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 Channel Futures

RMM/PSA


Level Platforms: The Buzz Sounds Real

  • Written by Joe Panettieri 1
  • March 17, 2011
Level Platforms, according to multiple managed services providers, has caught its second wind. The company, which develops remote monitoring and management software for MSPs, spent most of 2008 and 2009 stabilizing its platform.

Level Platforms, according to multiple managed services providers, has caught its second wind. The company, which develops remote monitoring and management software for MSPs, spent most of 2008 and 2009 stabilizing its platform. Fast forward to the present and multiple factors — a new software release, an improving economy, key software partnerships, and an emerging relationship with Synnex — apparently are giving Level Platforms a timely lift.

The latest sign of success involves Dave Sobel, CEO of Evolve Technologies, a well-known MSP in Fairfax, Va. Sobel announced via FaceBook today that he’s made the move to Level Platforms’ software. Evolve had been running Kaseya and Zenith Infotech. Sobel says he looked at every product on the market, and he spoke highly about Kaseya and Zenith Infotech, but he ultimately chose Level Platforms because the product (including a device manager agent component) is solid. Combine that with Level Platforms’ agentless technology and Sobel said he found a full, single-vendor solution. Plus, Sobel likes Level Platforms’ deep relationships with Microsoft, Symantec and other big software companies.

I realize: Plenty of MSPs continue to embrace Kaseya, Zenith and other platforms every day. My best guess: Kaseya and Zenith each remain five to seven times that of Level Platforms’ annual revenue size (each company is privately held). But Evolve is a significant win for Level Platforms, since Sobel is an industry influencer; he’s very active in HTG Peer Groups, very vocal on social media sites and active on the channel speaking circuit.

Road Show

Meanwhile, Level Platforms CEO Peter Sandiford says more than 1,000 established and aspiring MSPs attended an 18 city road show in February and early March. The key item of discussion: Managed Workplace 2011, Level Platforms’ latest software offering, which continues to generate positive buzz among the company’s MSP base.

Multiple sources say Level Platforms spent most of 2008 and 2009 fixing its base platform and improving stabilization, while the 2011 release shifted the focus from stabilization to innovation. While some rivals pushed into the enterprise and corporate IT departments, Level Platforms maintained a keen focus on one core market: Managed services software for the SMB market.

Opportunity Emerges

Level Platforms has also found itself in the right place at the right time. When Synnex — a massive distributor — in November 2010 ended a managed services relationship with IT Control Solutions, Level Platforms soon after stepped in to fill the void for Synnex, sources say.

Publicly, the Synnex-Level Platforms relationship hasn’t been announced. Nor have I discussed the alleged relationship with Sandiford. But multiple sources say Synnex has shifted many of its former IT Control Suite partners over to Level Platforms. And going forward, the Synnex relationship potentially puts Level Platforms in front of VARs and MSPs that generate $50 million or more in annual revenues — a huge potential  base for Level Platforms, sources familiar with the Synnex-Level Platforms relationship say.

There’s some irony here: Ingram Micro Seismic, a Synnex rival, used to host Level Platforms. But that hosting relationship wound down recently, just as the Synnex-Level Platforms deal seemed to be getting off the ground. Moreover, Level Platforms built another hosting relationship with NaviSite, which Time Warner Cable is acquiring.

Changing Perspectives

I concede: During the economic recession I had my doubts about Level Platforms. I wondered if the company could stay in the game against far larger entrenched rivals and upstart SaaS providers. But the Managed Workplace 2011 release, according to multiple unsolicited partner comments, seems to be the real deal. Now, small publicly disclosed wins (Evolve Technologies) and big privately confirmed wins (the Synnex relationship) could give Level Platforms a further boost.

Of course, I need to keep bigger picture trends in mind. Generally speaking, most of the major RMM software suppliers — both SaaS and on-premise — seem to be in growth mode amid the economic recovery. By all accounts, the managed services market continues to expand rapidly.

But Level Platforms’ core partner base sounds particularly upbeat. And Level Platforms seems to be building relationships with some big software companies. One example: In an email exchange, Sandiford mentioned to me the recent Level Platforms road show included a special session hosted by Symantec.

Hmmm…

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Tags: MSPs RMM/PSA

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13 comments

  1. Avatar Michael Minnich March 18, 2011 @ 2:08 am
    Reply

    Great article! Our team had high expectations for management capabilities within Managed Workplace 2011. Level Platforms delivered far more than expected. Level has been a loyal, strategic partner. Peter Sandiford and company are honest visionaries who ask for candid advice; then deliver on what their partners want. Hats off to Level for a three-point landing with MW 2011; and to MSPMentor for handing out well-deserved kudos.

  2. Avatar Joe Panettieri March 18, 2011 @ 2:19 am
    Reply

    Michael: Thanks for the note. I thought long and hard while piecing together this blog.

    I wanted to make sure the positive chatter among Level Platforms’ MSPs was real. Also, I didn’t want to sugarcoat the fact that I think Level hit some real bumps around 2008/2009.

    One problem with media (including myself): We often write articles about technology winners and technology losers. But we sometimes fail to see that multiple technology rivals can succeed/grow (to varying degrees) even as they compete with one another.

    We’ve seen it in the PSA market, where multiple companies grow and thrive (so far). And we’re seeing it in the RMM market, where I suspect there are more than a dozen viable candidates from which to choose.

    Ultimately I still think the RMM market will undergo another round of consolidation soon. Maybe late 2011. In the meantime, Level Platforms seems to be winning positive remarks among its partner base.

