Seven Managed Services Blog Entries We Didn't Have Time to Write: Nov. 20

Zoom. Another week just zipped by. As you may have noticed, we’re posting more managed services content than ever before. But there are still some items (and rumors…) we don’t have time to address. So, here are seven managed services blog entries we didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Nov. 20.

7. Kaseya’s Cloud, and ROI Calculator: I expect to see a demo soon. As soon as I can share some details/perspectives, I will. In the meantime, Kaseya has introduced an ROI Calculator. Sure, a lot of these online calculators raise as many questions as they answer. But I think we’re all addicted to them.

6. It’s A Deal: Tigerpaw Software (professional services automation) and Telizent Communications (remote voice communication monitoring) are now integrated.

5. Dates Please: MSPmentor is nearly done with 2009 travel. If you’re scheduling an MSP-oriented conference for 2010 please let us know now. Calendars are filling up fast. Email Joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc.com. Thanks.

4. Getting Associated: Watch for NTRglobal to hook up with another MSP- and VAR-oriented association in the next few weeks. NTR, you’ll recall, recently connected with Computer Troubleshooters Global LLC. Meanwhile, Pronto Marketing is offering its services to the SMB Technology Network.

3. Open Source Advancements?: Frankly, I haven’t heard too much about open source in the MSP industry in recent months. Back in July, Nimsoft’s Ken Vanderweel mentioned 4 key questions MSPs need to ask about open source. Fast forward to the present and I’ve finally heard some open source-related news: Opengear, which increasingly targets MSPs, has launched Opengear Monitor, a centralized monitoring system that shows network maps, status and detailed service checks for console servers and all applications, computers and devices in distributed networks.

2. Bloggers Wanted: MSPmentor seeks contributing bloggers in London, UK and Sydney, Australia. We need to keep both opportunities vendor-neutral so these opportunities are not open to vendors, analysts, etc. Instead, we’re learning toward IT journalists who are familiar with the IT channel and managed services markets. Email Joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc.com.

1. Big Wallet: A certain networking giant has been visiting RMM (remote monitoring and management) vendor offices in recent weeks, doing some “discovery” about potential acquisitions. And the visits extend outside North America, including potential targets in Europe. If anyone wants to chat more about this you know where to reach me.

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