A tip of the hat to Mark Crall, founder of Charlotte Tech Care Team, a managed service provider.

Joe Panettieri, Former Editorial Director

May 19, 2009

2 Min Read
Autotask, Zenith Infotech: Shaking Hands

autotask-zenith-infotech-integration

autotask-zenith-infotech-integration

A tip of the hat to Mark Crall, founder of Charlotte Tech Care Team, a managed service provider. In his personal blog, Crall notes that Autotask plans to more closely integrate its software with Zenith Infotech. This is part of a bigger picture race between software companies to embrace so-called open APIs (application programming interfaces). Here are some perspectives.

The Autotask-Zenith integration information apparently comes directly from Autotask CEO Bob Godgart. Among the highlights shared by Godgart (and relayed by Crall):

  • Together we [Autotask and Zenith Infotech] have defined a secure ticket transfer method which will work bidirectionally with Saaz.

  • The coding is almost done. We [Autotask] have a full time resource working on this project until it is finished.  Autotask and Zenith have started sending sample test data and should have something working by the end of the this month.

Still, Godgart conceded that the work won’t be done in time for a planned June 2009 release, and instead the Autotask-Zenith Integration work should debut in mid-summer 2009.

Autotask rival ConnectWise has also done some development/integration work with Zenith Infotech. Who’s working more closely with Zenith Infotech? Feel free to contact Autotask and ConnectWise independently to draw your own conclusions. (Translation: I’m wimping out and don’t have the time to get caught in an Autotask vs. ConnectWise debate this morning.)

One Dashboard for All?

No doubt, you’ve noticed that MSP software companies increasingly write to each other’s APIs. The goal, ultimately, is for MSPs to be able to manage multiple tools from a single dashboard.

It’s safe to expect that open API theme to continue at the Kaseya Connect User Conference 2009 (May 26-28, Las Vegas). Earlier this month, the Ingram Micro Seismic team announced a central portal — dubbed Epicenter — that allows all Seismic partners to manage multiple tools from a single dashboard.

Watch for similar announcements from MSP software providers later this year.

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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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