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• Cloud managed services beyond the beaten path

  Accenture, CDS and Modern Systems are developing cloud-related services and approaches at the periphery of traditional offerings, which points the way to portfolio differentiation. Continue Reading

• Accenture: How to tackle cloud service management issues

  An Accenture study found that many organizations have yet to reach their cloud computing objectives. Here are tips for tackling cloud sprawl and other management challenges. Continue Reading

• Container adoption accelerates, consulting execs say

  The potential to massively speed up software cycle time is generating more container technology demand for channel partners, particularly in the new app development field. Continue Reading

• MSP automation taps PowerShell as multi-tool

  As MSP automation becomes increasingly important amid complex customer environments, service providers have turned to PowerShell as a flexible multi-tool. Continue Reading

• Desktop-as-a-service combo targets channel via Ingram Micro

  Citrix, IGEL and Ingram Micro are collaborating on a desktop-as-a-service offering, which could provide channel partners with a mechanism for replacing clients' Windows 7 desktops. Continue Reading

• MBX Systems reinvents itself in computer hardware manufacturing

  Twenty-five-year-old MBX Systems, a computer hardware manufacturer, is an example of how technology companies can continually adapt to the ever-changing marketplace. In 1995, the organization ...Continue Reading

• MSP software vendors play catch-up with security threats

  Hackers have exploited MSP software tools such as remote monitoring and management as a conduit for cyberattacks, leading some vendors to issue new security measures and resources.Continue Reading

• PowerShell automation helps MSPs, but with some caveats

  PowerShell scripting can help MSPs automate mundane and time-consuming chores, but service providers need to test their scripts and look to security first.Continue Reading

• Cybersecurity puts managed services industry at a crossroads

  MSP software vendor ConnectWise's annual IT Nation Connect event revealed the pressures managed service providers are under to transition to advanced cybersecurity.Continue Reading

• Single cloud counters multi-cloud trend among MSPs

  For some services providers, focusing resources on one cloud platform makes more sense than distributing resources across two or more public cloud environments.Continue Reading

• Channel partner account manager role is due for a refresh

  As change continues to sweep through the IT industry and channel ecosystem, vendors need to evolve the functions of partner account managers to keep up with the times.Continue Reading

• Channel firms take on multi-cloud management challenges

  As enterprise customers begin to grapple with the complexities of multi-cloud environments, channel partners have found a role in reining in and optimizing cloud spending.Continue Reading

• Digital process automation: Bonitasoft tool boosts BPM work

  Digital process automation technology is playing a key role in enabling business process management projects for one IT services firm.Continue Reading

• Office 365 managed services call for workflow, vertical skills

  Subscription business models, a focus on automating workflow and becoming a thought leader are important for taking advantage of the Microsoft Office 365 opportunity.Continue Reading

• MSP business expansion driven by cybersecurity, consulting

  MSPs are under pressure to expand their businesses beyond their traditional offerings. Cybersecurity and consulting services are two directions they can take their businesses.Continue Reading

• Managed Azure services hotspots span optimization to AI

  Demand for Microsoft Azure services ranges from cost optimization to AI services, according to service providers looking for business in this public cloud platform.Continue Reading

• The NetApp subscription model explained: A partner primer

  The NetApp subscription model opens opportunities for recurring revenue and renewable customers, but only if NetApp partners focus on successful technology adoption.Continue Reading

• Partners weigh prospects of NVMe storage market

  While NVMe technology has yet to gain the customer traction that industry watchers expected, channel partners believe it will become the de facto standard.Continue Reading

• Grant Thornton LLP taps Rightpoint for digital workspace

  Grant Thornton LLP, a professional services firm, got an assist from Rightpoint on a digital workspace project that breathed new life into an aging intranet system.Continue Reading

• Cognilytica expands on CRISP DM model for AI project management

  As AI projects become commonplace, channel partners may need to find a way to manage them. Cognilytica offers one approach that draws upon the CRISP DM modelContinue Reading

