Cloud

Managed Services and Microsoft Dynamics: Part II

• March 5, 2008

MSPmentor last month suggested Microsoft Dynamics would emerge as a major force in the managed services world. A new piece of anecdotal evidence backs up that theory. Specifically, Tribridge, a Microsoft-focused consulting firm, says it has acquired Productive Gap, a Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions expert in Austin, Texas. In recent months, Productive Gap has been […]

Small Business IT Spending: Reason for Concern?

• March 5, 2008

From Microsoft Corp. to managed service platform providers, everybody is taking aim at small business IT opportunities. But small businesses may not be willing to open their wallets very wide for IT, according to a new survey by CDW Corp. Overall, the big product reseller said IT decision makers are somewhat more optimistic now than […]

N-able, Iron Mountain Solidify Managed Storage Services

• March 5, 2008

The vast majority of successful MSPs say they now offer managed storage services. In most cases, I suspect, those services involve basic backup and restore capabilities. Still, a growing number of industry partnerships could help you leap from “backup” services to “contingency planning” services, which are far more strategic. A case in point: N-able Technologies […]

MSPs Add Their Own Spin to Hosted Microsoft Exchange Server

• March 4, 2008

The same day Microsoft announced its software as a service (SaaS) strategy, some managed service providers are putting their own spin on the hosted Exchange market.

For instance, Azaleos announced a flat-fee offer for midsize companies (up to 1,000 users) seeking to migrate Lotus Notes, Novell GroupWise and Pre-2007 Exchange environments to its managed OneStop service.

Ingram Expands Seismic Managed Service Offerings

• March 3, 2008

First, establish a brand. Then, reinforce it at every opportunity. That pretty much sums up Ingram Micro’s strategy in the managed services market, where its Seismic brand continues to gain enhancements. The latest on-demand services, available as part of Ingram’s Seismic Virtual Services Warehouse, can be organized into the following three categories:

Microsoft’s Big Software as a Service Move

• March 3, 2008

Bill Gates today is expected to announce that Microsoft plans to offer software as a service to businesses of all sizes, as part of a branded effort called Microsoft Online Services.

What’s Hot — And What’s Not — In Managed Services

• February 29, 2008

Economic concerns continue in the US, but some clear IT spending trends are beginning to surface. If you look at recent financial results from networking companies, PC companies, software specialists and service providers, you can get a better feel for how to shape your managed services practice for the rest of 2008.

Sector: Networking

Ingram Promotes Digital Signage SaaS

• February 27, 2008

Digital signage: At first, it was considered a hardware opportunity for VARs. But a second look reveals that it’s a recurring revenue and software-as-a-service (SaaS) opportunity for managed service providers. MSPmentor said exactly that on February 6. Now comes word that Ingram Micro, the massive distributor, plans to offer a digital signage SaaS solution from […]

Salesforce.com: Stellar SaaS Financial Results

• February 27, 2008

Salesforce.com  delivered the goods today. The software-as-a-service (SaaS) company announced particularly strong quarterly profits and raised its rest-of-year financial guidance. That’s great news for SaaS and its close cousin, managed services. But let’s not get too giddy. I told readers a few weeks ago to get ready for SalesForce.com’s results. After all, the company is […]

Google Apps and SaaS: The Office of Tomorrow?

• February 25, 2008

If you’re still skeptical about managed services and software as a service (SaaS), spend a day at Long Island’s Hofstra University. Roughly 13,000 Hofstra students have access to Google Apps Education Edition to collaborate online, according to Robert W. Juckiewicz, Hofstra’s VP of IT.

The university’s ongoing experience with SaaS — and Hofstra’s future goals — provide some clear hints about how the corporate software market may evolve.

Managed Services Meet Open Source Database

• February 22, 2008

Logicworks, a managed service provider in New York, has made a rather interesting move that other MSPs should note: The company claims it is the first authorized MySQL Platinum Hosting Partner in the U.S.

Bill.com: SaaS Meets Small Business Finance

• February 21, 2008

Many managed service providers and VARs struggle with day-to-day cash management, customer invoicing and bill payments. I can’t endorse a particular solution to these challenges, but a software as a service (SaaS) outfit called Bill.com caught my eye earlier today. Bill.com claims its service can automate bill payment, e-invoicing and collections, and help to improve […]

The State of Ubuntu Laptops: Looking Good

• February 20, 2008

What is the state of Ubuntu on laptops? Two bright spots come to mind: Dell’s support of Ubuntu, and the rise of ultra-portables at the sub $500 price point. Many folks argue ultra-portables are the future of laptops and mobile computing. I am referring to the Asus eee PC, the Everex CloudBook, and the OLPC. […]

Linux Laptops Reach Critical Mass

• February 20, 2008

A few years from now, open source pundits may consider February 2008 the tipping point for Linux laptops. Why is that? Glad you asked. The open source world is buzzing right now about Everex’s CloudBook, an “ultraportable” Linux laptop available from Wal-Mart and several leading Web sites. Officially, the tiny $399 laptop isn’t available until February 21. But it’s already generating big sales, according to several sources in the know.

Symantec Launches One-Two Punch In Managed Services

• February 19, 2008

After a year of anticipation, Symantec finally launched its managed service/software-as-a-service platform today. The Symantec Protection Network (SPN) initially supports storage services, with security services expected to arrive later this year or sometime in 2009. Right out of the gate, SPN offers close integration with Symantec Backup Exec. That’s an important point: Hooks between SPN […]