MSP Talk: MSFT CEO Perspectives, Security Threats, Money-Saving Tech

What have MSPs been thinking and writing about in the last week? We took a look at managed service provider blogs all around the internet and found some perspectives on Microsoft’s (MSFT) new CEO Satya Nadella, alerts about new spam-related security threats, an explainer on Microsoft licensing, plus lots of tips on everything from migrating to Google Apps (GOOG) to persuading users that yes, it's time to migrate off of Windows XP. 

Read on for what MSPs are talking about this week.

Microsoft’s new boss

Johan Hammerstrom, COO at Community IT leads off for us this week with his open letter to Microsoft’s new CEO Nadella. He outlines how Microsoft’s various programs and technologies have made an impact on the non-profit sector and urges more. Check it out here.  Meanwhile, Amicus ITS weighs in on what Nadella’s appointment means for the future of Microsoft.

And speaking of Microsoft, this blogger is always blown away by the complexity of the licensing programs there and how MSPs keep it all straight.  Here’s one MSP’s explanation of part of the Open Value Program licensing. And this is Part 3, so I’m sure you’ll get even more help if you search around parts 1 and 2.

And for Microsoft Systems Center fans, here’s a list of one MSPs view of the top 10 benefits of this product. Take a look. And in case you forgot, more on the end of Microsoft Windows XP support. April 8 is the day, really.

Security alerts

On the threat front, AppRiver warns of a spike in a big spam campaign that is attempting to spread malware, and a new virus campaign that targets Bank of America customers. The BOA threat is specifically designed to beat filtering engines. Click through these links for the full stories. ‘

And here’s something that many customers may forget. Internal threats are a big deal that are often overlooked. More here.

Old tech

Do you still have customers that are clinging to power-hog monitors and other outmoded tech? Here’s an explainer from one MSP on how customers can save money by updating to more modern gear. And as long as we are looking at old devices, here’s one MSP blog with a “museum” tour of old mobile devices, including PDAs. It’s worth the click through for the photos alone.

For customers who are moving from Microsoft Outlook to Google Apps, here’s a look at the cultural/change management impact of the migration and how to handle it.

MSP company news

Here’s a roundup of changes and developments at managed service provider companies. Google Apps partner and service provider Agosto has announced some changes to its top management team, splitting the president and CEO rolls and naming a new CEO. More on that here.

Miles Technologies has announced that it has achieved official Google Partner status in search advertising and display advertising. Plus the company has hired SEO and pay-per-click online marketing strategists. More here.