When we launched MSPmentor (in beta form) in 2007, some managed service providers were talking about ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), a collection of best practices for IT activities and processes. Now as we all march toward 2009, the ITIL buzz is growing across the managed services market. Here’s why.

Nearly 10 percent of MSPs say they are hearing ITIL inquiries from their customers, according to our ongoing MSPmentor 100 survey. Managed service providers don’t sell ITIL; instead, they adhere to its practices and philosophies in a wide range of activities from project management, systems design, change management and service delivery. Think of it as a template for IT management and services.

True believers in ITIL include Consonus Technologies, an MSP and data center provider in Cary, N.C. Mike Vogt, a principal consultant at the company, recently completed the ITIL v3 Expert Certificate training course.

Spread the ITIL Word

Now, Consonus is marketing Vogt’s ITIL expertise to the broader market. In a note sent to MSPmentor, the company says:

Technology vendors are also promoting ITIL into the managed services and corporate IT markets. Digital Fuel, for one, evangelizes the fact that its ServiceFlow service management platform leverages ITIL best practices.

I’m often skeptical when a new industry acronym gains media attention. But in this case, ITIL has been around for more than a decade. And the best practices seem to be catching on with MSPs and their customers.

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