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
    • 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
    • 2020 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
    • 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
    • 2020 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


IBM Making Managed Services Moves?

  • Written by Matthew Weinberger 1
  • January 8, 2010
We spend quite a bit of time on MSPmentor covering small but fast-growing software companies that cater to the managed services market. But occasionally an industry titan will catch our attention. A case in point: IBM made a key move this week, and it involved small and midsized communication service providers (CSPs).

managed services ibmtivoliWe spend quite a bit of time on MSPmentor covering small but fast-growing software companies that cater to the managed services market. But occasionally an industry titan will catch our attention. A case in point: IBM made a key move this week, and it involved small and midsized communication service providers (CSPs). Does this mean the Big 4 systems management companies (BMC, CA, HP, IBM) are finally waking up to managed services? Here’s some perspective and speculation.

First, the facts: Big Blue has announced a partnership with generationE Technologies. It involves a software and services bundle designed to help CSPs monitor their networks and mitigate disruptive network outages.

The bundle combines IBM Tivoli Netcool telecom network monitoring software with implementation services provided by generationE. According to an IBM press release, the effort:

“provides a comprehensive view of the network, consolidating and prioritizing networks alerts, which helps prevent network outages.”

For generationE’s part, they bill themselves as leading experts on Tivoli, with high-level accreditations in the software worldwide.

Where’s The Big Four?

IBM’s CSP move sparks a bigger question: Are Big 4 systems management companies — BMC, CA, HP, IBM — finally going to make aggressive moves into the managed services market? Or are their enterprise management platforms too complex for most MSPs?

We don’t have any firm immediate answers. But for the most part it seems like smaller, up-and-coming RMM (remote monitoring and management) companies are finding ways to displace the Big 4 in some enterprise accounts. Just follow Nimsoft CEO Gary Read’s blog/claims on the subject and you’ll get a taste for what’s apparently going on. And in some market sectors, open source companies like GroundWork have been causing the Big Four more headaches.

Still, we do owe the Big Four equal time. And in 2010 we’ll try to do a better job covering their businesses and strategic moves.

IBM and CSPs

Now, back to the story at hand: IBM’s support of CSPs. For those not in the know, CSPs provide all kinds of managed telecom services: they can handle anything from digital TV to internet telephony to broadband Internet. In that market, loss of service often means loss of customer, since no one’s going to use a telephone that only sometimes works.

Scott Sobers, program director for the communications industry, Tivoli Software, IBM, offered this prepared statement:

“This new bundle offered with generationE Technologies will help small to mid-size CSPs become more competitive and profitable by recognizing short-term efficiencies, managing service quality, and launching new services faster to market.”

It’s easy to see why IBM is making this move now. As smaller CSPs start to move into territory previously ruled by big telecom providers, they’re going to need to offer bulletproof  managed VoIP services.

Additional reporting and analysis by Joe Panettieri

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Business Models RMM/PSA

Related


  • COVID-19 pandemic
    How the Pandemic Will Influence Channel Partner Businesses in 2021
    From reshaping workspaces to doing more with less, four trends will dominate operations and sales.
  • Cloud Strategy
    In 2021, Cloud Governance Becomes Imperative as Adoption Soars
    CloudSphere, Fortanix and MontyCloud all talk about what’s at stake and what partners must do now.
  • 501 Somewhere Logo
    It’s 501 Somewhere: Janet Schijns on Transformational Leadership
    Schijns talks about what it takes to be a true leader, transformational technology, and her three steps for success.
  • ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga
    Lenovo to Ship Its Thinnest ThinkPad Yet with X1 Titanium Yoga
    Lenovo's expanded commercial line includes revamped ThinkBooks and AR glasses.

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

  • Survey: A Closer Look at Diversity in the Channel Community in 2021
  • Cloud Providers in the Channel Flee From Parler
  • New, Changing Partner Programs: AWS, Tech Data, Avaya, Verizon
  • Intel Partner Alliance Unifies All Programs, Provides New Opportunities

Galleries

View all

New, Changing Partner Programs: AWS, Tech Data, Avaya, Verizon

January 11, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

Partners Share Their 2021 Goals—and Plans for Achieving Them

January 26, 2021

The Importance of Being Security-Centric

January 22, 2021

Cyberattacks: Threat Hunters Conquer Unpredictability with 3 Measures

January 21, 2021

Webinars

View all

Your Network Perimeter Has Changed

February 18, 2021

In Case of Emergency: The Importance of Proactive Critical Event Management

February 23, 2021

How Managed Hosting Providers Thrive with the Alternative Cloud

February 24, 2021

White Papers

View all

Product Brief: Kaseya VSA Integrated Workflows with BMS and IT Glue

January 26, 2021

Why Subscription Business Model

January 15, 2021

The Ultimate MSP Guide to Sales Efficiency

January 14, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Virtual

March 2, 2021 - March 4, 2021

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

Partners share 2021 goals and tips to achieve them. @ConnectWise #SMB #cybersecurity #MSP dlvr.it/RrPzKJ https://t.co/gBsXooSnnB

January 27, 2021
ChannelFutures

Product Brief: Kaseya VSA Integrated Workflows with BMS and IT Glue dlvr.it/RrPJWz https://t.co/qFvS3o0XIZ

January 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@SaaSAlerts_hires @KaseyaCorp vet as new CEO. #MSP #cybersecurity dlvr.it/RrNyQx https://t.co/XzKxQbmrhr

January 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@untangle_inc partners say #cybersecurity spending will increase this year due to media coverage of cyberattacks.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

Native @MicrosoftTeams integration coming to @SAP apps. dlvr.it/RrKz34 https://t.co/tM7SQaaOHl

January 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

#Biden, @CompTIA both launch big #cybersecurity efforts (separately). dlvr.it/RrKr54 https://t.co/hXEw2CGUMZ

January 25, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@HPE appoints new head of worldwide distribution. #cloud dlvr.it/RrKJLT https://t.co/FW0OUTDJFF

January 25, 2021
ChannelFutures

Following its acquisition of SAP specialist Pioneer B1, new @SapphireSystems GM reveals "buy and build" growth stra… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 25, 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