ConnectWise CEO Tells MSPs: Keep Dell, Google and Microsoft Out of Your Cloud

During his keynote at the ConnectWise Partner Summit in Orlando, CEO Arnie Bellini asserted that Technology as a Service (TaaS) will emerge as a super set of Software as a Service (SaaS) and Hardware as a Service (HaaS). And he  sent a clear message to Dell, Google and Microsoft: Managed service providers will be prepared to compete against those tech giants in the cloud.

Here’s a recap of Bellini’s keynote.

During the discussion, Bellini noted that the managed services industry has pushed beyond traditional remote PC management. Looking ahead, MSPs can potentially manage a range of IP-enabled devices. Examples he noted included:

The key point: Bellini sees ConnectWise MSPs sitting at the center of the managed services universe, ultimately managing all of those devices. And he is urging MSPs not to bow to Dell, Google and Microsoft in the cloud.

I will be back throughout the day with more live coverage of the conference.

Updated: More on Google, Microsoft and Dell

Following a cloud-focused keynote from best selling author Nicholas Carr, ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini returned to the stage and told MSPs not to be afraid of Microsoft, Google and Dell in the cloud.

Instead, said Bellini, MSPs need to be ready for their own cloud-centric opportunities. “The reality is if you provide great service to your customers, you’ll always find profits,” said Bellini.

Bellini said he admired Michael Dell, but added that it’s time to tie down Dell in this new world. “Dell can push us around individually,” said Bellini. “But they can’t push us around if we work collectively.”

Ironically, Bellini said ConnectWise uses “everything Microsoft” to develop its MSP platforms. And the company recently spent $100,000 or so building out a hosted Microsoft Exchange service. But now, says Bellini, he feels betrayed by Microsoft’s decision to offer hosted Exchange directly to customers at $15 per user per month.

“The hurricane is going to come through and change the IT landscape,” said Bellini. “We’ll need to evolve into a higher level of consultancy. The place you make your money these days is with your brains.”

“Evolve, merge, be acquired or go away,” Bellini told attendees. “Change is coming.”

Bellini provided some clear paths forward for MSPs. And along the way, he essentially positioned ConnectWise as a company that will continue to be an outspoken critic of Dell, Google and Microsoft.

I don’t always agree with Bellini’s competitive attacks against existing and potential rivals, but at least you always know where Bellini stands.