MSPmentor interviews Nimsoft CEO Gary Read. The topic: Nimsoft’s decision to acquire Cittio Inc., which had specialized in automated network and systems monitoring software. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. But the deal sets the stage for Nimsoft’s managed service providers and end-customers to more easily manage and trouble-shoot network topologies. Here’s the [...]

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In this episode of The VAR Guy Live: Podcast Edition, I speak with CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) VP Robert Biddle. We discuss the CompTIA Security Trustmark accreditation, which is designed for VARs, managed service providers, solutions providers, IT vendors and end-users. Biddle explains the difference between security certification and security accreditation, and also provides [...]

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During MSPmentor Live: Podcast Edition, I speak with David Schafran, president of Transformation Strategies Inc., a consulting firm that helps VARs transition to managed services. Also joining us is Michael Coopersmith, owner Integrated Technology Systems of New York City. We cover how  Schafran is helping Coopersmith transition his business for managed services. This is [...]

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During the Ingram Micro Venturetech Network conference in Orlando, Ingram CEO Greg Spierkel sat down with TheVARguy.com to discuss: (1) VAR partnering strategies among VTN members (2) the current recession compared to the dot-com implosion and (3) the continued expansion of Ingram Micro Seismic, the company’s managed services platform. Spierkel covered all that — and [...]

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The Cisco Unified Computing strategy is grabbing a lot of headlines. But are the products here today? Is this more than a server strategy? And what’s in it for partners? John Growdon, senior director, Go-to-Market Group, Cisco Worldwide Channels, provides some answers. The VAR Guy is updated multiple times daily. Don?t miss a single post. Subscribe [...]

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In today?s episode, Ingram Micro Seismic VP Justin Crotty describes his company’s growing Master MSP initiatives. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast covers the following five key topics: An Overview: the history of Ingram Micro Seismic What tools are VARs and MSPs demand? Ingram Micro Seismic’s 2008 growth and 2009 direction Software as a Service, including Exchange and SharePoint Economic realities vs. [...]

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In today?s episode, MSP Services Network (MSPSN) CEO Amy Luby describes her company?s position in the Master MSP market. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast covers the following five key topics: An Overview: the history of MSPSN MSPSN’s Online Community: What Is It MSPSN’s Services Desk MSPSN’s recent migration to a new administration tool Conferences, face to face events and training Check the [...]

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In today?s episode, Do IT Smarter President Lane Smith describes his company’s position in the Master MSP market. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast covers the following five key topics: An Overview: How Do IT Smarter Got Started Beyond hosting: What else Master MSPs offer The MSPAlliance’s Master MSP Certification Next moves for Do IT Smarter Check the MSPmentor Live: Podcast Center [...]

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In today?s episode, Virtual Administrator’s Chris Amori describes how the Master MSP is hosting Kaseya services for VARs and aspiring managed service providers. This MSPmentor Live: Podcast covers the following five key topics: An Overview: What Is Virtual Administrator? Hosting Kaseya: What does that mean? What Makes Virtual Administrator Unique in the Master MSP market? Emerging Rivals: Potentially competing [...]

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In today’s episode, Fonality CEO Chris Lyman discusses Asterisk, open source, the IP PBX market and Fonality’s partner strategy. More specifically, The VAR Guy Live: Podcast covers the following five key topics: The big picture: Is Fonality really an open source company? How are Fonality?s IP PBX products positioned? Is Fonality a cloud or on-premise solution? Channel partnerships, including [...]

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Welcome to The VAR Guy live for January 21, 2009. In this episode, Stephen Cho, Director of Google Apps Channels, describes the search company’s new partner program for Google Apps. My nine-minute discussion with Cho covers six key topics: The Google Apps Reseller Program: A general overview Partners: What types of companies are signing up for the Google [...]

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In this episode, Red Hat North American Channel Chief Roger Egan answers six key questions about Red Hat’s partner strategy for the new Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 and JBoss Middleware. Date Published: January 22, 2009 Key topics covered: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3: What?s new for partners? SystemTap: What is it any why do Red Hat partners care? The [...]

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Welcome to The VAR Guy Live: Podcast Edition. In this episode, Digium Director of Global Channel Sales Jim Butler answers five key questions about Asterisk (the open source IP PBX) and Digium’s partner strategy. Date Published: January 15, 2009 Podcast Edition: 001 Key topics covered: 1.    What?s driving demand for Asterisk? 2.    Free vs. paid Asterisk solutions: [...]

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Welcome to MSPmentor Live: Podcast edition. Episode #: 007 (May 29, 2008) Featured Guest: Justin Crotty, VP, Services, North America, Ingram Micro. Topics Covered: We explore Ingram Micro Seismic, the distributor?s portfolio of managed services offerings. How can VARs go to market with Seismic, how does it compare to MSP offerings from other distributors, and are managed services [...]

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Episode Date: June 19, 2008 Episode #: 008 MSPmentor Editorial Director Joe Panettieri interviews SugarCRM Co-founder and CEO John Roberts. In this discussion, we cover: 1. SugarCRM’s business and technology strategy, especially the role of open source in business applications 2. The growing number of customers that use SugarCRM in an on-demand or software-as-a-service (SaaS) configuration. 3. SugarCRM’s partnering strategy. 4. [...]

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Welcome to MSPmentor Live: Podcast edition. In this episode, I interview Dell?s Greg Davis, VP and GM, Americas Channel Program, about a range of issues (PartnerDirect, managed services, acquisitions, and plenty more). Tune in now? Episode #: 009 (August 27, 2008) Featured Guest: Greg Davis, VP and GM, Americas Channel Program, Dell Inc. Topics Covered: The podcast runs [...]

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Welcome to The VAR Guy Live: Podcast 001. In this episode, Novell Chief Marketing Officer responds to five key questions: SUSE Linux Sales: How fast are they growing, and what role does Novell?s Microsoft relationship play in that growth? Is Novell attracting new ISVs to SUSE Linux? Does Novell need to more clearly communicate the fact that it?s [...]

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