MSPmentor

Forgive me for going slightly off topic. I have some news to share: MSPmentor has a new sister Web site. It’s called Works With U, and it covers an emerging, disruptive Linux distribution called Ubuntu.

Some members of the managed services community are familiar with Ubuntu. Others have yet to discover its promise. Nine Lives Media Inc. (the folks behind MSPmentor, The VAR Guy and Works With U) expects Ubuntu Linux to become a true platform (for mobile devices, desktops, servers, and even managed appliances) over the next few years. Here’s why. Read More >

Sun made a major software as a service (SaaS) announcement today involving the Solaris operating system. But I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. There’s a high probability, I believe, that Sun will rapidly expand its SaaS efforts to include the MySQL database (near term) and potentially Ubuntu Linux (long term). Here’s why managed service providers should care. Read More >

Ubuntu, the fastest-growing version of Linux, is starting to attract interest from the managed services industry. One prime example: Untangle, which develops security solutions for managed service providers, is preparing to add support for Ubuntu within the next few months, MSPmentor has learned.

For MSPs, leveraging open source provides some cost-effective ways to introduce new services while connecting with fast-growing developer communities.

Here’s some more background on Ubuntu, along with emerging details about Untangle’s strategy for the operating system. Read More >

In the world of journalism, there’s an old saying: “Three’s a trend.” I thought of that truism this morning when I learned Tech Data plans to offer VMware to its resellers. Managed service providers should take note. In addition to Tech Data, at least two MSP platform providers are striving to help VARs more effectively manage virtualized servers.

You should expect a steady stream of virtualization-related MSP news over the next few weeks and months. Even though VMware sales recently fell short of Wall Street’s aggressive expectations, demand for virtualized servers and even desktops continues to grow rapidly. The virtualization craze has triggered new opportunities — and challenges — for MSPs and their customers. Read More >

So, you’re thinking about offering managed hardware as part of a monthly service contract. Before you make the move, consider this: Perhaps it’s time to take a close look at open source desktops (particularly Ubuntu Linux running OpenOffice) as an option for your customers. Here’s why.

Read More >

Sometimes I just can’t let go of a hunch. For a few weeks now, I’ve been asking MSP platform providers if they would ever open source their software. The open source approach, as you likely know, would allow customers and VARs to add incremental value to MSP software components.

Neat, but most MSP companies told me they haven’t considered such a strategy. That will change next week, when Untangle launches an MSP Partner Program focused on open source network security. Read More >