Uptime Software Picks a Fight With Nimsoft: Smart Move?

Uptime Software, a systems management and monitoring specialist, has launched a channel program and is taking aim at the Nimsoft partner base. Uptime alleges Nimsoft abandoned channel partners when CA Technologies acquired Nimsoft in 2010. It’s great to hear about Uptime’s channel partner program. But generally speaking, I think Uptime is making claims about Nimsoft that Uptime can’t back up.

Let’s start with the facts. Uptime Software develops systems management software for virtual server monitoring and physical service monitoring, capacity planning, and service and application monitoring. The company has announced a  new channel program for the reseller community. So far so good.

But here’s where the potential cat fight starts. In an email to MSPmentor, Uptime Software alleges:

That’s News to Me

Memo to Uptime Software: To the best of my knowledge, Nimsoft has not abandoned the channel nor the managed services market. Adds Nimsoft CEO Gary Read:

Nimsoft, Read adds, is generating “record bookings” each quarter by working closely with the channel and MSPs. Meanwhile, parent CA Technologies has been overhauling its software licensing models to more closely resemble Nimsoft’s MSP-friendly strategy. Moreover, nearly half of the top 20 MSPs in the MSPmentor 100 run Nimsoft. None of those MSPs has suggested to me that Nimsoft has gone direct.

Mixed History, Improving Strategy

I realize CA Technologies has a mixed history in the channel. Under former executive leadership, CA took some customer engagements direct and alienated some VARs and resellers along the way. There’s always more room for improvement but I think current CA leadership has been more channel friendly. That’s why CA hired Toni Clayton-Hine — the co-founder of Everything Channel’s IPED (Institute for Partner Education) — in 2009.

I invite uptime to describe how Nimsoft has allegedly abandoned the channel. If uptime has specific examples MSPmentor will investigate those claims for readers. I also look forward to learning more about uptime’s partner program.

Two disclosures: I’ve never heard of uptime prior to their email to MSPmentor this week. On the flip side, MSPmentor has a longstanding editorial and sponsorship relationship with Nimsoft.

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