https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Solutions Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2022 NextGen 101 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2023 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501
    • Channel Influencers
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Technology Advisor 101 (TA 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • 2023 Call for Speakers
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Solutions Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2022 NextGen 101 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2023 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501
    • Channel Influencers
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Technology Advisor 101 (TA 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • 2023 Call for Speakers
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Agents
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • Channel Partners Events
 Channel Futures

Best Practices


Shutterstock

Website Developer

E-Tech: Look to Web Dev to Offset Shrinking Traditional Margins

  • Written by Rachel Williams
  • January 7, 2019
This MSP spinning up a web-development practice turned out to be a great idea.

Cloud is changing the game for traditional managed service providers (MSPs). While it’s significantly diminishing revenue streams on which MSPs have traditionally relied, it’s also opening up new opportunities for established shops to explore new offerings, markets and customers.

Such is the case with Toronto-based E-Tech Computing, for whom dwindling demand for private data-center services prompted a new service offering in web development. It’s not a recent one per se; the company, which came in No. 442 on the 2018 Channel Futures MSP 501 list, first entered that particular foray years ago.

E-Tech's Ian Evans

E-Tech’s Ian Evans

“We have been hosting the website for years — primary a content management system called iMIS. As we began to branch out into WordPress and Kentico hosting, we started to focus our efforts on the development and design aspect,” says Ian Evans, E-Tech’s president and CEO.

Managed services has always been a relationship business, and Evans says the strong working relationships E-Tech has developed over the course of the 27 years it’s been in business provide the backbone of the edge it has over other marketing and web-development firms.

“It’s an advantage that we decided it was time to exploit,” Evans says.

Every person who is not yet a centenarian knows that today’s business culture demands a sharp, easily navigable website in order to be successful, but many small and midsize businesses have lagged behind the curve in developing a modern, responsive user web experience. According to Evans, this means there’s an opportunity that can be summed up in three words: mobile, mobile, mobile.

Toronto is a longtime entertainment industry hub, and E-Tech has spent years developing relationships within that vertical. “There is so much room for growth,” Evans says, since the demand is there, and E-Tech already has carved itself a firm footing into the industry niche.

Web design has long been the purview of digital marketing agencies, but, as E-Tech did, in recent years MSPs have begun to roll such services into their offerings as a way to develop what they hope will be long-term revenue streams that will help make up for shrinking traditional opportunities. While developing a new line-of-business (LOB) specialty able to compete with these pure-play houses can be daunting, Evans once again emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing relationships, where the MSP is already the trusted adviser.

“[We compete] through our personal touch and close relationships with our clients,” Evans says. “Our team members have close relationships with high-profile entertainment industry artists.”

The entertainment industry sees a lot of overlap in terms of personal relationships, he explains: Everyone knows everyone. E-Tech’s development team has their finger on the interpersonal pulse, while also striking the right degree of professionalism. Because that still matters too.

It’s a tall order: Developers have to have both mad coding skills and people skills. As many MSP owners can attest, these qualities don’t always go hand-in-hand. But E-Tech says it’s heavily invested in its people, with two full-time onsite web developers and a dedicated specialist whose role is to foster client relationships. The strategy is paying off in terms of growing its web-development services. Evans says he expects E-Tech’s website development team to grow both client and staff count in the coming five years. Building a web-development offering is clearly a strategic decision that’s paying off in spades.

Tags: MSPs Best Practices Business Models Cloud Data Centers Digital Transformation Mobility & Wireless MSP 501 Specialty Practices Strategy Specialty Practices

