Intelligence

The Art of Managed Services Promotional Videos: masterIT

• January 19, 2009

Have You Got the Right Managed Services Attitude?

• January 16, 2009

Making the switch from the traditional “Break-Fix” model to a “Managed Services” way of doing business can be a frightening prospect. One of the most common questions we hear f

Google Launches Google Apps Reseller Program

• January 14, 2009

If you’re a solutions provider or VAR, Google is searching for you. The company’s new Google Apps Reseller program — described in the video below — is designed for VARs that want easy entry into the SaaS (software as a service) and Web 2.0 applications markets. The VAR Guy wonders: Will partners warm up to Google? Or is the IT channel universally skeptical of SaaS programs — from Google, Microsoft and others?

Google Launches Google Apps Reseller Program

• January 14, 2009

Google has pulled back the curtains on a Google Apps Reseller Program, allowing solutions providers and managed service providers to resell Google’s cloud-based applications. Check out the Google-produced video below for a quick overview of the reseller program, and join the reader debate over this effort. I’ll be hopping into the conversation as well.

Symantec Partner Deal Registrations Jump 27 Percent

• January 9, 2009

Despite the weak economy, solutions providers are registering more deals with Symantec Corp. But before The VAR Guy offers up some details he has to toss in the following qualifier: The VAR Guy is not suggesting that Symantec’s revenue is skyrocketing. Rather, the company has made progress getting partners to communicate more effectively about potential […]

The Obama Administration: What MSPs Should Expect

• January 8, 2009

President-elect Barack Obama will make history when he takes over the White House Jan. 20, and much of the world will be counting on the new U.S. presid

Three Tips: Managed Services Sales and Compensation

• December 23, 2008

I have a neighbor who really gets into Christmas.  His house is covered with lights and ornaments.  The combination of bright lights and shiny objects captures lots of attention, even prompting a local TV crew to broadcast in front of his house.

This display of festive spirit and the reaction in the neighborhood made

Avoiding the E-Discovery Litigation Headache

• December 22, 2008

In a number of surveys, various researchers have determined that nearly 70% of companies are at risk for an e-discovery litigation headache. The root cause of the litigation headache is the fact that everyone from government agencies to regulators to judges views electronic communications as business records that must be produced and, in many cases

How to Start A Managed Services Business In 2009

• December 22, 2008

If you have been dilly-dallying with the idea of starting a managed services business, look no further, 2009 is the ideal year for you to become an MSP. For a complete guide on how to setup a managed services

Six Steps to Get Employees Thinking Like Entrepreneurs

• October 13, 2008

Putting A Price On Eternal IT and MSP Happiness

• October 3, 2008

The evil-hearted Mr. Burns of Simpson’s fame once quipped “One dollar for eternal happiness? I’d be happier with the dollar.”

As funny as this line is, it underscores an important business reality — at

It’s Time to Add Power Management to Your Service Catalogue

• July 20, 2008

A lot of people talk about “going green” — but have you ever done the math to see how power management can assist your company — and your customers? Take a look at this quick example, involving the cost of running 500 PC desktops year-round in California.

The retail price of electricity in California is 11.53 cents per kW hour. If y

Understanding Google Apps for Managed Service Providers

• June 16, 2008

So, you’re a managed service provider or VAR who’s striving to understand Google Apps — the search giant’s on-demand software development platform.

MSP Center Plus Launches Beta

• June 8, 2008

Being an MSP is no fun, especially if you are a mid-sized organization.

As you read this article, national players and biggies such as Dell might be talking to your customers with attractive offerings. Being a regional player with quick on-call service might no longer work out to your advantage. Now, how do you face this situation? What’s your

Promote Business Continuity as a Managed Service

• May 20, 2008

Business continuity is the ability of an organization to continue functioning after an unplanned interruption. Data disaster recovery is an important part of business continuity capabilities.

Why does your end client need a business continuity solution? And what are the key components of a business continuity plan? Here are some answers.