The Utility Company Attracts $1 Million In Funding

Call it a small step for the managed services market, but a significant move for the Utility Company. The Master MSP, which works with a range of managed services providers, has attracted $1 million in financing, led by BDC Capital Inc. The Utility Company plans to use the money for a mid-market push, among other things. Here are the details.

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Seven Managed Services Blogs We Didn’t Write: Feb. 5

mspmentor seven blogsForgive me for being distracted (again). Our team is busy polishing and posting the MSPmentor 100 report onto a hidden section of our website. The complete report debuts Feb. 10, shortly after a webcast on the topic. In the meantime, here are seven managed services blog entries our team didn’t have the time to write for the week ending Feb. 5, 2010.

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Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Write: Dec. 31

Site upgrades. Software debugging. Santa. It’s been an intense week of fun and play at MSPmentor. Here’s a look at the seven managed services blog entries we didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Dec. 31, 2009:

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Seven Managed Services Blog Entries I Didn’t Have Time to Write: Sept. 25

Another week of travel is over. Amy Katz (my business partner) and I spent much of the week in Boston at meetings. Great conversations. But my inbox is filled with news tips and chatter that I haven’t had a chance to cover yet. So, here are the seven managed services blog entries I didn’t have time to write for the week ending Sept. 25.

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Managed Print Services: 7 Out of 10 MSPs Showing Interest

managed print services 2Nearly 40 percent of managed service providers already offer some form of managed print services, with an additional 34 percent of MSPs formulating managed print strategies now, according to MSPmentor’s weekly reader poll. Here’s a look at the stats.

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Managed Print Services: Six Signs of Growth

Managed Print Services: Six Signs of GrowthAfter several false starts, the managed print services (MPS) market seems to be reaching a tipping point. Skeptical? Consider these six signs of momentum from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Ingram Micro, Photizo Group, The Utility Company and Xerox.

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Managed Services Franchise Continues Growth

The franchise model continues to show momentum in certain sectors of the managed services market. TeamLogic IT, which blends managed services with a nationwide network of IT franchises, has landed on Franchise Times’ list of Fast 55 companies. TeamLogic IT isn’t alone in the MSP franchise market.

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MSP and SAS 70 Certifications Gain Momentum

What’s the difference between managed services accreditation and certification? The former is for companies, the latter is for individuals — and soon the MSPAlliance will offer both options for managed service providers. Meanwhile, numerous data center providers are completing SAS 70 audits as well.

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MSP Franchises: 8 Secrets to Success

As businesses like The Utility Company continue to promote managed services franchises, I noticed these eight tips to franchise success from Entrepreneur.com. The article, written for all types of business owners (not just MSPs), helps you to determine if you’d thrive within the franchise business model. Frankly, I’m not sure I’m franchise material. Here’s why.

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The Utility Company: Entrepreneur Magazine Recognizes MSP Franchise Model

Mark Scott The Utility Company CEO The Utility Company, launched in 2006 by former N-able CEO Mark Scott (pictured), has landed in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 edition. The news solidifies The Utility Company’s strategy to build a network of managed services franchises across North America.

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Managed Services Franchises Explained

Managed Services FranchiseHow does a managed services franchise work? I posed that question to Jason Creally, VP of sales at The Utility Company, during a late-afternoon meeting on December 9. Creally walked me and Amy Katz (my business partner) through The Utility Company’s business model — which extends managed services out to more than 60 IT service provider franchisees across North America.

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Ottawa, Canada: Managed Services Central?

I’m in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada today visiting a few companies that specialize in managed services software. As you may know, Ottawa is a hotbed of managed services activity. Level Platforms, MSP Partners, N-able and The Utility Company are all headquartered here. (If you’re based in Ottawa and have an MSP focus, let me know and I’ll add you to our radar.)

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The Utility Company Franchisees Gain Some MSPAlliance Member Benefits

The MSPAlliance and The Utility Company, which specializes in managed services franchises, have inked a partnership. The agreement extends certain MSPAlliance benefits to Utility Service Provider franchisees.

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Update: NetEnrich, Level Platforms Reinforce the Master MSP Model

Do IT Smarter is doing it. Ingram Micro Seismic is doing it. The Utility Company is doing it. And now NetEnrich is doing it. I’m referring to the increasingly popular “Master MSP” business model, where VARs leverage software as a service (SaaS), and a third-party partner hosts and coordinates the VAR’s managed services platforms.

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The Utility Company: Plugging In MSP Franchises

Mark ScottWhen the history of managed services is written, Mark Scott may earn two prominent mentions.

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