Channel Insider's
Definitive Guide to Managed Services

Managed services is the fastest growing segment of the IT reseller channel and general business-to-business technology industry. Channel Insider has compiled its array of research and original reporting in this compendium of market insights, best practices and technology guidance for building and operating an efficient and profitable managed services business.

Market Data Survey: Switching Managed Services Platforms  A look at the frequency, reasons for and consequences of changing the software platforms that enablem remote monitoring and management of managed services delivered by solution providers. Managed Services: Top Vertical Markets for 2009 Managed services promises to be a cost-saving alternative to on-premise hardware and software solutions. According to a CompTIA survey, managed services demand will increase significantly in these five industrial sectors. Survey: MSP Market Expected to Get Crowded in 2009 CompTIA’s annual managed services best practices survey reveals optimism among MSPs that business and competition will increase in next 12 months. Top 10 Threats to Managed Services In our latest Channel Insider research, we wanted to find out what keeps solution providers up at night. Specifically, we asked which companies have offerings or positions that pose the greatest threat to your managed services business over the next 24 months? The following is a list of the top 10 vendors, distributions and services companies experienced MSPs fear most, along with the percentage of those who said they were looking over their shoulder at these worrisome competitors.    Resources, Support & Suppliers Guide to Cloud-based Storage Services The channel’s all abuzz about cloud storage these days, as the technology can offer cost savings, incredible scalability, high availability and the flexibility of on-demand capacity. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all technology, and there are a number of vendors emerging each with their own unique way of leveraging the technology. Managed Services News You Can Use Procurement as a Service Gains Traction with MSPs Rather than use engineering staff time for it, MSPs are outsourcing product procurement to the experts. Coming Soon: Managed Services for iPhones,Cell Phone Platforms Kaseya is developing remote management tools to give solution providers the ability to remotely configure and manage Apple iPhones, Microsoft Mobile and Symbian devices. Software Vendors, Solution Providers Eye SAAS Disruptive Threat A report from Forrester Research estimates that 14 percent of SMBs and 15 percent of large enterprises adopted software as a service in 2007. So it's no surprise that software vendors and IT solution providers are keeping an eye on the potential disruptive threat SAAS poses. No Sign of Letup for MSP Platform Round Robin Providers continue trying different vendors' platforms in their quest to find just the right one.

Knowledge Center Larry Walsh's 7 Laws of Managed Services If you want to succeed in services, you must understand the dynamics and limitations of the managed services market. These laws are the starting point. Perils of Switching MSP Platforms  Despite a high rate of switches among MSPs, the perils of moving from one platform to another are significant. MSPs: It's All About Business Model  Managed services has been about the technology to deliver remote management and maintenance. Today, services providers are becoming more focused on how to run their business well and deliver value to their customers. Their message: Forget the techie bells and whistles, focus on sales and marketing. 10 Tips for Launching an MSP Practice Plenty of VARs are excited by the prospect of overnight success in Managed Services. But leaping into the market can be a recipe for failure. Here are the key steps successful MSPs have identified to improve their chances. 9 Steps to Better Business Automation Professional services automation was designed to help businesses run better by automating task and process tracking. Solution providers have used PSA to help their clients, but haven't done well in using it themselves. These best practices will keep PSA from becoming another piece of expensive shelfware. Going Green with Managed Services Here are six types of green IT improvements that can be facilitated by managed services.   Automation is the Answer to Managed Services  To see real growth, MSPs need to invest in automation technology, such as monitoring and management, and standardize their processes, research shows.  Managed Services Success Still a Big Challenge Experienced MSPs say adopting the managed services model requires major cultural adjustments that trip up many solution providers.

 

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