ARTICLES BY MIKE MONOCELLO
Where Retail IT VARs Should Focus In 2014
I’m not a fan of articles where the writer uses their “wisdom” to make educated guesses and then emphatically recommends you take actions that could affect your business adversely. I’d rather leverage research and real-world data to make statements you can feel more confident about embracing.
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Why Increased Profitability Might Be Out Of Your Reach
If you’re a VAR or integrator looking to become more profitable, check this out. I attended a lot of trade shows and partner conferences focused on managed services this fall and sat through a ton of educational sessions. Something that really jumped out at me about MSPs is their focus on business metrics.
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Is 2014 The Beginning Of The End?
Before you jump to the conclusion that this is a doom-and-gloom article, let me promise you it isn’t. It’s a story about opportunity. True, where there’s opportunity, there’s often the other side of the coin where weakness and threats lie. My goal, and that of Business Solutions, is to keep readers like you on the opportunity side of business. I want you profitable and thriving in 2014 and into 2015.
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Restaurant / Hospitality Tablet POS Comparison
The restaurant industry has been quick to show interest in tablet POS solutions and software developers (both preexisting and start-ups) have been quick to react by flooding the market with a variety of tablet POS apps and full-blown software solutions.
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Dropbox' Move Into The Enterprise: Your Worst Nightmare Or Killer Opportunity?
While, in the past, MSPs sought to talk customers out of using Dropbox in place of more robust solutions, it seems that the company is poised to make a move into the enterprise realm. In fact, an article by Forbes claims that such a move is necessary if the company plans to hit the growth numbers investors have expected.
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Old School Solutions Providers Need A Renaissance ... Or Retirement
Sometimes I wonder if I sound like a broken record to readers. “Expand your line card by selling complementary technologies to existing customers. Adopt the as-a-Service model to build a predictable revenue stream and maximize profitability.” When you boil down almost every article in Business Solutions, you should find one or both of those messages.
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Make 2014 A Banner Year. Here's How.
Before you know it, we’ll be ringing in the new year. You might be one of those ambitious people who make resolutions to better yourself personally. If so, kudos to you! But, have you ever considered a resolution to improve your business?
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Curious VAR's Guide To Expanding Your Product Portfolio
At the beginning of the month I attended SYNNEX' National Conference in Greenville, SC. I really enjoy this event because it's not focused on one vertical or type of solution. Rather, you get a chance to see and hear about everything from servers, printers, and tablets to healthcare, education, and government. For those VARs open-minded enough to be looking for the next big opportunity, the expo floor of this broad event is the place...
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Let The As-a-Service Model Invigorate Your Tired Business
The definition of invigorate is to revitalize, energize, revive, and enliven. That’s the as-a-service model, isn’t it? That’s what a recurring revenue stream can do for your business. It can revitalize and even revive a struggling company to change from month-to-month or day-to-day financially to being in a position of predictable revenue for planning and growth. It can energize and enliven business owners...
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SYNNEX Keynote Herm Edwards Shares NFL Lessons That Resonate With Break/Fix VARs
I’ve been to my share of industry conferences and have sat through my share of keynote speakers. So, when I saw that Herm Edwards, ESPN analyst and former NFL coach and player, was speaking, I expected a speech filled with touching and humorous NFL stories tied to life lessons and motivational wisdom. Edwards delivered all that, but in a way that exceeded my expectations.
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