• MDR services evolve into distinct security service offering

  MDR services are developing into a new category of cybersecurity offering for channel partners. Learn how MDR providers take a different approach from traditional MSSPs.Continue Reading

• Sensu targets MSPs with multi-cloud monitoring, multi-tenancy

  Sensu's multi-cloud monitoring tool has been redesigned to support multi-tenancy, a plus for managed service providers.Continue Reading

• How to install and configure vCenter Update Manager

  Follow these steps to install and configure VMware vCenter Update Manager, which can help solution providers with patching hosts and virtual machines.Continue Reading

• Assured DP partners with Rubrik, Equinix in DraaS twist

  Assured DP is putting its own stamp on the disaster recovery-as-a-service market, creating a DRaaS offering through a partnership with Rubrik and Equinix.Continue Reading

• Green House Data on becoming a Microsoft Azure Expert MSP

  The task of becoming a Microsoft Azure Expert MSP, under a Microsoft partner program launched in 2018, is rigorous and time-consuming. Just ask Green House Data.Continue Reading

• MSP software takes a different turn in ServiceNow-LogicMonitor link

  MSP software comes in various forms and combinations. Some larger MSPs are adopting ServiceNow and LogicMonitor to automate core business functions.Continue Reading

• Self-service analytics at Accenture boosts knowledge workers

  Accenture's enterprise analytics and AI models are helping the firm on a number of fronts, including determining sales opportunities, pricing deals and complying with internal and customer expense policies.Continue Reading

• MSP business model moves toward three key staples

  The developing MSP business model is showing some of the characteristics of an ancient agricultural technique. Find out how service providers are cultivating business.Continue Reading

• Keep a digital transformation strategy humming with these practices

  A digital transformation strategy starts with a client's vision and a focus on business outcomes. Find out what's working for Insight Enterprises and its clients.Continue Reading

• Generations in the workplace and how to manage them

  Managing different generations in the workplace calls for a clearer understanding of their characteristics, which will then help shape recruitment and retention strategies.Continue Reading

• Managed services companies upbeat despite economic signals

  At MSPWorld, managed services executives expressed guarded optimism regarding MSP market prospects and growth potential, despite some economic concerns.Continue Reading

• Accenture adds Google to multi-cloud strategy

  Accenture IT is embracing a multi-cloud management approach, providing an example for clients exploring the use of more than one public cloud platform.Continue Reading

• Hosted private cloud speeds Epic EMR system rollout

  A healthcare firm faced the daunting deadline challenge of deploying an Epic EMR system in eight months. US Signal's hosted private cloud helped the client beat the clock.Continue Reading

• Big Blue drives collaboration among IBM business partners

  IBM business partners run the gamut of skill sets and focus areas. Learn about an initiative that aims to facilitate alliances within IBM's complex channel ecosystem.Continue Reading

• Reseller business model transformation pivots on cultural change

  MNJ Technologies, a once fast-growing VAR, found its sales were stagnating. Here's how it got back on track with its effort to push beyond the reseller business model.Continue Reading

• AWS APN program changes spark partner reaction

  AWS partners said they support the new requirements established for the AWS APN program, noting the higher bar helps them rise above rivals in a competitive market.Continue Reading

• How to manage Windows 7 user accounts and groups

  Whether your customers operate in a workgroup or a domain/Active Directory environment, user account setup and group memberships control their rights, permissions and roles.Continue Reading

• 7 business and technology trends for 2019

  Business and technology trends for 2019 include a shifting competitive landscape and ample M&A activity, with managed service providers and cloud consultancies in demand.Continue Reading

• How to revamp your managed services pricing for predictable revenue

  Many MSPs still rely heavily on an hourly billing rate and cost-plus pricing. Michael Backers, an MSPAlliance board member, offers advice on moving to managed services pricing.Continue Reading

• What makes for a true MSP partner?

