AVG Cloud Partner Summit: 5 Things MSPs Need to Know
Antivirus software and managed services platform provider AVG Technologies (AVG) will give partners the opportunity to network and share best practices with one another at its first annual AVG Cloud Partner Summit next week, Oct. 20 to 22, in Phoenix.
It was just over a year ago that AVG acquired managed services platform provider Level Platforms, putting LPI’s remote monitoring and management (RMM) technology and installed base under new management. In January, LPI founder Peter Sandiford left AVG.
Other press outlets have recently confirmed that AVG has cut its workforce, and it sounds like those cuts have affected U.S. employees primarily. MSPmentor has reached out for comment to AVG about the cuts and will provide updates once AVG responds.
Meanwhile, AVG is putting a laser focus on the small- and mid-sized business market.
“AVG is making a big push into the SMB market space. We have made a lot of investments in the last year to really drive our strategy for MSPs. This is a great opportunity for MSPs to see what AVG is about today,” Marco LaVecchia, AVG’s vice president of channel sales for North America, told MSPmentor. “The pure fact that we are a cloud-based solution for all of our services makes it even more enticing for MSPs to see what products and services we have.”
What should MSPs expect at the AVG Cloud Partner Summit? Here are five things MSPs need to know:
1. There will be breakout sessions, presentations and hands-on workshops
LaVecchia pointed out MSPs can attend educational sessions that focus on topic including:
- Business
- Sales
- Technology
AVG partners will lead some of the event’s breakout sessions, LaVecchia noted, and MSPs can work with the company’s developers to improve their dashboards as well.
AVG will also offer advanced technical training on Monday on Managed Workplace 9.0, the 2015 version of AVG’s remote monitoring and management (RMM) software slated for release next year.
2. AVG will provide a product roadmap
CEO Gary Kovacs will talk about AVG’s strategy with attendees on Tuesday during a keynote address.
Other speakers will include:
- Mike Foreman, AVG’s SMB general manager
- David Haadsma, AVG’s senior director of product management
- Greg Mosher, AVG’s vice president of engineering
LaVecchia will deliver the summit’s welcoming address on Tuesday.
3. Technology guru Guy Kawasaki will deliver a keynote address
Guy Kawasaki, chief evangelist for online graphic design service Canva, will deliver a keynote address to attendees on Tuesday.
Kawasaki’s in-depth knowledge of the technology industry and extensive management experience makes him an ideal choice to address summit attendees. according to LaVecchia.
“[Kawasaki] has some amazing advice on the SMB business [segment] that I have used in our [business],” LaVecchia added.
4. The summit will feature a Tech Lab
The Tech Lab is a place where attendees can meet face-to-face with AVG engineers and product development specialists.
AVG said its Tech Lab is all about focusing on “helping you fully leverage AVG’s technology and product enhancements to deliver breakthrough value to your customers — and take your business to a whole new level.”
5. MSPs can learn best practices to build a profitable business
Summit attendees can learn practical “how-to” strategies and information for selling to SMB customers, delivering better value and dealing effectively with any competitor, AVG said.
LaVecchia added the event allows MSPs to work with AVG specialists and partners to learn what it takes to build a profitable business.
“If after the event everyone tells me they learned about their business and got some great ideas to implement to help them succeed, then I’ll be very happy,” LaVecchia said. “I don’t want this event being like many of the others. I care tremendously about our customers and their businesses.”
Stay up to date during the AVG Cloud Partner Summit — check out MSPmentor for news and updates throughout the event.
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