Top 10 Managed Services Provider (MSP) News Stories 2013
Here are the top 10 MSP industry news stories for 2013 -- the most read managed services news and analysis on MSPmentor.
![The top 10 managed services provider MSP news stories for 2013 as tracked by MSPmentor The top 10 managed services provider MSP news stories for 2013 as tracked by MSPmentor](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt10e444bce2d36aa8/blt53e84a6a6a861811/65247d633219a2046781b367/msp-top-10_0.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
The top 10 managed services provider (MSP) news stories for 2013, as tracked by MSPmentor.
When Insight Venture Partners acquired Kaseya in June 2013, former Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie exited — succeeded by Computer Associates veteran Yogesh Gupta.
What it means today: Blackie has been relaxing while Gupta has been busy acquiring more companies. Kaseya also purchased Zyrion and Rover App to build an end-to-end MSP and corporate IT management system.
When SolarWinds purchased N-able Technologies in May 2013, MSPmentor's complete coverage of the deal asked the big question: Who else would soon be acquired, too? The answer followed within weeks, as Level Platforms, Kaseya, Zyrion and Rover App all got purchased.
Photo: Former N-able CEO Gavin Garbutt, who exited when the deal was announced.
What it means today: N-able, under the leadership of GM JP Jauvin, has exceeded SolarWinds' expectations so far, according to numerous Wall Street and financial analyst briefings attended by MSPmentor.
The dance between distributors and IT vendors always delivers a few surprises. A case in point: When Synnex purchased IBM's Customer Care Services Business for $505 million in Sept. 2013, heads turned.
What it means today: Watch for Synnex to further enhance its call centers, while also connecting the dots between mobile and cloud channel partner support.
When Kaseya, Level Platforms and N-able Technologies each got acquired within weeks of one another, it was clear the standalone RMM software market was dead. Increasingly, MSPs would purchase integrated suites from a single company — a trend ConnectWise and LabTech Software anticipated when they partnered up around 2010.
What it means today: Some MSPs are re-considering their vendor lineups amid all the M&A. But remember this: Changing a tool can be more painful than sticking with what you've got.
When Dell acquired Quest Software in Sept. 2012, the deal also included PacketTrap, a managed services platform that included PSA and RMM software offerings. PacketTrap sales were growing but not fast enough for Michael Dell's liking. Dell ultimately killed the PacketTrap platform in August 20123.
What it means today: Dell is finally privately held — able to work outside of Wall Street's watchful eye. The company continues to work closely with VARs and IT services providers. Many MSPs also resell Dell's storage, server and networking gear. But overall, the PSA and RMM markets were never a Dell stronghold.
It was the shot heard about the MSP world. When Insight Venture Partners acquired Kaseya in June 2013, it set off a domino effect: Yogesh Gupta (pictured) succeeded Kaseya CEO Gerald Blackie, and the company rapidly purchased Zyrion, Rover Apps and 365 Command.
What it means today: Gupta has his hands full integrating an end-to-end IT management platform for mobile, physical, virtual and cloud services. The big question: Can Kaseya and its MSP partners both compete and cooperate up in the mid-market.
Plenty of skeptics question Gartner's Magic Quadrant rankings. But readers sure love the information. When Gartner announced its mobile device management (MDM) magic quadrant, MSPmentor's story went viral and it remains a must-read for many MSPs.
What it means today: In reality, a lot of MSPs are still struggling to monetize MDM. But a lot of MSPs are shifting to per-user pricing and bundling in MDM, or making the shift to mobile application management (MAM).
When it comes to installed base size, Dropbox is the king of file sync and sharing services. But plenty of MSPs are seeking alternatives. When we published a list of Dropbox and Box alternatives, our readers flocked to it.
What it means today: DropBox has continued to enhance its MSP partner program, but plenty of potential rivals are emerging. In particular, keep an eye on Egnyte (hybrid cloud), eFolder's Anchor, and LogMeIn's Cubby — each of which is reaching out to MSPs.
Microsoft Surface enjoyed plenty of hype in 2013 — and quite a few black eyes as well. But what is the reality: Is Surface good or bad for MSPs and their customer bases? Managing Editor Jessica Davis weighed in with some views.
What it means today: When Microsoft released Surface Pro 2 and Surface 2, new Channel Chief Phil Sorgen didn't say much. That's too bad, because MSPs and VARs are surely interested in the vertical market opportunities…
When Microsoft's Surface Pro and RT sales got off to a slow start, plenty of skeptics wondered if the tablets were doomed. But Managing Editor Jessica Davis pointed out that it was still the early days of Surface — with plenty of Microsoft enhancements still in the pipeline.
What it means today: Surface still isn't a huge seller, but it's safe to say version 2 of the Pro and traditional model are gaining more traction than their first versions. But we're still waiting on a better channel partner program for the mobile devices…
When Microsoft's Surface Pro and RT sales got off to a slow start, plenty of skeptics wondered if the tablets were doomed. But Managing Editor Jessica Davis pointed out that it was still the early days of Surface — with plenty of Microsoft enhancements still in the pipeline.
What it means today: Surface still isn't a huge seller, but it's safe to say version 2 of the Pro and traditional model are gaining more traction than their first versions. But we're still waiting on a better channel partner program for the mobile devices…
Here are the top 10 MSP industry news stories for 2013 — the most read managed services news and analysis on MSPmentor. Captions for each photo are above-right.
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