https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Business Models


Apple Mac Support? iPad Mini? Microsoft Windows 8? Eh.

  • Written by Jessica Davis 1
  • November 1, 2012
One of N-able's big roadmap announcements at last week's Global Partner Summit in Montreal encompassed support for Mac devices. Yes, the remote monitoring and management vendor said it would extend its N-central platform to support Macs.

One of N-able’s big roadmap announcements at last week’s Global Partner Summit in Montreal encompassed support for Mac devices. Yes, the remote monitoring and management vendor said it would extend its N-central platform to support Macs. The announcement came on the same day that Microsoft was rolling out Windows 8 and The VAR Guy was meeting with Michael Dell in New York City to talk about Windows 8, Dell devices that have the new OS installed, and plenty of other, more MSP-related topics. Oh, and Apple announced the iPad Mini last week, too. (And although I’m still punchy from my ongoing power outage, spotty Internet access and hit-or-miss phone service, I will refrain from feminine hygiene jokes this time around.)

Yet, in spite of all this big news from Microsoft and Apple last week (and N-able’s nod to the growing importance of the Mac platform in business environments), the MSPs I spoke with at the N-able Global Partner Summit last week weren’t blown away by any of these announcements. They were much more interested in and impressed with N-able’s new integrations with Autotask and ConnectWise in Report Manager 4.0.  This was the improvement that would actually help their businesses win more sales. This was what enabled them to create executive summaries for C-level executives at customer companies.

So support for various platforms? Merely a check mark on the list of services offered. But a new integration to deliver better information to customers that would improve sales? A long-awaited and much appreciated feature.

What do you think? Is Mac support a big deal for your customers? Any clients clamoring for Windows 8?

 

 

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Business Models Sales & Marketing

Related


  • CP-Expo-Logo-1050x618 web
    Channel Partners Virtual Wraps — See You In Person at CP Expo Homecoming
    So long, Channel Partners Virtual. But what a week it was. Now, our live event is on tap.
  • Growth
    Auth0 Acquisition to Power Okta's Growth in Massive Identity Market
    Together, Okta and Auth0 address a broad set of identity use cases.
  • Digital handshake
    Clearlake, TA Associates Buy Precisely in $3.5 Billion Deal
    Precisely's partners are crucial to the company and its growth.
  • Trophy
    Veeam Partner Awards Honor Arrow, SHI, CDWG, More
    These partners exceeded Veeam's expectations in 2020.

5 comments

  1. Avatar Mike November 1, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
    Reply

    As a small Mac-focused MSP, I have to say yes. Mac support is a big deal for my clients. And after a LOT of research, my general impression is that the Mac agents from Windows-focused RMM vendors (Continuum, Kaseya, Labtech, etc) were developed in a vacuum. They seem to be based on giving their core Windows-based MSP customer something that they can go to their clients with and allow them to say they can support Macs. As opposed to developing a robust agent truly centered on the Mac. It’s almost like a person who can’t see trying to describe a classic painting. It’s as if the SaaS-based Mac agents were built without regard to what Mac professionals really need to support Macs properly. Software delivery is an excellent example of this. To date, I feel that none of the SaaS-based RMM providers understand how to easily and flexibly deliver Mac software packages (.pkg and .mpkg) to client machines and report results. And if an RMM offering can’t at least do that for me, then I have no use for it at any price.

    So far, the best Mac-based RMM offerings I’ve seen are Casper Suite and Absolute Manage. Both are excellent, but neither product was really designed for MSPs. MSPs have shoe-horned them to serve the purpose effectively, but they weren’t developed with MSPs in mind. And both products are premise-based, with a reasonably significant up-front investment required.

    There is an emerging group of Mac support professionals who are embracing the managed service model of support delivery. Most of whom are looking for truly great Mac-focused RMM tools. Tools designed specifically for supporting Macs in an MSP environment. There’s absolutely a market there. But so far, it seems like the current Mac agents geared toward meeting the bare minimum requirements of the Windows-centric MSP, when people who make their living supporting Macs set the bar a little bit higher.

    For now, I’m still waiting on the perfect Mac-focused RMM tools.

