Network Depot Launches Hosted Kaseya Managed Services

Network Depot LLC, ranked No. 75 in last year’s MSPmentor 100 survey, is transforming itself into a Master MSP. The company has introduced a hosted Kaseya platform, known as Virtual Administrator, that small VARs can leverage.

Hosting managed services for other VARs is part of a growing trend across the MSP landscape. But in addition to offering new revenue opportunities, becoming a Master MSP also involves some challenges.

The Upside

First, the good news: Roughly 15 percent of the MSPs that have completed our current MSPmentor 100 survey (yes, you can participate too) are hosting services for peer VARs. That suggests a growing level of trust between MSPs and VARs — which should lead to more reliable, more comprehensive solutions for customers.

Also, Master MSPs can scale their business quickly by sitting closer to the top of the managed services pyramid. Revenue from VARs — who, in turn, collect monthly fees from end-customers — flows in every month.

The Master MSP model has attacted some rather innovative competitors — including smaller firms like Do IT Smarter and MSPSN, and larger organizations like Ingram Micro’s Seismic team. Other key Master MSPs include ATS Managed Services; Brookland Computer Services of Surry, England; and NetEnrich.

The Challenges

Still, the Master MSP market is getting crowded.

It’s still early in the Master MSP game. But I sense we’ll reach some sort of critical mass in the next 18 months or so, with an industry shakeout to follow.

When I hear about Master MSPs, I’m reminded of Yogi Berra’s famous quote about a St. Louis restaurant: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”

Similarly, I sense the Master MSP market will fill up fast, too. But it’s hard to argue with the upside for getting in the market now.

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