cloud edition yesterday, it completed a ConnectWise Capital triple play. Indeed, ConnectWise now essentially has at least three cloud services — ConnectWise Cloud, LabTech Cloud and Quosal On Demand — that MSPs can piece together into an extended business management platform. The net result: I think ConnectWise CEO has found a way to further increase ConnectWise’s valuation.
Tigerpaw Offers Software Customers Referral Incentive Program
Tigerpaw Software, the business automation and service management software provider, is calling on its satisfied customers to help take sales viral. To with the company has launched a Tigerpaw Customer Referral Program to give existing customers — typically VARs, MSPs and telco resellers — a little added incentive.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Nov. 18
The MSPmentor team will continue blogging right up until the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S. But in the meantime, here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news tips the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Nov. 18, 2011.
A Closer Look Inside the ConnectWise Capital Family
Now that the IT Nation conference is over, I’ve had some time to think about the continued evolution of ConnectWise and its sister companies — CharTec, LabTech Software and Quosal. I hesitate to say ConnectWise “owns” each of those companies, since I hear investment terms — organized through ConnectWise Capital — are likely different for each company. Also, each ConnectWise Capital investment has a different mission and market focus. So how will the ConnectWise Capital portfolio members evolve in 2012? I’ve got some educated hunches.
LiveTime: IT Service Management Meets Virtual Appliance
LiveTime Software, which develops IT service management solutions, has launched a virtual appliance. LiveTime claims the appliance allows companies to run their own private or public ITSM cloud. Initially, the appliance supports VMware environments, but additional virtualization support is planned.
MSPmentor 250: Brotherton Looks Back & Ahead At ConnectWise
When the IT Nation conference kicks off Nov. 9 in Orlando, dozens of MSPmentor 250 members — managed services experts, entrepreneurs and executives — will be on hand. Among the folks we hope to meet: ConnectWise CTO Linda Brotherton (pictured). MSPmentor recently spoke with Brotherton to gain some high-level thoughts about ConnectWise’s software development strategy. Now, we’re curious to know what’s on tap for 2012.
Tigerpaw User Conference: Second Year, New Moves for MSPs?
Starting today, several hundred VARs, MSPs and telecom resellers are attending this week’s Tigerpaw User Conference in Dallas. The big question: Can this second-annual Tigerpaw conference build upon last year’s event, which pumped some fresh ideas into the managed services and telecom reseller markets?
N-able Adds VMware Support and Google Android Mobile App
N-able Technologies has released N-Central 8.1 — the newest version of its remote monitoring and management (RMM) managed services platform. The new release includes VMware remote monitoring; a mobile application for Google Android; and automatic warranty expiration monitoring. Those three capabilities are becoming increasingly common across the managed services market, as MSPs seek to master complex virtualization and mobile issues, without overlooking basic warranty-driven revenue opportunities.
Autotask Cloud Software In 6 Languages Signals Global Push
Autotask Corp.‘s global strategy is now fully unveiled. After weeks of hints, the business management software provider has confirmed plans to localize Autotask’s cloud platform in at least six languages (in addition to English) across Europe and Asia.
Autotask CEO Reveals 2011 Growth Stat, Business Plan
Autotask‘s new customer acquisitions (January through August 2011) are up 70 percent vs. the same period last year, according to CEO Mark Cattini. During a wide-ranging interview with MSPmentor today, Cattini (pictured) and Senior VP of Global Sales Kevin Donovan described Autotask’s strategy for continued growth. Cattini and Donovan also described their views on building community with MSPs, software partners, distributors and other participants in the Autotask ecosystem.
Servoyant 4.1: Network Management Via the Cloud or Appliance
Servoyant continues to enhance its network monitoring platform for MSPs. The Servoyant system is available via the cloud or as an appliance-based solution. The latest release, called Servoyant 4.1, includes more than 70 enhancements, most notably an updated integration with Autotask APIs for more efficient workflow, new adaptive recievers to generate alerts, an improved automatic provisioning system, and remote monitoring improvements, the company claims.
