ManageEngine, a division of ZOHO Corp., has launched MSP Center Lite, an agent-based remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform for managed services providers. The interesting twist: MSP Center Lite is free for MSPs that want to manage up to 25 devices. Beyond that, the software starts at $545 per year for 50 managed devices. Here's a closer look at ManageEngine's strategy plus the MSP freemium trend.

Joe Panettieri, Former Editorial Director

September 8, 2010

2 Min Read
ManageEngine Launches Freemium Managed Services Platform

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ManageEngine, a division of ZOHO Corp., has launched MSP Center Lite, an agent-based remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform for managed services providers. The interesting twist: MSP Center Lite is free for MSPs that want to manage up to 25 devices. Beyond that, the software starts at $545 per year for 50 managed devices. Here’s a closer look at ManageEngine’s strategy plus the MSP freemium trend.

According to ManageEngine:

“MSP Center Lite is an integrated MSP platform that offers … network monitoring, ITIL–based service desk, asset management, server monitoring, cloud monitoring, POS monitoring, IT workflows, remote control, and patch management. MSP Center Lite is web–based and built on the agent–central architecture.”

MSPmentor watches ManageEngine closely because the company is part of a larger SaaS and cloud story involving ZOHO Corp. As you may recall, Zoho (a division within ZOHO Corp.) develops SaaS-based applications that compete with Google Apps, Salesforce.com and other industry heavyweights. Over time, it’s safe to expect more and more synergies between Zoho and ManageEngine.

Freemium Trend

Meanwhile, the freemium trend continues to accelerate across the managed services market. N-able CEO Gavin Garbutt became a major freemium cheerleader about a year ago, introducing free endpoint security licenses for N-able’s MSP partners. MSPmentor took a closer look at the freemium MSP software trend in January 2010. And more recently, Intronis CEO Sam Gutmann raised key questions about freemium services in August 2010.

Clearly, ManageEngine is jumping on the freemium bandwagon, offering free software for MSPs managing up to 25 devices. We’ll be watching where freemium — and ManageEngine — go next.

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About the Author(s)

Joe Panettieri

Former Editorial Director, Nine Lives Media, a division of Penton Media

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