Can MSPs Predict Cloud Outages? (Increasingly Yes; Here's How)

cloud outage predictions

First, some background: Many first-generation cloud monitoring tools basically tell customers whether a service is on or off. That’s not very valuable. But new approaches are emerging. A case in point: Last week Boundary — which develops cloud-based monitoring tools — spotted Amazon’s cloud problems roughly two hours before Amazon sent an alert out to customers. Chris Talbot recapped the situation a bit more closely on Talkin’ Cloud.

Boundary is no stranger to mission-critical monitoring capabilities. CEO Gary Read formerly ran Nimsoft, the monitoring software company that CA Technologies acquired.

Most major MSP software companies — commonly known as RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) tool providers — are enhancing their SMB platforms to monitor cloud services. But keep an eye on the next generation of players as well. From Boundary to Monitis (owned by GFI Software), a growing number of companies are introducing cloud monitoring tools and services.

Telling a customer whether a cloud service is on or off is no longer the point. Proactively predicting an outage — and routing customers to alternative cloud services — is the next big opportunity.