Datto says its new Partner Community Forum is aimed at keeping the “sharing and momentum” going beyond its annual DattoCon partner event.

Datto provides backup, business continuity and disaster recovery services. DattoCon draws more than 700 partners, including MSPs, VARs and IT business owners for technical training, best practices and networking opportunities. Its business partners include such companies as Autotask, ConnectWise, Kaseya, AVG and StorageCraft.

Jessica Fleet, Datto’s community manager, tells Channel Partners that partner engagement previously was handled primarily through one-on-one emails, channel events or at DattoCon.

“The forum gives us a consistent and transparent channel for Datto to hear from partners and for partners to hear from each other,” she said. “The forum is exclusive to Datto’s buying partners. Partners with access to the partner portal simply need to log into the Partner Portal and click the forum link to get access.”{ad}

The forum brings an “otherwise dispersed community of MSPs together to regularly discuss technical questions, best practices, sales and marketing techniques,” Fleet said. In addition, Datto can solicit feedback on product features and resources such as training, events, etc.

“By fostering a community of openness, transparency and knowledge sharing, we hope to create a self-service culture and also create an effective channel for bringing partner feedback to Datto,” she said.