5 Takeaways From Continuum Navigate 2014

Continuum managed service provider (MSP) partners converged on Boston this week as the remote monitoring and management (RMM) software company hosted its Navigate user conference at the Seaport Boston Hotel.

Approximately 450 people attended the event, which featured educational sessions, keynote addresses and even a fireside chat with Boston Red Sox President Larry Lucchino and Continuum Vice President of Sales Mark Connolly. But what were the big pieces of news that came out of the conference? Read on.

Miss the conference? No worries, here are five Navigate takeaways:

1. Continuum travels “true north”

Continuum CEO Michael George said during his keynote address that his company is traveling “true north” and strives to give its partners the “instruments” they need to succeed.

“We’re in the midst of a major paradigm shift, and we need all of the great instruments of our time available,” he said. “We intend to provide you with enough instruments and enough information to chart your own course to true north.”

2. Continuum is targeting BDR and telecommunications

George told MSPmentor after his keynote address that backup and disaster recovery (BDR) and telecommunications could prove to be important markets for Continuum in the future.

He acknowledged Continuum likely will launch a portfolio of backup products and plans to enable its partners to make VoIP available to their customers next year.

3. Continuum introduces Collaborate

Continuum this week unveiled Collaborate, an online partner community that is designed to allow MSPs “to connect, share and learn.”

Dee Zepf, Continuum’s vice president of products and technical services, said Collaborate makes it easier than ever for partners to connect with one another and work together to advance their businesses.

“Collaborate provides seamless communication for MSPs, enabling them to communicate with one another in real-time,” Zepf added. “The platform makes it easy for an MSP to set up a profile and establish relationships with other MSPs.”

4. Navigate provides networking opportunities

George pointed out the managed services market is expected to be worth $241 billion by 2020, and more than 40 educational sessions allowed attendees to learn more about this segment.

The conference’s technology showcase featured roughly 20 exhibitors and also enabled attendees to connect with and learn from one another.

5. Expect more of the same in Las Vegas

Navigate concluded Tuesday afternoon, and Continuum finished the conference by announcing the destination for next year’s event — Las Vegas.

Continuum’s Navigate 2015 user conference will take place Sept. 27 to 29 at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.

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