It’s time to shift our managed services coverage back into overdrive. The New Year holiday is over. MSPs are getting back to work. But before you check in with your customers, here are seven managed services blogs and MSP news tips that MSPmentor didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending December 30, 2011.
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Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Dec. 30
Posted January 2nd, 2012 by Joe Panettieri
Mergers and Acquisitions: Redefining Business as Usual
Posted August 31st, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
In some ways, Penton Media’s buyout of Nine Lives Media and its brands reminds me of a big, well-established IT company buying a small MSP. On the one hand, the big IT company wants to accelerate the small MSP’s growth in a strategic market. On the other hand, the buyer doesn’t want to mess up the small MSP’s existing business model. The key requirement: Balancing “business as usual” with integration issues, existing operations and some potentially new business initiatives.
MSPmentor and Nine Lives Media Acquired By Penton Media
Posted August 30th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
I spend considerable time covering IT mergers and acquisitions. Now, it’s time for me to shift the spotlight directly onto our business. Specifically, Nine Lives Media Inc., the company behind MSPmentor, has been acquired by Penton Media. Effective immediately, the Nine Lives Media brands — MSPmentor, The VAR Guy and Talkin’ Cloud — are part of Penton’s Technology Group. But don’t call it an exit strategy. This is an acceleration strategy. Here’s why.
Hurricane Irene: The Disaster Recovery Begins
Posted August 29th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
At first glance, Hurricane Irene caused less damage than expected on the U.S. east coast. Still, at least 25 people in eight states lost their lives in the storm, which likely caused billions of dollars in damages and lost business. Now, the recovery effort begins as MSPs check in with customers up and down the U.S. east coast.
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Road Trip: Join Us
Posted July 1st, 2011 by The VAR Guy
It’s not quite the Wolfpack. But MSPmentor and The VAR Guy have a special offer for readers who are traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles for Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2011. Up to three readers are invited to join the ultimate road trip — driving down the California coastline on July 9 (Saturday) and July 10 (Sunday) — before arriving at Microsoft WPC 2011. Here are the details.
25 Financial, Leasing and Lending Resources for MSPs and VARs
Posted May 9th, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
The VAR Guy’s Channel Finance 25 debuted today. The report, from MSPmentor’ sister site, includes 25 financial companies, lending experts, leasing professionals and other financial resources that can potentially help VARs and MSPs. Some of the companies even offer hardware as a service (HaaS) financial guidance to MSPs. You can find online details and a PDF report here. The report is based on a Q4 2010 survey from The VAR Guy, coupled with Q1 2011 editorial research. We look forward to publishing the report annually.
7 Ways to Break the Rules… And Succeed as an SMB
Posted February 2nd, 2011 by Joe Panettieri
Nine Lives Media Inc. (MSPmentor’s parent) recently turned three years old. I don’t know the exact date we incorporated. We were in stealth mode in Q4 2007 (you can still see the raw MSPmentor beta site here). Both MSPmentor and The VAR Guy came online in January 2008. And we’ve been sprinting forward ever since. But we don’t always play by the rules. In fact, here are seven ways we broke the rules to (apparently) achieve success as a small business.
Last Call: MSPmentor 100 Survey Ends Today – 8 Reasons to Participate
Posted December 17th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Attention top managed services providers: The fourth annual MSPmentor 100 survey closes TODAY (Friday, December 17). For those who’ve missed our reminders: Here are eight reasons why small, midsize and large managed services providers should participate in the global survey…
MSPmentor 100 Survey: Eight Reasons to Act Now
Posted December 14th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Attention top managed services providers: The fourth annual MSPmentor 100 survey closes this Friday, December 17. Why should you participate in the global survey? And what are the potential benefits to all participating MSPs? Here are eight answers to those key questions…
Funding: Will Venture Capital Event Connect MSPs With Money?
Posted October 29th, 2010 by Matthew Weinberger
TheBDEvent, a networking mixer to be held January 25-27 (2011) in Palo Alto, Calif., could offer educational — and financial — opportunities for MSPs seeking funding. Here are some preliminary details about the gathering.
Where Can MSPs Find Leasing, Financing And Other Financial Help?
Posted October 21st, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Question: What’s the fastest, easiest way for MSPs and VARs to find potential financial partners that can assist with leasing, loans, hardware as a service and other funding options? We’re working on the answer to that question right now. It’s called The VAR Guy’s Channel Finance 25. The survey and resulting report will help MSPs and VARs to more easily connect with lenders that work in the IT channel. Here are the details.
Cloud and SaaS Stocks: Reality Check
Posted July 31st, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Do investors believe in all the cloud computing hype? The answer to that question depends on which metrics you’re using. Take a look at the SaaS 20 Stock Index, and you’ll see some rather interesting SaaS and cloud stock trends since the index launched in January 2008. Here’s the update.