    -jp

  3. Avatar Andy Harper March 18, 2011 @ 3:06 am
    Reply

    I have to agree with Michael; LPI is a true partner and a key element in the success of our business here at Gaeltek. I think MW2011 is a true game changer and the addition of an agent to complement the agentless architecture coupled with a really smart pricing strategy that allows you to deploy whatever configuration works for your clients environment is a winning move. Hats off to the LPI team – they have delivered what they promised and are promising much more and I can’t wait to see that when they deliver!

    Andy

  4. Avatar Ed Mana March 18, 2011 @ 1:03 pm
    Reply

    Me Three!

    I was the victim of another RMM and Level Platforms not only has a great RMM, but delivered on what they told me they would do with the development of MW2011. Peter Sandiford has done an excellent job of assembling a top-notch team to bring us the best RMM and the best value. I have absolutely no doubt Level is “the Platform to be on” (Pun intended). I, too, cannot wait to see what they come up with next!

    Ed

  5. Avatar Todd Hussey March 18, 2011 @ 1:11 pm
    Reply

    Yes, LPI is the real deal.

    Todd Hussey
    http://www.MSPexcellence.com

  6. Avatar Tim Larocque March 18, 2011 @ 1:54 pm
    Reply

    I am a former employee of Level Platforms and have remained in contact with several MSPs using MW since my departure. Several partners have commented that MW2011 is LPI’s best release and a platform worth switching for. Kudos to the LPI management team.

  7. Avatar Peter Sandiford March 18, 2011 @ 2:01 pm
    Reply

    On behalf of our team of truly exceptional people I deeply appreciate these very kind comments. As an industry I believe we are all still at the beginning with a long road ahead and know we have a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be to help MSPs succeed in a rapidly shifting market. We are certainly in this for the long haul.

    We rely heavily on all our Partners who are on this journey with us. In particular Ingram Micro has been a committed partner over the years. This relationship continues stronger than ever as managed services moves to the cloud.

    Peter

  8. Avatar Osama Faris March 18, 2011 @ 2:36 pm
    Reply

    Hey Joe – great article and analysis. Managed Workplace 2011 is absolutely rock solid and is chalked full of features that’s surprising us on a daily basis. We’re a mature MW shop – a partner since 2005. This version is truly incredible. My techs keeping coming to my office and saying…”Hey Osama – check this out, look what I can do in MW….”. Here’s the real sign of tech acceptance: one of my senior techs spent an hour adding our corporate colours and logo to the interface. Sort like him saying, wow – this awesome and deserves to fly the banner high. Hats off to Peter, Dan, Rob, Barry and the entire Class A team at LPI. We’re proud to be a partner.

  9. Avatar John Kilgore March 18, 2011 @ 6:03 pm
    Reply

    When it comes to playing the RMM game of poker, you have to put your bets and your business process into one of them. For us, that choice was easy to make with LPI many years ago.

    Now, with the release of MW 2011 we’ve easily been able to double-down.

    John Kilgore
    Computer Service Partners, Inc.

  10. Avatar James Laszko March 19, 2011 @ 12:34 am
    Reply

    We waited very eagerly for the release of MW2011 and have been very impressed. The automation capabilities built in with the new scripting engine is enormously powerful. In the last few months we have been able to leverage the technology to increase our profits, gain efficiencies and grow with less pain. Our sales and support teams have worked overtime to make sure that we are taken care of and deserve great credit. Keep up the good work and we look forward to growing together!

    James Laszko
    CTO
    Mythos Technology Inc

  11. Avatar Frank Ballatore March 19, 2011 @ 5:51 pm
    Reply

    I’m very excited to see Level Platforms get their due. With the Managed Workplace 2011 release, not only has Level Platforms caught its second wind, but they’ve left their competitors breathless. The latest version is simply amazing. One of the weaker components of the product in the past has been the scripting engine. With a total facelift and redesign, it is now one of the strengths of MW. The redesign and upgrades to the device asset and detail pages is phenomenal. We’ve been a long time partner with LPI and have been through the ups and downs over the years. LPI has hit a home run, and I’m very excited about our future with LPI. I don’t know how I’d run my business without it. Kudos to Peter and the excellent staff he’s built!

  12. Avatar Luis M. Alvarez March 21, 2011 @ 4:23 pm
    Reply

    I echo many if not all of the positive comments made by my peers. As longtime LPI partners, we eagerly anticipated the release of MW2011 to help address some of the shortcomings of the ealier product release and we have not been disappointed. The role of the RMM system in a mature MSP has evolved from a simple up-or-down alering tool; we now need a sophisticated suite of functionality that lets us actually manage more than monitor, and MW2011 delivers in that respect.

  13. Avatar Fred W. Holzsager April 18, 2011 @ 7:39 pm
    Reply

    We have been using another RMM for years in the MSP space. Initially, we had considered LPI three plus years ago, but the agentless only option was not viable for us. Now, with MW2011, Level had come up with a truly applicable product for the SMB space. The Device Manager allows us to support the mobile community and their implementation of SNMP rocks! We still have a significant investment in the “other” RMM, but are dipping our toes in a new stream.
    The support that we have received during this period and the technology that we have been exposed to on the Service Center and the forum truly show how LPI has gained a prominent footing in the needs of the support community. As we work with them in a partnering relationship, we see how they hold our best interests in everything they do. I am excited by their results and the future that it holds. Level Platforms is in the game.
    Fred

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