ConnectWise 2011.3 Includes Customer Portal, PSA Enhancements
ConnectWise has released ConnectWise 2011.3 — the newest version of its professional services automation software. The new release, which includes customer portal and reporting enhancements, also signals ConnectWise’s continued focus on quarterly software updates.
The nanoRep Help Desk and Service Desk Widget: An Update
In early August we spotted nanoRep — a help desk and service desk specialist that promotes an automated service widget. Now, nanoRep CEO Doron Herzlich explains how nanoRep intends to stand out in the crowded service desk market.
NetSuite OpenAir and CommitCRM Make PSA Pitches
The PSA (professional services automation) software market is getting increasingly crowded. Among the latest moves: NetSuite is finally pitching OpenAir — a SaaS-based PSA platform — more aggressively to channel partners. Plus, Commit Business Solutions is making new PSA moves to engage MSPs, IT service providers and computer repair professionals.
Projector PSA: Professional Services Automation for a Different Crowd
Roughly eight years ago, a group of employees at Agency.com were hunting for a professional service automation (PSA) platform to support the digital marketing firm. Agency.com was unable to find the proper PSA solution to meet the company’s needs — so they built their own application.
N-Able: Connecting Dots Between Managed Print and Copiers?
N-Able Technologies is taking steps to help MSPs manage customers’ copier equipment. The effort involves a closer working relationship with International Business Products Inc., a buying group that helps members purchase printers, copiers, accessories supplies and services for the U.S. market.
SOHO Customers: A Real Opportunity for Managed Services?
We all know the benefits of telecommuting. A range of factors — mobile computing, broadband access, corporate downsizing — has fueled the market for home-based corporate offices and home-based businesses. Now here’s the riddle for managed services providers: Are SOHO customers and home-based executives worth your time and effort to engage? Or are they high-maintenance, low-margin audiences whom you should avoid?
That’s A Wrap: Bob Godgart’s Last Day at Autotask
A decade after launching Autotask, former CEO Bob Godgart wrapped up his final day at the company today. Although Godgart remains chairman of the PSA software provider, he no longer has a day-to-day role at Autotask. Here’s the update and some perspectives on Godgart’s legacy in the managed services market.
NetSuite CEO Describes Cloud PSA Strategy Called OpenAir
Generally speaking, the best-run managed services providers use PSA (professional services automation) software. Within the MSP community, the best-known PSA platforms include Autotask, ConnectWise and Tigerpaw Software. But here’s an interesting twist: At the high-end of the market, NetSuite has been pitching OpenAir, a cloud-based PSA system that many large IT consulting firms have adopted. So how does the NetSuite strategy differ from more traditional PSA offerings in the channel? I gathered some thoughts from NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson during the SuiteWorld conference today in San Francisco.
Kaseya Connect User Conference: Six Highlights From Day One
Day Two of the Kaseya Connect User Conference is set to start in about an hour. Roughly 400 to 500 MSPs and technology partners are attending the event here in Las Vegas. There’s been plenty of official managed services news here — including Kaseya’s buyout of Intellipool and a mobile device management demo that wowed attendees. But some of the most interesting managed services chatter occurred in the hallways and during a dinner reception last night. So, here are six observations gathered behind the scenes at the conference.
Kaseya Discloses PSA Integration Strategy for MSPs
Kaseya Executive VP Jim Alves is on stage discussing the company’s PSA (professional services automation) integration strategy today at the Kaseya Connect User Conference in Las Vegas. New, Kaseya-built integrations are coming for ConnectWise, Autotask and Tigerpaw Software, Alves said. He also promised attendees — nearly 500 managed services providers — that they would not get caught in an integration debate between Kaseya and PSA software companies.
Kaseya Rebrands Business Center PSA, Preps Financial Software
Kaseya earlier this week unveiled two new automation tools for managed services providers. But if you dig a little deeper you’ll see how Kaseya is evolving its PSA (professional services automation) strategy and the company’s overall financial software strategy. Here’s the update.