Most Recent


  • Making Waves
    7 Channel People Making Waves This Week at 8x8, Intel, Google Cloud, RingCentral, More
    Google, which says it's cutting 12,000 workers, has not indicated how the layoffs impact Google Cloud.
  • Man's silhouette behind a transparent cell graphic and the letters RMM
    Hackers Use Legitimate RMM Software to Steal from Federal Employees
    Attacks on RMMs have caused "insurmountable" losses for SMBs.
  • INtelisys AMP'd Newport Beach 2023
    Intelisys AMP'd Images: Partners Explore B2B Purchasing Trends, CX, Security Solutions
    Customers "literally don't know" how their own buying journey works, and that's an opportunity for partners.
  • Crime scene
    Intel Earnings ‘A Crime Scene,’ ‘Astonishingly Bad,’ ‘Historic Collapse’
    Financial analysts and market experts are in shock after Intel delivered its worst results in 20 years.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • New normal
    IoT's Evolution During COVID-19 and Into the 'New Normal'
  • Sales Strategy
    Telesystem Promotes TBI, MetTel Vet to Channel Strategy Manager
  • Cloud Phone
    AT&T to Offer Up to 1 Million Customers Cisco Webex Calling
  • M&A
    Why All MSPs Need to Understand the M&A Landscape

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

May 1, 2023 - May 4, 2023

Channel Partners Europe

June 13, 2023 - June 14, 2023

Channel Futures Leadership Summit

October 30, 2023 - November 2, 2023

Galleries

View all

7 Channel People Making Waves This Week at 8×8, Intel, Google Cloud, RingCentral, More

January 27, 2023

Intelisys AMP’d Images: Partners Explore B2B Purchasing Trends, CX, Security Solutions

January 27, 2023

Intel Earnings ‘A Crime Scene,’ ‘Astonishingly Bad,’ ‘Historic Collapse’

January 27, 2023

Industry Perspectives

View all

Make the Most of the Gift of Time in 2023

January 25, 2023

Strong Partnerships Ease Challenging UPS Upgrade

January 24, 2023

The Advantages of Managed Networking and Security During Economic Uncertainty

January 5, 2023

Webinars

View all

Next-Generation MSP Platform: The Building Blocks for Your Business

February 15, 2023

Security Secrets of the MSP 501: How to Be a Cyber Leader in 2023

December 15, 2022
  • 1

Cybersecurity Certifications: Their Evolving Role in the Fight Against Increasing Attacks

December 13, 2022

White Papers

View all

Overcoming Your Endpoint Security Limitations with a Skeleton Crew

October 25, 2022

Embracing the Zero Trust Mindset For Endpoints

October 24, 2022

Endpoints are the Destination

October 24, 2022

Channel Futures TV

View all

Coffee with Craig and James Episode 117: Cato Networks, Video Killed the Podcast Stars

Retired Astronaut Capt. Scott Kelly Previews His CP Expo Keynote

December 21, 2022

Fusion Connect Eyes Future with Intrado UC, Managed Network Customers

September 23, 2022

RingCentral Focused on Hybrid Work, Microsoft Teams, Other Integrations

September 23, 2022

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Cybersecurity advisory warns of hackers' malicious use of #RMM. @CISACyber dlvr.it/ShYRwg https://t.co/zsBvQWqOYY

January 27, 2023
ChannelFutures

Reaction to #Intel earnings coming in fast and furious. Find out what investors are saying, and how CEO Pat Gelsing… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 27, 2023
ChannelFutures

Our latest #GatelyReport looks at #cybersecurity M&A, investment with @progresspartner, @cyber_advisory, @FBI Hive… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 27, 2023
ChannelFutures

.@channelsmart says plan and boost client #retention efforts to reduce #churn. dlvr.it/ShXvhj https://t.co/4jyHPCjTBn

January 27, 2023
ChannelFutures

The CEO of @Mitel discusses the likely outcomes of buying @Atos Unify. Note: @RingCentral will play a role post acq… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 26, 2023
ChannelFutures

.@msftsecurity surpasses $20 billion in annual revenue, analysts say it's a formidable #cybersecurity market conten… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 26, 2023
ChannelFutures

The adoption of cloud-based services ☁️ has spiked in the last few years and is among the top growth segments. See… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 26, 2023
ChannelFutures

[email protected], @NICECXone, @lumencpp, @CiscoPartners joined @IntelisysCorp and partners for a day of marketing worksho… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 26, 2023

MSP 501

The industry's largest and most comprehensive partner awards program.

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Galleries

Educational slide shows and images from live events.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Events
  • Telecoms.com
  • MSP 501
  • Black Hat
  • IoT World Today
  • Omdia

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X