MSPmentor

And so it begins: Dell has started promoting MessageOne as a cost-effective managed service for corporate email. But it’s unclear how, when or if managed service providers (MSPs) will be able to join Dell’s MessageOne party. Read More >

Welcome to MSPmentor Live: Podcast edition. In this episode, I interview Dell’s Greg Davis, VP and GM, Americas Channel Program, about a range of issues (PartnerDirect, managed services, acquisitions, and plenty more). Tune in now… Read More >

 

 MSPmentor Live: Podcast Featuring Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis [16:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (289)

Dell on May 1 is set to host a webinar for its certified managed service provider partners. The company is working overtime to brief press (including MSPmentor) about the webinar.

I will certainly welcome the briefing. I beat up Dell a bit on April 25 for issuing a press release in which the company described how end-customers will benefit from managed services. Unfortunately, the release made no mention of Dell’s MSP partners.

This time around, I expect Dell to communicate much more clearly. Here’s what to expect from the company on May 1. Read More >

When it comes to Dell’s partner communications, subtle statements — and non-statements — count for a lot. On the one hand, Dell has worked overtime to tell VARs and managed service providers how to participate in the company’s growing partner program. Kudos. But on the other hand, Dell is potentially sabotaging its own partner program with some of its software as a service (SaaS) press materials.

A prime example: Check out the press release announcing Dell has completed its $155 million buyout of MessageOne, a SaaS specialist. It plays up the small business managed services/SaaS angle (smart) but makes zero mention of Dell’s partners (not smart). Here’s the deal.

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At a time when some managed service providers are worried about Dell, Microsoft and Google moving onto their turf, Cisco Systems is taking a stand and offering assurances to MSPs.

During a phone chat with MSPmentor, Al Safarikas (pictured), Cisco’s senior director of service provider managed services, said Cisco remains true to its word and has no plans to become a service provider.

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Dell is among the companies attending next week’s managed services conference in Atlanta. But I’ll get a jump on some of that Dell discussion by visiting the PC giant on March 28.

I’ll be meeting with Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis, and hope to get an update on the company’s overall managed services strategy. Several readers have asked me to drill down with Davis on how Silverback and Everdream (two of Dell’s 2007 acquisitions) may evolve into an integrated solution for MSPs.

If you have more questions for Davis, I’m all ears. Post them here or send them to joe [at] ninelivesmediainc.com.

Windows Vista has sold more than 100 million licenses as of January 2008, but the operating system hasn’t exactly been a hit in business environments — where many companies are holding strong to Windows XP, and some firms are exploring Windows alternatives.

But an announcement from Dell could signal a potential turning point for Vista. The PC giant has announced a Client Migration Solution that aims to accelerate and simplify migrations to Vista. The services are designed for companies moving 2,500 or more PCs to Vista.

Dell’s announcement made no mention of Silverback Technologies and other managed services tools that the company has acquired over the past year. However, Silverback partners should watch Dell’s Vista strategy closely. Here’s why.

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Circle the date: Dell is inviting partners and MSPs to participate in a major channel briefing on December 5. During the teleconference, Greg Davis, VP and GM of Dell’s Americas Channel Group, will discuss Dell’s long-term vision for working with partners, and he’ll announce Dell’s latest channel plans. The call runs 1:15 to 2:15pm eastern. You can join in by visiting here. Read More >