MSP Chat

Erick and Rich discuss why securing SaaS applications is harder than it ought to be and three techniques MSPs can use to up their cost tracking and management game. Then Rich is joined by Tim Conkle, CEO of The 20, for an insider’s take on the current M&A landscape in managed services, the pros and cons of selling to private equity, and what the future holds for smaller MSPs in an industry filled with bigger and bigger competitors. And finally, one last thing: Proof that mayonnaise makes everything better, including nuclear fusion. 

Discussed in this episode:
It’s all about APIs for SaaS Alerts
The 20’s VISION ’24 event site
Tim Conkle’s email address: [email protected]

Erick and Rich discuss why MSPs shouldn’t let generative AI’s recent slide toward Gartner’s Trough of Disillusionment stop them from investing in what will still—eventually—be a big potential money maker for them, as well as critical best practices for nailing the all-important new client onboarding process. Then they’re joined by Dave Sobel, host of the Business of Tech podcast, for a free-ranging conversation about benchmarking MSP performance, the future of SaaS management, vendor consolidation, and more. And finally, one last thing: Perfume for dogs. 

Discussed in this episode:
Dave Sobel’s Business of Tech podcast
Silicon Valley’s Trillion-Dollar Leap of FaithAI Infrastructure Spending Forecast to Be Over a Trillion Dollars Over the Next Five Years, According to Dell'Oro Group
S&P Global Market Intelligence Foresees Rapid Expansion of Generative AI Software Market by 2028 to $52.2 Billion
Canalys analyst Jay McBain on channel attitudes toward AI
‘Delicate, authentic, charismatic’: Dolce & Gabbana launches €99 dog perfume

Live from CompTIA ChannelCon 2024, Erick and Rich discuss the importance of finding time to research leading-edge technologies like IoT and blockchain and what vendors can do to earn the trust of MSPs. Then they’re joined by Carolyn April, CompTIA’s vice president of industry research, for more talk about the evolving nature of vendor-MSP relationships in today’s channel. And finally, one last thing: cocaine shark!

Discussed in this episode:
No, Really, IoT’s for Real This Time
Blockchain or Bust
CompTIA Volley (podcast)

Missed CompTIA’s ChannelCon event this year? You’re in luck. Erick and Rich have included the session about building successful relationships with members of the IT media (like Rich) in this episode of the show. That comes after a discussion of the MSP opportunity in AI infrastructure and compliance, and before one last thing: an AI robotics innovation that’s hard to beat for sheer nightmare-inducing creepiness.
 
Discussed in this episode:
The AI Goldmine Hiding in Plain Sight
A robot gets a face of living ‘skin’ that allows it to smile

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by SuperOps, Rich kicks things off by sharing some alarming findings from the new SuperOps State of MSP Efficiency 2024 report, including that a quarter of MSPs don’t have a PSA, over a third don’t track non-billable labor, and over half say they don’t have a way to measure operational efficiency. Erick’s tip of the week then explains why those facts are holding MSPs back and what to do about it. Then your hosts are joined by SuperOps channel chief Juan Fernandez and Nancy Henriquez, the company’s head of U.S. community, for a conversation about the meaning and value of business intelligence for MSPs that may change how you define that term going forward. And finally, one last thing: A visit with Sara, the AI bartender. 

Discussed in this episode:
SuperOps State of MSP Efficiency 2024 Report
SuperOps partners with Pax8 to become the first PSA-RMM platform on the marketplace
Screen-shots anyone? AI bartender debuted in hotel near Disney World

Erick and Rich discuss the coming “supercycle” of PC sales and three techniques MSPs can use to manage remote employees. Then they’re joined by Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, vice president of the Cisco Partner Program, and Ken Seitz, Cisco’s senior director of partner managed and XaaS sales, for a discussion of underleveraged revenue opportunities in security, networking, and beyond, plus the role partner programs can play in helping MSPs pursue them. And finally, one last thing: How a potty-mouthed parrot found a new loving, home.
 
Discussed in this episode:
Canalys analyst Jay McBain on the PC sales “supercycle”
The Cisco partner program
Cisco partner managed services
Cisco partners LinkedIn site
Elisabeth De Dobbeleer on LinkedIn
Ken Seitz on LinkedIn

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Acronis and its new MSP Academy, Erick and Rich discuss how the XDR solution Acronis recently introduced underscores important cybersecurity trends and three tactics for overcoming the ongoing shortage of MSP talent. Then they’re joined by Acronis President Gaidar Magdanurov for an in-depth conversation about the value of education for MSPs and how vendors can help their partners address education pain points and opportunities. And finally, one last thing: if you’ve been putting something off until hippos fly, that day has now arrived. 

Discussed in this episode:
Acronis joins the XDR club
Acronis MSP Academy
Hippos might fly: UK research discovers animal can get airborne

Erick and Rich discuss why MSPs should give outsourcing some of their tech work overseas a second look, and the secrets to preventing project creep and seep. Then Rich is joined by MJ Shoer, CompTIA’s Chief Community Officer, and CompTIA members John Harden and Carrie Green to discuss the power of community in the SMB channel. And finally, one last thing: the surprisingly long tail enjoyed by floppy disks in Japan and Germany. 

Discussed in this episode:
Channelholic: Going global gets a look
The Secret to Building Winning Global Teams: How to Leverage Offshore Talent to Exponentially Increase Profitability and Valuation, by Sunny Kaila, CEO, IT By Design
5 Questions with John Harden: 2024 CompTIA Community North America Future Leader Award Winner
5 Questions with Carrie Green: 2024 CompTIA Community North America Community Leadership Award Winner
CompTIA ChannelCon 2024 home page and registration

Erick and Rich discuss Pax8’s budding IT management stack and how MSPs can keep pace with evolving customer expectations. Then they’re joined by Kaseya CEO Fred Voccola for a wide-ranging conversation about trends in security and AI, the initial market reception to the Kaseya 365 solution introduced earlier this year, and the “monster, monster, monster” announcement Kaseya will make in October. And finally, one last thing: why Erick and Rich may be accessories to a copyright infringement crime. 

Discussed in this episode:
Pax8’s first IT management stack
Follow-up post on Pax8’s IT management stack
What’s Bigger Than Kaseya 365?AI’s Most Ambitious Music Generators Accused of ‘Massive’ Infringement In New Lawsuit
Episode 20: Cracking the Code on MSP Relationships (the part about Suno begins around the 1:02:50 mark)

Break out the fireworks! Erick and Rich are joined by Channel Mastered PR guru Bill Robbins to dispel common misconceptions about public relations and lost opportunities to benefit from it. That comes after a discussion of what the coming appearance of “mega MSPs” means for smaller ones and three smart ways for MSPs of any size to differentiate themselves from competitors. And finally, one last thing: why people lined up for hours in Boston to see a very stinky flower. 

Discussed in this episode:
The Mega MSPs Are Coming
Six Channel PR Misperceptions You MUST Avoid