  Serving as a customer's partner requires more than a marketing label. David Kaszowicz of Aventis Systems discusses how channel companies can become managing partners.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure migration: Accenture team supports Carlsberg

  A more agile infrastructure was among the benefits of an Azure migration at brewer Carlsberg Group. An Accenture-led team assisted with the cloud transition.Continue Reading

• MSP market rides M&A momentum into 2019

  Last year's mergers and acquisitions spree looks set to continue into 2019, as buyers look for geographic reach and skills that span multiple public cloud platforms.Continue Reading

• VMware partners craft managed services for AWS offering

  VMware Cloud on AWS: Partners are stepping up to provide managed services around the hybrid cloud offering that combines VMware's virtualization products and the AWS public cloud.Continue Reading

• 7 channel marketing strategy tips for 21st-century success

  Channel companies need to develop a marketing strategy that goes beyond word of mouth and vendors' programs. Those alone just don't cut it these days.Continue Reading

• Network design checklist: How to design a local area network

  Local area network design considerations for IT consultants range from IP default gateway redundancy to device standardization. Browse these tips iIf you are building a LAN.Continue Reading

• Network documentation checklist: 10 steps for channel partners

  Network documents can provide service providers with valuable insight when it's time to troubleshoot problems. Follow these 10 steps for a smooth documentation process.Continue Reading

• MSP cybersecurity concerns may require a business model retune

  Many managed service provider partners consider IT security an important revenue opportunity, but they may have to retool their offerings to address emerging threats.Continue Reading

• GDPR for MSPs: Channel partners question the law's reach

  Channel firms and customers outside the EU are still figuring out what they need to do to comply with GDPR personal data regulations, despite the law's May 2018 enactment.Continue Reading

• Virtual reality golf brings Trace3 into greenfield project

  A virtual reality golf center called on solutions provider Trace3 for technology infrastructure assistance with a greenfield deployment.Continue Reading

• Liability insurance policies: Tips for covering MSP businesses

  With the IT landscape growing more complex, liability insurance policies may be a necessity for MSPs. But MSPs should ensure they get the right coverage for their business model.Continue Reading

• partner account manager (PAM)

  A partner account manager is a job title within a vendor organization that uses channel partners to sell its products or services.Continue Reading

• managed hosting

  Managed hosting is an IT provisioning model in which a service provider leases dedicated servers and associated hardware to a single customer and manages those systems on the customer's behalf.Continue Reading

• Succession planning strategy: MSP execs consider the channel's future

  Have a succession planning strategy in place? If not, you're hardly alone. Get tips on why and what you should consider when planning for the future of your business.Continue Reading

• Device as a service set to expand for channel partners

  The device-as-a-service market is poised for growth as customers look to trim Capex, but channel partners may need to recast themselves if they want to serve as a DaaS provider.Continue Reading

• Container adoption: Startup, enterprise giant tap partners

  Startup MadHive and Yahoo Japan may not share much in common, but both hired channel partners to take on container tasks such as linking Kubernetes and OpenStack.Continue Reading

• Apple Authorized Service Provider program: ComputerCare's story

  ComputerCare, a member of the Apple Authorized Service Provider program, has found a role in servicing iOS devices and meeting the repair needs of mid-size businesses.Continue Reading

• MSP tools: Virteva consolidates monitoring for better visibility

  Virteva, an MSP, has consolidated a handful of monitoring tools to LogicMonitor as a single platform, a move that has resulted in improved visibility.Continue Reading

• AWS MSP partners weigh impact of AWS Managed Services

  The launch of AWS Managed Services was met with speculation over whether the offering might encroach on channel business opportunities, but partners report the service hasn't hurt them.Continue Reading

• Digital transformation for insurance firms drives IT business

  IT service firms are finding new opportunities as insurers pursue digital transformation initiatives and deploy emerging technologies such as robotic process automation.Continue Reading

• IT industry trends: Major vendors chart new courses

  Vendors Cisco, Citrix, Dell EMC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM and Microsoft are transforming to keep up with cloud and other IT industry trends.Continue Reading

