Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference: Managed Services Central?
When Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference kicks off July 13 in New Orleans, I’ll be digging hard from an update on the software giant’s managed services partner strategy. Here’s what I know (or think I know…) so far.
I remain surprised that Microsoft has not launched or white labeled an RMM (remote monitoring and management) or PSA (professional services automation) tool for VARs and MSPs.
Back in November 2008, Microsoft quietly held focus groups to discuss a managed services-oriented product that had “yet to be launched in the market. What became of that effort? Is a product on tap? Or was this merely an update to the Microsoft System Center strategy? Frankly, I’m not sure but I intend to get answers at the Worldwide Partner Summit.
In the meantime, Microsoft has been working with numerous MSP software providers — partnering across on the ISV front. More recently, Microsoft was in Autotask’s offices shooting some sort of ISV-related video.
And in recent weeks, Microsoft has been connecting the dots between managed services and Microsoft’s own Software Plus Services strategy, even launching an MSP landing page within the Microsoft Partner Program web site.
We’ll see if Microsoft’s MSP effort continues in New Orleans. And if you’d like to meet at the show, send me email (joe at NineLivesMediaInc.com).
Follow MSPmentor via RSS, Facebook, Identi.ca and Twitter. Subscribe to our Enewsletter, Webcasts and Resource Center.
We’ll also be interested in what you find out at WPC. VirtualAdministrator will be exhibiting there, looking for people who need an on-ramp to the Managed Services world, so it will clearly be very interesting to us to determine what Microsoft’s plans are and, of course, compare and contrast them to the solutions we represent directly or indirectly. I look forward to reading all of your commentary, and, of course, invite you to visit our booth and clue us in on the rest of the show :).
Rich Forsen
VirtualAdministrator.com
Rich: I will definitely see you at the show.