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.
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Autotask Proclaims UK Momentum Following VARStreet Exit
Posted February 8th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
ConnectWise Capital Now Has Cloud Services Triple Play
Posted January 24th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
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.
Shockey Monkey 2.0: Free PSA Alternative, With A Twist
Posted January 12th, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
Shockey Monkey 2.0 — also dubbed Shockey Monkey Reloaded — debuted this week. It’s a free PSA (professional services automation) software platform for managed services providers and their end-customers. The man behind Shockey Monkey is Vlad Mazek — the executive who also built the ExchangeDefender business. So what makes Shockey Monkey unique in a fiercely competitive software market segment? Mazek offered some insights.
Microsoft Dynamics and MSPs: A Real or Imagined Business Combo?
Posted December 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
On the one hand, sales of Microsoft Dynamics — CRM, ERP and accounting applications — continue to rise swiftly. On the other hand, more and more MSPs continue to adopt PSA (professional services automation) software. So could Microsoft Dynamics and PSA software be on a collision course within the managed services provider community? Perhaps yes.
Autotask Raises $6 Million for Global Expansion
Posted December 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Autotask has raised $6 million in venture capital and private equity to fund global expansion, a spokesman has confirmed. Also, a report from Albany, N.Y., quoted Autotask CFO Vince Zumbo (pictured), about the new financing. Even before the funding arrived, Autotask apparently spent $1 million on its European expansion this year, the report stated. Here are some perspectives for Autotask’s community of managed services providers and VARs.
Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Nov. 18
Posted November 18th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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
Posted November 18th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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.
MSPmentor 250: Brotherton Looks Back & Ahead At ConnectWise
Posted November 2nd, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
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 Preps Convergence Community, Cloud PSA Platform
Posted October 24th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
Tigerpaw Software, which develops on-premise PSA (professional services automation) software, is preparing to launch a convergence community in November, and cloud software platform sometime thereafter. The convergence community will be designed to help voice partners move into the data space. Tigerpaw President James Foxall (pictured) mentioned the forthcoming developments when we met last week at the 2011 Tigerpaw User Conference.
Tigerpaw User Conference: Second Year, New Moves for MSPs?
Posted October 19th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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?
Autotask Cloud Software In 6 Languages Signals Global Push
Posted September 20th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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
Posted September 16th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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.
ConnectWise 2011.3 Includes Customer Portal, PSA Enhancements
Posted August 22nd, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
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.
NetSuite OpenAir and CommitCRM Make PSA Pitches
Posted August 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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
Posted July 28th, 2011 by Nicholas Mukhar
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.
That’s A Wrap: Bob Godgart’s Last Day at Autotask
Posted May 31st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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
Posted May 10th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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
Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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
Posted May 3rd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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
Posted April 20th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
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.
Kaseya Financial Software Strategy Comes Into Focus for MSPs
Posted April 20th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Kaseya continues to push beyond its traditional remote monitoring and IT automation software market. By leveraging two acquisitions plus home-grown code, Kaseya may eventually blur the line between RMM (remote monitoring and management) and certain PSA (professional services automation) software capabilities. Just this week, Kaseya has launched two new modules — Service Billing 1.0 and Service Desk 1.3 — to help MSPs manage billable time against open tickets and work orders, while also automating billing processes. But I suspect Kaeya’s financial software strategy won’t end there. Here’s why.
Autotask, CentraStage Partner Up on Managed Services
Posted April 18th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
There’s a growing relationship between Autotask and CentraStage, a UK-based provider of remote monitoring software in the cloud. The partnership could allow Autotask to accelerate its PSA (professional services automation) business in Europe, while assisting CentraStage’s potential RMM growth in North America. For starters, CentraStage’s cloud-based software now integrates with Autotask, and CentraStage ComStore — a new online marketplace — will now promote Autotask to site visitors. It’s safe to expect more details about the Autotask-CentraStage integrations during the Autotask Community Live conference in May. Here are some preliminary details in the meantime.
Seven Managed Services Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write: April 15
Posted April 15th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
I’m in catch-up mode, sorting through my inbox after another week on the road. Thanks to those who sent across news tips. We’ll give them all a closer look — including these seven managed services blog entries the MSPmentor team didn’t have time to write for the week April 15, 2011.
