It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Gillware Data Services, which provides free online QuickBooks backups to CPAs. But now Gillware has announced a partnership with Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI) to provide a broader range of cloud services, including storage. Here’s the scoop.

Under the deal, NMGI will act as Master VAR, developing the Independent Solution Consultant partner program in tandem with Gillware, according to the press release. The NetStore Data Backup service powered by Gillware will enable partners to offer their CPA clients a cloud solution tailored to them, while also giving NMGI a foothold into that market.

In conversations with Gillware, it’s apparent that both companies are expecting this deal to turn into a lot of money up and down the chain. If you have CPA clients, Gillware sees this as a major value-add to any other managed services you sell them.

It fits right into Gillware’s overall strategy, which is that you should bait the hook with free cloud services and then monetize, monetize, monetize. The only question is whether or not financial services is too specific a niche to target so heavily.

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