Motorola Preparing Managed Services Partner Program

Motorola Channel Chief Janet Schijns says the company plans to beta test a managed services partner program sometime in late 2009. In a refreshing twist, Schijns told me that not all VARs should become MSPs. Schijns shared the preliminary strategy with MSPmentor during CompTIA Breakaway 2009 in Las Vegas. Here’s how Motorola’s MSP strategy will unfold.

First, Motorola plans to start small — with a beta test involving roughly 25 managed service providers late this year. Instead of sprinting into a production offering, Motorola plans to “score card” the beta test to see exactly how partners can best profit from recurring revenue opportunities. Schijns says the beta program will involve channel partners of all sizes. But in this MSPmentor FastChat video, Schijns cautions VARs: Not all solutions providers should become MSPs:

Areas of Opportunity

Motorola’s move comes as Cisco Systems revamps its own partner program for MSPs.

I’m curious to see how the Motorola MSP partner program will potentially benefit solutions providers within the government, education and retail verticals — three key strongholds for Motorola’s enterprise mobility products and services group (formed when Motorola acquired Symbol Technologies).

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