MSPmentor

Cisco Systems Senior Director Al Safarikas, Autotask CEO Bob Godgart and THINKstrategies Managing Director Jeff Kaplan each work for vastly different organizations — massive, midsize and small companies. Still, they have something in common: They are evangelizing the move to next-generation Managed Services.

So what is Managed Services 3.0? Marketing hype, or a true shift in the MSP market? Here are some key thoughts from Godgart, Safarikas and Kaplan.

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Dell continues to launch Web 2.0 sites to drive dialog with partners (managed service providers, VARs and ISVs). The latest is a Dell PartnerDirect Group on FaceBook. It joins the Dell Channel Blog (http://direct2dell.com/channel/) and several other discussion-oriented sites for Dell partners.

Dell is gaining momentum with partners. But during several recent meetings, MSP platform providers told me they were running into Dell Silverback less frequently during competitive bids. Of course, that could have been “competitive spin” from Dell’s rivals, some of whom are worried about Dell’s Master MSP plans for Silverback and Everdream.

Small businesses with 20 to 100 employees are the most ideal targets for managed service providers, according to Dan Shapero, senior VP of marketing at Kaseya. Dan made that statement during lunch with me on July 21. I was quick to agree with Dan. But why? Was I guilty of shaking my head in agreement without really crunching the numbers?

Is there a solid, logical reason why MSPs should target small businesses with 20 to 100 employees? Actually, yes. Here’s the quick reasoning. Read More >

As small business owners, many managed service providers join their local chambers of commerce — but they don’t know how to truly build a business relationship with such entities. TechAssist, one of our MSPmentor 100 members, doesn’t suffer from such confusion. The company recently inked a partnership with the DC Chamber of Commerce.

Here’s a look at the relationship, along with some thoughts on how you can build similar partnerships with your chamber of commerce. Read More >

Quick observation: Over the next few weeks it’s safe to expect managed service platform providers to voice support for Intel’s Centrino 2 processors for notebooks.

Level Platforms has already hit the news wires with a press release, and rivals will surely follow. (Update 7/17: I originally overlooked similar news from N-able regarding Centrino 2 and vPro.)

Many platform providers promote their support of Intel’s vPro technology, which allows MSPs to more easily remotely manage PCs and notebooks.

Update 7/17: If you’re an MSP platform provider that supports vPro and Centrino 2, feel free to post a comment below alerting our readers.

You’re a managed service provider that wants to communicate regularly with existing customers — and target customers. Email marketing can certainly assist your efforts, but you also run the risk of upsetting customers with unwanted messages.

The following 10 email marketing tips (courtesy of Constant Contact, a member of our SaaS 20 Stock Index) will help your business to grow — without upsetting your target audiences with unwanted messages. Read More >

You’re a managed service provider and you’re seeking to take your business from good to great. Here are five key mistakes you’ll need to avoid while building your start-up business. Read More >

So, you want to launch a small business or reposition your company as a managed service provider (MSP). What steps can you take to maximize your chances for success? I’ve written a four-part blog to cover that very question. Here’s the fourth and final portion of this blog: Marketing and PR on the Web.

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