Desktop as a Service: independenceIT, ConnectWise Partner Up

independenceIT has integrated its desktop as a service (DaaS) platform, called Cloud Workspace Suite, with ConnectWise. For MSPs trying to figure out how to offer hosted Windows desktops, this could be worth watching.

independenceIT already has a relationship with N-able Technologies (now owned by SolarWinds). There’s also a deal with TeamLogicIT, the nationwide IT service provider in the U.S.

Read between the lines and it looks like independenceIT CEO Jim Lippie is making the rounds in the MSP software market — integrating his company’s platform with key MSP solutions to drive mass DaaS adoption.

Lippie is the former president of Thrive Networks, an MSPmentor 501 company that Staples acquired. While at Staples, Lippie spotted independenceIT and was blown away by the company’s technology. He ultimately joined independenceIT earlier this year and was recently promoted to CEO.

As a former MSP, I know how important it is to have your mission critical tools integrate with your PSA,” said Lippie, in a prepared statement. “So we’re very excited about offering ConnectWise and iIT partners the convenience of managing tickets for cloud and on premise deployments, all from the tool they use most — ConnectWise.”

ConnectWise Community Director Jeannine Edwards said in her prepared remarks that partners will be able to efficiently deploy and manage DaaS environments in the SMB market with this integration.

A range of companies are trying to promote DaaS and cloud platforms to MSPs. Additional names include OS33 (which also works with ConnectWise), Desktone and EmeCloud, among many others. All of the activity leads us to think that DaaS may finally be ready for VARs and MSPs. Still, keep in mind: Microsoft is likely launching its own DaaS solution in Windows Azure later this year.