Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn't Write, Aug. 23

Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, Aug. 23

Written by Joe Panettieri 1
August 23, 2013

This week's managed services provider (MSP) news involves ConnectWise, OS33, VMworld 2013, Datto, Axcient, SaaSMax, ServiceNow and IBM SoftLayer.

Well, my week-ending schedule went haywire when Microsoft (MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer announced plans to retire within 12 months. Plus, Associate Editor CJ Arlotta and our blog team are ramping up for VMworld 2013 news coverage. Now that we have things back under control (allegedly…), here are seven managed services provider (MSP) news stories, blogs and rumors the MSPmentor team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Aug. 23, 2013.

7. Are My Stock Options Worthless?: That’s what some employees are asking after recent company sales. We’re poking around the story to pull together some more extensive thoughts.

6. September MSP Webcasts: Join us once per week and ask your questions about Cloud BDR, profiting from Amazon’s cloud, MSP playbooks, and more. All the details are right here for each Webcast.

5. Big Event: Datto is set to host its first-ever partner conference in September. I’ll be on-hand to moderate a panel on Friday, Sept. 13. I’ve also checked in with new Datto VP of Business Development Rob Rae for a preview of the conference. I’ll share more notes soon.

5. SaaS Marketplace for VARs, MSPs: The marketplace is called SaaSMax. I’ve received multiple briefings. And frankly, I’m late with an in-depth look at the company and its strategy to engage and empower VARs with SaaS offerings.

4. Axcient’s Quiet Momentum: The cloud-based information protection company has hit a bunch of milestones in 2013 after hitting a few bumps in 2012. What has CEO Justin Moore learned along the way? We got the answers a day ago, and we’ll share them soon.

3. Desktop as a Service and SaaS: OS33 now integrates with ConnectWise. It’s the latest example of desktop as a service (DaaS) and other cloud services catching on with MSPs. But competition looms everywhere.

2. Top MSP Service Desk?: Keep a close eye on ServiceNow. The massive, cloud-based IT service desk provider is catching on with MSPs. If I developed RMM (remote monitoring and management) software, I’d contact ServiceNow immediately about potential integration relationships. We’ll have more ServiceNow details on Talkin’ Cloud, our sister site, soon.

1. IBM’s MSP Moves: IBM’s initial outreach to MSPs involved promoting PureFlex systems for service provider data centers. The next big effort will likely involve promoting SoftLayer — a Top 100 Cloud Services Provider — to MSPs. IBM acquired SoftLayer for about $2 billion a few months ago. Now, the race is on to position the CSP vs Amazon Web Services, Windows Azure and more. Plus, IBM must communicate how SoftLayer fits into Big Blue’s broader SmartCloud initiatives.

That’s it for now. Thanks for your ongoing readership. And for sharing your news tips/guidance.