• Former president Clinton shares advice at Autotask Community Live

  At the Autotask Community Live 2017 conference this week, managed service providers got some words of advice from former president Bill Clinton. Clinton, the 42nd president who was in office from ...Continue Reading

• Google cloud migration: Agosto helps e-commerce firm retool

  A Google channel partner's cloud adoption project used migration as a springboard to modernize a customer's core application via multi-tenancy and containerization.Continue Reading

• Four tips for selling to the manufacturing vertical

  Channel partners can succeed in the manufacturing market if they properly plan and initiate their relationships with customers in this industry segment, writes Mike Bloomfield.Continue Reading

• Recruitment techniques for IT channel companies

  Channel firms must rethink their recruitment techniques to win in today's competitive job market. Get tips for updating your channel recruitment strategy and retaining talent.Continue Reading

• How to protect your clients from ransomware infections

  Client education, advanced endpoint protection and image-based backups are some of the steps channel partners can encourage customers to take to thwart ransomware.Continue Reading

• Unclouding projects: Service providers weigh in on reverse migrations

  The rise of cloud computing adoption has given way to a countertrend: reverse cloud migrations. Service providers discuss the factors driving their customers' unclouding projects.Continue Reading

• Business influencers: What guides your IT channel decisions?

  Channel executives are responsible for making tough decisions that impact the fates of their companies. We asked a few company chiefs to name the top influencers that shape their leadership.Continue Reading

• Credentialing process helps IT service providers differentiate

  MSPs and other channel partners are pursuing rigorous audits and credentialing regimens as a way to stand out from their competitors in the IT services market.Continue Reading

• Building a partnership: How to link up with other service providers

  Partnering with your fellow IT service providers can help expand the services you offer clients without incurring the cost of hiring and retaining talent.Continue Reading

• Key Channel Market Trends: 2016

  As midyear approaches, there are several channel market trends-- from DRaaS to compliance -- shaping the partner landscape in 2016.Continue Reading

• Channel partner marketing: Offloading the work to specialists

  Channel partners, who have long bemoaned the challenges of marketing themselves, turn to outside specialists for help optimizing their website design and content.Continue Reading

• UC technology: Tips for channel partners

  In this Tech Buyer Snapshot installment, we examine purchasing priorities for unified communications technology. UC expert Stephen Tong weighs in.Continue Reading

• IT security tutorial: Channel partner tips for new tech

  In this IT security tutorial, we outline security concerns and mitigation strategies for software-defined networking, hyper-converged infrastructure and the Internet of Things.Continue Reading

• FASB lease accounting changes to impact channel

  FASB lease accounting changes will impact channel partners involved in IT leasing. Managed services could get a boost from the new standard.Continue Reading

• Five pitfalls in the merger and acquisition process

  Channel partners working through the merger and acquisition process must deal with cultural, financial and personnel issues before the ink is dry.Continue Reading

• The tradeoffs of partnering with managed mobility services providers

  The increasingly complicated world of enterprise mobility spells opportunity for channel partners, and partnering with a large managed mobility services provider may be the best way to overcome the high barrier of entry.Continue Reading

• Outmoded insurance agency software gets customer-oriented upgrade

  Insurance customers' demand for more personalized services results in an industry-wide movement to modernize outdated company software and systems.Continue Reading

• Fluke combines Visual TruView, OptiView XG for network performance monitoring

  Fluke unifies its Visual TruView network appliance and OptiView XG tablet for increased visibility into network performance monitoring at Interop.Continue Reading

• Managed services pricing models: Per-device vs. SLA-based approach

  A per-device and per-user pricing model is easy for MSPs, but experts caution it carries business risk and leads managed services to commoditization.Continue Reading

• Microsoft managed partner designation: What it takes, what it's worth

  A Microsoft managed partner designation can get you a warm body within Microsoft whose job it is to help you. Get info on how partners are selected.Continue Reading

