MSP Top 501 Profile: Cbeyond Speeds Up Cloud Services, Network Access

Cbeyond ranked 16 on this year’s MSPmentor 501 Global Edition, thanks in part to its focus on delivering high-speed cloud services.

The company has shown it can deliver fast, effective cloud services and has been recognized by Best in Biz Awards, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), among others.

Jim Geiger, Cbeyond’s CEO, told MSPmentor he believes his company has engineered a significant shift into cloud services and high-speed, advanced network connectivity.

“Cbeyond’s engineers saw the potential in IP technology to do something completely new: we were the first company to build an all-IP network specifically for small businesses and use it to deliver managed data and voice services as well as productivity-enhancing big business communications tools that small businesses could afford,” he said.

Geiger pointed out his company now is capable of providing cloud services, communications and network access at scale across many geographies.

Cbeyond

Website: www.cbeyond.com
Twitter: @Cbeyond

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Geography served: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and other U.S. metros
Number of employees: 1,300
Key technology partners: Cisco Systems, Microsoft

Cbeyond is a “technology ally”
Cbeyond is a “technology ally” for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Geiger said.

The company provides cloud, communications and connectivity services nationwide through enterprise data centers and a private IP network.

“We enable our customers to focus on their core business activities by shifting the burden of IT infrastructure management to us,” Geiger told MSPmentor.

Cbeyond also has expanded both organically and by acquisition over the years. The company acquired Aretta Communications and MaximumASP in 2010, and both have helped Cbeyond improve its enterprise solutions.

Cloud and mobile solutions grow in importance
The cloud and mobile are two of the biggest challenges for managed service providers (MSPs) going forward, according to Geiger. He noted many businesses expect technology solutions to be available in the cloud, which puts additional pressure on MSPs.

“Businesses are increasingly going to expect technology solutions to be available in the cloud. They have been hearing about the cloud for years, and are starting to understand some of the advantages of leveraging cloud services,” Geiger said. “Managed service providers will need to be able to present a cloud solution to customers, potentially partnering with others for some aspects of fulfillment.”

Geiger pointed out many businesses are using mobile devices, and as a result, MSPs need unified solutions that enable workers to complete tasks securely on their smartphones and tablets.

“Workers want the full functionality of equipment they have on their desk when they are out of the office. Mobile phones, tablets and cellular networks are now capable of making this vision a reality, but it has been hard for individual managed service providers to pull all the necessary services together in a single cohesive solution,” Geiger said.

Cbeyond uses a “co-selling” approach
2012 was a big year for Cbeyond, and the company expanded its network reach through its own fiber program.

Geiger said his company is making changes to its sales channels this year through an approach he calls “co-selling.”

Co-selling allows Cbeyond partners to leverage sales engineering and direct selling resources to help them close deals, Geiger said, and could play a major role in his company’s future success.

“We think that this program is a game-changer in terms of ensuring that customers are provided with the right solutions for their businesses,” Geiger said.

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