Microsoft Takes Cloud Message to Channel Partners
Posted March 10th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Microsoft unveiled the latest chapter in its cloud strategy today, as Channel Chief Allison Watson outlined potential cloud opportunities for VARs and MSPs. Watson held a webcast for channel partners earlier today. And she sat down for a FastChat video with The VAR Guy to answer additional cloud-centric channel questions. In the FastChat videos, Watson discusses opportunities involving Windows Azure and BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite), competition with Google, first cloud steps for VARs, and the SaaS pricing questions that sometimes pop up within Microsoft’s channel ecosystem. Here are the videos.
Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn’t Write: Feb. 12
Posted February 12th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPmentor 100 consumed most of our team’s efforts this week. There were numerous MSP-oriented blog entries we would have written — if only there were more hours in the day. Here are seven managed services blog posts we didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Feb. 12, 2010.
Zenith Infotech: Moving Into Telepresence?
Posted January 13th, 2010 by The VAR Guy
Hmmm… The VAR Guy has noticed an apparent link between Zenith Infotech and a telepresence upstart called Vu Technologies. Is Zenith Infotech getting into the next-generation video conferencing market? Too soon to say. But here’s some chatter involving Zenith Infotech, Vu Technologies and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Kaspersky Lab Planning Managed Security Services Strategy
Posted January 5th, 2010 by Joe Panettieri
Kaspersky Lab, the fast-growing anti-virus software provider, is planning a managed services partner strategy that will likely surface within 30 to 60 days, according to Senior VP of Corporate Sales Nancy Reynolds. Kaspersky’s move is part of a larger trend: Multiple anti-virus companies — McAfee, Panda Security, Sophos, Symantec and Trend Micro — are polishing their managed services strategies. Here’s a sampling of where we’re heading.
Last Call: Today’s Webcast — Recurring Revenue From Small Business Server
Posted December 16th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
A final reminder: Join MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby today on The VAR Guy webcast. The topic: How to generate recurring security revenue from Small Business Server customers. Here’s a bit more about the webcast…
Top Nine Channel Stories From The VAR Guy: April 10, 2009
Posted April 10th, 2009 by The VAR Guy
MSPmentor’s sister site — The VAR Guy — reveals what’s next in the IT channel. Here’s a look at the top nine headlines on The VAR Guy’s blog this week.
- Canonical vs. Microsoft: Netbook Cat Flight
- PlumChoice: Remote Tech Services for MSPs
- The Open Source Channel Nears Tipping Point
- Amazon’s Cloud Plus Open Source: One VAR’s Model
- Which Windows Server Is Best for Your Small Business
- Windows Server Foundation: Big Opportunity for Small Biz VARs?
- Channel Marketing: Viral Video Generates DroboPro Storage Buzz
- Novell SUSE Linux, PlateSpin: So Happy Together
- Sorry, this is a top nine list. Get to know The VAR Guy and you’ll realize he doesn’t play by the rules.
MSPmentor is updated multiple times daily. Don’t miss a single post. Subscribe to our Enewsletter, RSS and Twitter feeds.
Top 50 Open Source Channel Partner Programs
Posted January 16th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
For those of you investigating open source solutions, check out The VAR Guy’s Open Source 50 report on our sister site. The free report identifies the top 50 open source companies building channel partner programs. Fingers crossed, we think it’s the first report of its kind. And yes, The Open Source 50 is based on real data and real research — just like the MSPmentor 100. Here are some of the highlights.
Top Nine Stories From The VAR Guy: 12/5/08
Posted December 5th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor’s sister site — The VAR Guy — reveals what’s next in the IT channel. Here’s a look at the top nine headlines on The VAR Guy’s blog this week.
- IBM Attacks Microsoft Windows, Office With New Weapon
- Novell’s Financial Results: A Look At SUSE Linux Sales
- Two Words I Despise: Trusted Advisor
- Rise of the Open Source Channel Chief
- How I Learned to Stop Worrying And Love the Recession
- Dell’s $299 Linux Netbook PCs
- Cisco Offers $100,000 Bounty to Linux Partners
- HP’s New Headache
- Wyse Gets Fat On Thin Clients
- Sorry, this is a top nine list. Get to know The VAR Guy and you’ll realize he doesn’t play by the rules.
MSPmentor is updated multiple times daily. Don’t miss a single post. Subscribe to our Enewsletter, RSS and Twitter feeds.
Networking VAR Offers Different Spin On Managed Services
Posted October 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Network Virtual Support, a solutions provider near Seattle, Wash., isn’t getting bogged down in technology jargon. Since most small businesses have never heard the term “managed services,” Network Virtual Support instead pitches “computer maintenance plans” to its customers.
Send Your Questions for Dell Channel Chief Greg Davis
Posted August 25th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
MSPmentor and its sister site, The VAR Guy, are scheduled to record a podcast August 26 with Greg Davis, vice president and general manager of Dell Inc.’s Americas Channel Group. Davis leads Dell’s PartnerDirect channel initiative. If you have questions or comments for Davis, please send them to our editorial director, Joe Panettieri (joe [at] ninelivesmediainc.com).
Five Business Priorities for Holiday Weeks
Posted March 24th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Lots of schools are closed this week in the United States. Email and voice mail traffic seems a little bit lighter. It’s the perfect week to come into the office a little late and leave a little early.
