Open source applications reached a tipping point in the distribution channel today. Red Hat, Synnex and nearly a dozen open source application providers launched the Open Source Channel Alliance. Our sister site, TheVARguy.com, offers complete coverage. I’m not suggesting open source will eliminate traditional closed-source solutions. However, the open source mindset — including code sharing — continues to infiltrate the managed services market. And the Open Source Channel Alliance will accelerate that trend. Here’s why.
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Open Source Channel Alliance: Open to MSPs?
Posted April 14th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Contegix: Managed Services Built On Open Source
Posted April 10th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Generally speaking, the vast majority of managed service providers (MSPs) grew up as Microsoft VARs. But Contegix CEO Matthew Porter proves there’s more than one way to conquer the managed services and managed hosting markets. I spoke with Porter earlier April 9 to learn why open source technologies — such as Confluence, Hyperic, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Zimbra — play central roles in his company.
GroundWork Open Source, Roaring Penguin Prepare Managed Services Deal
Posted December 23rd, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
GroundWork Open Source and Roaring Penguin Software Inc. are preparing a technology alliance to jointly serve VARs and managed service providers starting in January 2009, MSPmentor has learned.
Zenoss: Open Source Meets Managed Services (Again)
Posted December 15th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
I’m hearing a familiar trend in the managed services market: MSPs seem to be embracing more and more open source tools. The latest example involves Zenoss, a commercial open source company that specializes in applications, systems and network monitoring.
Open Source and Managed Services: Coming Together?
Posted November 5th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Open source is starting to influence portions of the managed services market. But can MSPs really trust open source?
Paragent Marries Managed Services, Open Source At DEMOfall
Posted September 9th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Paragent, a start-up that marries open source with managed services, is turning heads at the DEMOfall show — an invite-only event that can make-or-break a software company’s business. Paragent’s involvement in DEMOfall shows just how far the managed services industry has come. And it reinforces the untapped potential of managed services.
Untangle Releases MSP Benchmark Study Results
Posted July 15th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Untangle, the open source security specialist, has released the results of its benchmark study for managed service providers. The study, the latest in a growing list of MSP-oriented research, features several key findings. Here’s a look at the survey results, based on responses from more than 200 MSPs in the United States.
Untangle, N-able Deal Accelerates Open Source, MSP Convergence
Posted June 17th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
N-able has inked a security-related managed services partnership with Untangle. But I believe there’s a bigger trend here.
Recap: Seven Trends From Managed Services Summit
Posted May 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
The MSPAlliance held its Managed Services Summit earlier this week in Framingham, Mass. Although I didn’t attend the event, I interviewed a few attendees and vendors to get a feel for their top priorities in the months ahead. Here are seven key trends I heard about:
Untangle Security Gateway Reaches Tipping Point
Posted May 12th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
As I was scanning a few of my favorite blogs, I noticed CNet writing a bit about Untangle — the open source security gateway provider.
Red Hat Prepping Managed Services Strategy
Posted April 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
The convergence of open source with managed services and software as a service (SaaS) continues. The latest example: Red Hat, arguably the world’s best-known open source company, has created two staff positions to serve hosting partners. Plus, Red Hat is evaluating a strategy to work more closely with managed service providers, MSPmentor has learned. Here’s the scoop.
Network Security Converges With Ubuntu Linux
Posted April 7th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
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.
Up to 50 Vendors Set to Earn MSP Alliance Accreditation
Posted October 9th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
MSP Alliance President Charles Weaver spent some time telling me about the organization’s new accreditation program during a conference last month. Sounds like the program is gaining some traction.
Low-cost Solutions Debut at SMB Nation Event
Posted September 26th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
Okay, I was a little bit off with my dates. Last week, I suggested that a few low-cost managed service provider solutions would debut this week at the MSP Alliance conference in San Jose. I was half-right.
Five Trends At MSP Alliance Conference
Posted September 24th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
I’m in San Jose for the MSP Alliance Fall Managed Services Conference. It’s my first time at an MSP Alliance event. And frankly, I’m not sure what to see. But I do expect to hear about five key trends at the event. Here’s the rundown.
Managed Services Prices Set to Fall
Posted September 20th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
The week of September 24 could represent a tipping point for MSP platform prices. As you know, many VARs and integrators balk when they hear they have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on an MSP platform before they can begin generating recurring monthly revenue.
Open Source Meets Managed Services
Posted September 20th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
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.
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