• Growth best practices and key performance indicators for IT solution providers

  Business consultant Larry Schulze outlines key performance indicators for IT solution providers, including optimal cost and profitability percentages.Continue Reading

• Understanding the cloud service broker model

  Cloud service brokers have become essential for many customers and providers. Learn more about brokers' role, strategies and growth potential.Continue Reading

• How to sell a small business in the IT services, VAR space

  Get advice on how to sell a small business in the MSP and VAR space, including determining the business valuation and finding a potential buyer.Continue Reading

• How to mitigate risk associated with a customer's potential data breach

  Find out what steps to take to protect your business and reduce the risk associated with the inevitable data breach at a customer site.Continue Reading

• KPIs: Monitoring VAR business metrics for a better bottom line

  Find out how your peers are monitoring their VAR business metrics, identifying trends and making operational changes to improve the bottom line.Continue Reading

• The risk of using Windows kernel-mode drivers in systems management

  Windows kernel-mode drivers can pose risks if used in IT efficiency systems management tools.Continue Reading

• Forming a vSphere upgrade strategy: Upgrading vCenter Server and ESX, ESXi

  During the vSphere upgrade process you will need to upgrade your customer’s vCenter Server, ESX and ESXi hosts and virtual machines. Get the best upgrade methods in this chapter excerpt.Continue Reading

• More HP VARs dive into managed print services

  Hewlett-Packard's new mobile and cloud push boosts its MPS pitch to partners.Continue Reading

• Why VARs should get over fear of systems management

  Once thought of as a category to avoid, systems management software might be the next wave of opportunity for VARs.Continue Reading

• Configuring, implementing Logical Domains in Oracle Solaris 10

  Learn what separates Logical Domains from other hypervisors and use this excerpt to find out all the relevant information for VARs on domain implementation and configuration.Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2008 R2 editions and Hyper-V licensing FAQ

  Knowing the capabilities of all Windows Server 2008 R2 editions and how they pertain to Hyper-V licensing will prevent issues from popping up when selling Windows Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• Exchange Management Shell, Queue Viewer: Message tracking tools

  Learn how Exchange 2010 message tracking tools, such as Queue Viewer, allow solution providers to uncover potential mail flow issues in their customers' Exchange Server 2010 systems.Continue Reading

• Monitoring Exchange Server 2010 : Using event logs, ExBPA

  Using the Exchange Best Practices Analyzer (ExBPA) for an Exchange health check and monitoring event logs will help keep Exchange Server 2010 at peak performance.Continue Reading

• Hardware devices for Windows 7: Installation, management

  Ease Windows 7 management by knowing the different types of hardware devices, such as internal drives, that can be installed, and how to use Windows Update for driver downloads.Continue Reading

• Using the Disk Management MMC to manage Windows 7 disks

  The Disk Management MMC snap-in can simplify Windows 7 management by helping with tasks, such as converting disks from basic to dynamic or creating a new striped volume.Continue Reading

• MMC console management: Adding Windows 7 snap-ins

  From ActiveX Control to Task Scheduler, there are many Windows 7 snap-ins available. Check out the different user and configuration settings that manage a customer's MMC console.Continue Reading

• How to save Perfmon data using Windows 7 performance monitor

  There is a great deal of performance data to sort through in Windows 7, but the performance monitor uses data collector sets to allow you to view and analyze collected data.Continue Reading

• Windows task manager: Viewing Windows 7 processes and applications

  If applications or processes in a customer's Windows 7 operating system aren't responding, you can use the task manager to view, end and restart them.Continue Reading

• Using Remote Desktop Services Manager, RDS CAL

  Solutions providers can use the Remote Desktop Services Manager and its tab options to view user information and get expert advice on identifying and adding a RDS CAL.Continue Reading

• New virtual machine management using VMM, PowerShell

  Use this chapter excerpt to get tips for new virtual machine management, including how to add a managed host to Virtual Machine Manager by using PowerShell scripts.Continue Reading