ChannelPro 5 Minute Roundup

While partners at this week's TD SYNNEX conference discuss booming IT market conditions, Erick and Rich discuss how to prepare for the inevitable slowdown to come, along with recent evidence that artificial intelligence isn't all that intelligent yet.

Articles referenced in this episode:

Four Facts of Life for the Channel Today, According to TD SYNNEX Partners

How Smart is AI After All These Years?

Erick and Rich discuss the potential merits of buying remote access software from a security vendor, why expressing gratitude to employees and customers is a win-win, and the many, many holidays besides Star Wars Day celebrated this week.

Articles referenced in this episode:

Keeper Security Launches Remote Access Solution

International Harry Potter Day marks Battle of Hogwarts date(link is external)

National Two Different Colored Shoes Day celebrates diversity and uniqueness

Erick and Rich discuss a managed SD-WAN solution that MSPs and managed service newcomers should look into, explore how and why to raise your rates due to inflation, and pity the fool who now holds the world record for balancing a chainsaw on your chin.

Articles referenced in this episode:

Fortinet, Ingram Micro, and Masergy Collaborate on Managed SD-WAN Solution

Idaho man balances chainsaw on his chin for 37 minutes, 56 seconds

Erick and Rich discuss how small MSPs can generate big financial results, explain why you need to know your company's market value even if you're not ready to sell it, and marvel at the Dubliner who lodged 34 complaints about airport noise a day for a year.

Articles referenced in this episode:

Small Teams, Big Results

Dublin Airport received 12,272 noise complaints from one person in 2021

Erick and Rich share hot takes on Kaseya's earth-shaking acquisition of Datto, discuss the smart way to deal with FUD when change comes to the vendor landscape, and greet some unexpected visitors, live and on the air!

Articles referenced in this episode:

Kaseya Acquiring Datto for $6.2 Billion

ChannelPro Exclusive: Kaseya Addresses Datto Acquisition

Erick and Rich ask why channel pros aren't talking about blockchain more, urge you to stop giving away services out of the kindness of your heart, and marvel at the people in Dallas who scanned a random QR code in the sky recently and got Rickrolled. Articles referenced in this episode:

Drones create giant QR code to 'Rickroll' the city of Dallas

Erick and Rich explore Cytracom's bold move into secure networking, explain why watching Google for local ransomware stories can help MSPs land new business, and question why anyone would want to take their house plants with them on vacation.

Articles referenced in this episode:

Cytracom Unveils Secure Network Connectivity Solution for MSPs

Kentucky hotel invites guests to bring their houseplants for the stay

Erick and Rich urge you to get in on compliance services even if you're a regulatory newbie, explain why dumping low margin services regularly is a good idea, and make plans to place an order for Iron Mike Tyson's ear-shaped cannabis edible.

Articles referenced in this episode:

Compliance Is for Everyone

Mike Tyson is Selling Bitten Ear-Shaped Edibles

Erick and Rich dive into the upbeat numbers in this year's ChannelPro State of the Channel report, explain why ticket escalation rate is a KPI, and ponder why anyone would think sneaking reptiles across the border in your pockets is a good plan.

Articles referenced in this episode:

2022 State of the Channel: Happy Days Are Here Again

Border authorities find 52 reptiles hidden in man's clothing

Erick and Rich tally up the reasons why direct-to-cloud BDR is on the rise, discuss a new and better way to sell BDR, and agree that the man who discovered a pearl worth thousands of dollars in his clam dinner is the good news story we need right now.

Articles referenced in this episode:

Axcient Adds Backup Verification to Direct-to-Cloud BDR Solution

New Jersey man finds large pearl in his clam at popular restaurant