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Rackspace Cloud Monitoring: Disrupting RMM Software?
Rackspace Cloud Monitoring, a new tool from the hosting giant, may wind up competing with some RMM (remote monitoring and management) software that MSPs currently leverage, MSPmentor believes.
2 Min Read
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Rackspace Cloud Monitoring, a new tool from the hosting giant, may wind up competing with some RMM (remote monitoring and management) software that MSPs currently leverage, MSPmentor believes. Here’s a first look at Rackspace’s (NYSE: RAX) strategy, and the potential long-term impact on the MSP community, including software providers.Announced a few hours ago, Rackspace Cloud Monitoring can be used to proactively manage on-premises, off-site and cloud infrastructure. Translation:
Rackspace is coming down from the cloud, and seeking to help customers and MSPs to proactively manage/monitor on-premises equipment plus cloud infrastructure.
Meanwhile, RMM software is going up to the cloud, extending beyond on-premises monitoring to remotely track cloud services like Office 365 and more. A prime example here is Level Platforms, where CEO Peter Sandiford has been evangelizing on-premises and cloud monitoring for more than two years.
But are Rackspace and RMM software providers really on a collision course? Yes and no:
The Reasons for Yes…
Some MSPs and customers are bound to try Rackspace’s cloud monitoring tool because it claims to deliver a “single dashboard” for all infrastructure management. Plus, it’s cloud-based — meaning that it should offer fast set-up.
As Rackspace CTO Jon Engates said: “This product provides one easy solution to monitor all IT infrastructure from a single interface, regardless of vendor or location.” Assuming that statement is true, MSPs could be intrigued.
And The Reasons for No…
The Rackspace solution could be far too narrow for many MSPs. Most RMM software extends out to desktops, notebooks, printers, tablets, smartphones and more. If I had to guess, I think Rackspace is mostly interested in server infrastructure and server application monitoring.
Most MSPs have spent years integrated various management platforms together. It’s unclear whether Rackspace will integrate into PSA software like ConnetWise, Autotask and Tigerpaw.
I don’t know how much Rackspace’s Cloud Monitoring tool will cost — though the company tends to price aggressively.
Rackspace itself depends on numerous third-party monitoring and management tools, including CA Technologies’ Nimsoft.
Either way, MSPs have a growing list of potentially disruptive cloud services from which to choose. Another example includes Boundary, led by former Nimsoft CEO Gary Read. Boundary has a cloud-based application monitoring service. Here again, it’s for on-premises or cloud applications.
The key takeaway for all MSPs: The line between cloud monitoring and on-premises monitoring is going away. Make sure your NOC, help desk, business processes, tool sets, service catalogs and pricing adjust accordingly.
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