Planning Ahead During a Pandemic: ConnectWise in the Time of COVID-19

A growing number of IT vendors are extending COVID-19 relief measures to help support partner businesses during the pandemic. And ConnectWise is no exception.

CEO Jason Magee and CTO Steve Cochran recently discussed some of their initiatives and major focus areas in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic spread, and the resulting impact on businesses. It turns out they are taking a number of steps to help MSPs and technology service providers (TSPs) in this time of upheaval and uncertainty. 

Back in March, as the world shifted to work from home (WFH) mode, ConnectWise came out with its overall COVID-19 strategy: Protect the company, colleagues and partners — securing everyone’s oxygen mask, if you will. Now that the dust has settled a bit, both ConnectWise and partners can plan for things post-pandemic.

ConnectWise Education

Whether from a technology or business standpoint, ConnectWise is doing what it can to prepare and educate partners, and their own colleagues. 

ConnectWise’s Jason Magee

“We started with educational series,” said Magee. “There was also the aspect of product enablement — what can partners do to leverage their existing technology? What can they do to get their customers to manage and serve the remote workforce? To enable them to work from home? To remain healthy as a business? We did webinars on this, and called in our internal general counsel and outside subject matter experts to educate business owners.”

Raising Funds

Through the ConnectWise Foundation, the company has launched a couple of initiatives to raise money for those in need. 

“This is really about trying to raise the awareness and support around what MSPs and TSPs have achieved in such a short amount of time to enable SMBs to work remotely,” said Magee. “Because of them and the lengths they’ve gone to, they have enabled the global economy to continue to function. They’re the ones responsible for making sure their customers can continue to operate as best as they can.” 

It’s true. MSPs and TSPs have pulled off some remarkable maneuvers to ensure that security, fluidity and functionality remain at the forefront. ConnectWise raising awareness and funds for partners in need ensures they can keep doing just that.

In the same vein, Magee said that for the next six weeks, he is donating 40% of his salary to the ConnectWise Foundation. That money will flow into the ConnectWise Hand Wash Karaoke effort, the proceeds from which the foundation will distribute to MSPs and TSPs — even non-ConnectWise partners, Magee said.

Leading by Example 

Magee is calling on other MSPs to contribute in similar ways. His long career spans both sides of the channel, giving him the perspective of the importance of giving back to the industry.

“I’m pretty passionate about doing my part as an individual to help keep those companies running,” said Magee. “I hope we are able to get more participation from other leaders and executives, and see other companies come forward. It would be so great to see the ecosystem and the IT nation rally to make that happen.”

CTO Steve Cochran chimed in as well regarding ConnectWise’s R&D team, which has successfully transitioned to a WFH model worldwide. New feature and function development remain on track, but ConnectWise is treading lightly and incrementally to avoid enhancement overload. 

ConnectWise After COVID-19

ConnectWise IT Nation Explore 2020 is still on for June. Of course, the company is keeping a close eye on the pandemic and will plan accordingly.