    Mike Castaldi
    Wild Frog Consulting
    Member, Apple Consultants Network

  2. Avatar Trent November 2, 2012 @ 5:09 am
    Reply

    I have to agree with the article. The Report Manager 4.0 features are a much more needed feature from a business and sales perspective.

  3. Avatar Joe Panettieri November 4, 2012 @ 1:10 pm
    Reply

    [email protected]: Thanks for the Mac-centric perspective. Have you expressed your perspectives directly to RMM software companies? If so, did they offer any reaction..

    [email protected]: Is it safe to say you’re an N-able customer/partner?
    -jp

  4. Avatar Mike November 5, 2012 @ 1:45 am
    Reply

    Joegt; I have. Their responses have typically fed my perspective that their Mac agents are aimed at being “just good enough” to satisfy their Windows customers who need to support a Mac or two. I completely understand this perspective, as any business has to satisfy their core customers. However, with the Mac platform’s increasing presence in the enterprise it’s very disappointing that the current crop of RMM vendors don’t seem to be looking forward and setting their sights higher with regard to Mac support. I know of no Windows-based RMM vendor who has really engaged the Mac support community to help determine what features/functions Mac professionals feel would be necessary of beneficial. Most just think they can try to clone the feature set of their Windows agent and call it good. This plan invariably falls short, particularly in the areas of monitoring and software deployment.

  5. Avatar Joe Panettieri November 6, 2012 @ 3:51 pm
    Reply

    Mike: Thanks for the background.

    Memo to RMM and MDM Vendors: Do you have a response for Mike? Thoughts? This is your opportunity to prove him wrong.
    -jp

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

  • Spectra Logic’s New Partner Program Reflects Vendor’s New Direction
  • Netrality Data Centers Unveils Expanded Partner Program
  • AppGate Partners Gain New Accretive Rewards Program
  • Channel Partners Virtual 2021 Is Here — Take Advantage of the Amazing Content

Galleries

View all

From The Second City: How to Use Improv as a Business Tool

March 3, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

5 Ways XDR Can Improve Operational Efficiency for MSPs

March 4, 2021

Multi-Cloud: Strategy or Inevitable Outcome? (or both?)

March 3, 2021

Backup Vulnerability: 4 Targets Hackers Might Utilize to Infiltrate Your Backup Solution

March 2, 2021

Webinars

View all

A Partner’s Perspective on Channel Success in 2021

March 23, 2021

XDR and Why it Matters to MSPs

March 24, 2021

Top Security Trends Impacting Technology Security Providers In 2021

March 25, 2021
  • 1

White Papers

View all

Why Fortinet for my MSSP?

March 2, 2021

Small and Mid-Size Business Security: 4 Steps to Success

March 2, 2021

How SMBs Can Secure Endpoints and Remote Workers for the Long Haul

March 2, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Chinese hacker group #HAFNIUM exploits critical @MSFTExchange Server vulnerability, could impact thousands.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 7, 2021
ChannelFutures

Our latest #Cybersecurity Roundup highlights #CPVirtual, @Huntresslabs, @Entrust_Corp and @InsightEnt.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 5, 2021
ChannelFutures

RT @Channel_Expo: A HUGE thank you to our amazing #CPVirtual sponsors and exhibitors! 👏 @ATTBusiness @DellTech @8x8 @lumentechco @telarus @…

March 5, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@okta acquiring rival @auth0 in $6.5 billion all-stock transaction. #security dlvr.it/Rtzwdp https://t.co/4LvHCJuwsR

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@MicrosoftTeams features are coming to @MSFTDynamics365, the company announced at @MS_Ignite. #MicrosoftIgnite… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@PreciselyData acquired by Clearlake Capital, @TAAssociates. #digitaltransformation dlvr.it/RtzbKg https://t.co/1rNYnTScxq

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

Thanks for attending #CPVirtual. Here's a Day 3 wrap and a look ahead to #CPExpo Homecoming in November!… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@Veeam announces six annual Impact Partner Awards, with @SHI_Intl, @LogicalisUS, more. #cloud… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021

MSSP Insider

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.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 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