Editor's Notebook

  1. ASCII Outlines Roadmap For Members 6/3/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    The daylong Chicago ASCII Reseller Success Summit kicked off with some insight into the group’s roadmap, provided by Jerry Koutavas, president of the organization – but only after asking everyone to get our their business cards and network. It ws simply nonnegotiable.
  2. SMBs: Top Five Data Security Tips 5/27/2010
    When Symantec launched its Symantec Protection Suite Advanced Business Edition to secure and protect SMBs valuable business information, it also rolled out some advice for those customers.
  3. Does Cloud Mean A Change In Pricing Strategy? 5/18/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    One hindrance to the widespread deployment by MSPs of new technologies such as cloud computing or hosted IT solutions is their concern about how to protect their margins. One MSP caught between technology and making a profit has taken action. Rich Anderson, CEO of Next Level Café, says his company talked for nearly a year with peers about the pricing conundrum caused by server consolidation (virtualization) and off-premise solutions such as cloud-based archiving.
  4. Webinar: Does Cloud Mean A Change In Pricing Strategy? 5/18/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    One hindrance to the widespread deployment by MSPs of new technologies such as cloud computing or hosted IT solutions is their concern about how to protect their margins.
  5. Reflexion Unveils Third Option For Its Email Security Suite 4/21/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    With hosted and cloud solutions such a flashpoint for conversations at industry events lately, it didn't surprise me how many MSPs stopped to add their 10 cents about Reflexion's new encryption product while I chatted with Scott Barlow, the vendor's VP of product development.
  6. The Secret To Success? 4/20/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    Frustration over how to hire the right people is often expressed by the MSPs and VARs I talk with. They hire too quickly in order to just fill the empty seat, ending up with the best person they can find right then rather than having patience.
  7. Take Control Of Your Business — With A Little Help 3/5/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    If you have the technical aspects of your business under control, but are still struggling with those operational challenges such as a five-year business plan or a thorough marketing timeline, there is help out there. Two IT industry organizations, ASCII and CompTIA, are offering regional events focused on those business-planning tasks.
  8. Who Doesn't Love Easy Money? 2/24/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    If you are a VAR or MSP looking to expand your line card in order to deepen your relationship with customers, many new hosted or managed solutions can do just that. These products or services bring in extra revenue with almost no labor output on your part while creating "sticky" relationships with your customers - both new and old.
  9. Are You Ready For Recovery? 2/23/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    As 2010 begins, and conversations move from recession to recovery, managed services providers (MSPs) are among those gearing up for growth and, hopefully, expansion in the new year.
  10. Get Robin Robins' Advice - Free! 2/22/2010
    By Gennifer Biggs, security, storage, and managed services editor
    Lead generation fueled by a solid marketing strategy is a common stumbling block for MSPs, I hear that from them every day. But most business owners don't have the time or energy to read marketing books or invest in branding campaigns. The answer? Check out this free webinar by Robin Robins, marketing guru, at at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 2.