MSP Chat

Erick and Rich discuss Ingram Micro’s platform-based strategy for driving growth and winning partner loyalty, as well as three proven techniques MSPs can use to build credibility with sales prospects. Then they’re joined by Nick Heddy, president and chief commerce officer of Pax8, for an insider’s look at why online marketplaces matter and how MSPs should pick the right one to go deep with. And fi...

Erick and Rich discuss what research from CompTIA implies about the year ahead for the channel in AI, plus three proven strategies for navigating client budget constraints. Then they’re joined by compliance guru Mike Semel for a deep dive look at what the recently published CMMC final rule means for MSPs. And finally, one last thing: The lamest excuse ever given for failing to return a rental car...

Welcome to 2025! Erick and Rich kick off the year by discussing research from last month showing just how much MSPs value platforms, explaining how to use LinkedIn Sales Navigator to generate leads without cold calling, and sharing New Years resolutions for themselves and the channel. And finally, one last thing: A look back at last year’s predictably chaotic Santa Claus bar crawl.  Discussed in t...

Erick and Rich discuss what agentic AI will mean to MSPs and three techniques for getting more from your vendor relationships. Then they’re joined by attorney Brad Gross for a conversation about legal New Year’s resolutions every MSP should adopt. And finally, one last thing: a report on who won this year’s Microsoft Excel World Championship.  Discussed in this episode: The Agents Are Coming Brad...

Don’t worry. Listening to this week's episode of MSP Chat will be insightful rather than painful. Erick and Rich discuss what a new collaboration agreement between Ingram Micro and AWS Marketplace says about marketplaces and MSPs generally, plus three tips to get end users bought into purchasing advanced security services by keeping them apprised of the latest cyber threats. Then they're joined by...

Did you know that the average MSP bundle includes 13 product categories? Erick and Rich discuss that and a host of other research insights in this episode with Colin Knox, CEO of Gradient MSP. They also dive into the hype and reality of agentic AI and three critical nuances to delivering co-managed IT services. And finally, one last thing: proof that generative AI is the slimiest marketer on Earth...

In what’s fast becoming an annual Thanksgiving week tradition, Erick and share three semi-serious things they’re each thankful for in 2024, from the job security provided by bad password hygiene to having a job not imperiled by AI. And finally, one last thing: The shocking number of people who have had a major appliance quit on them while preparing a holiday dinner (and why you might want to think...

Don’t worry, Rich hasn’t acquired a serious smoking habit recently. It just sounds like he has, because after five straight weeks on the road his voice has quit on him. That didn’t stop him and Erick from diving into how communities like TD SYNNEX CommunitySolv can accelerate go-to-market ecosystem growth, though, and why every MSP should fire their worst customers regularly. Then Rich is joined b...

Live from the ChannelPro Defend West event in Newport Beach, Calif., Erick and Rich discuss a quietly weighty new “Automation as a Service” offering from RPA vendor Rewst and how rigorous documentation can pay off big during M&A negotiations. Then Rich is joined by MSP and brand strategist Lisa Shorr to explore five key lessons you’ll learn from her new book, Your B.R.A.N.D. Unleashed: 9 Prove...

No actual cussing on this episode. Just Erick and Rich discussing Pax8’s new partner program and essential service quality KPIs every MSP should track. Then they’re joined by Rayanne Buchianico of ABC Solutions for a conversation about CFOs and why way more MSPs should have one. And finally, one last thing: An AI hallucination that left a lot of Dubliners disappointed on Halloween. Discussed in th...

Live from DattoCon 2024 in Miami, Erick and Rich discuss the new Kaseya 365 User security solution and three hiring practices that will set new employees up for long-term success. Then they’re joined by Mike Puglia, the general manager of Kaseya’s security suite, to talk some more about Kaseya 365 User, the new DNS and web filtering features in Kaseya 365 Endpoint, AI, and more. And finally, one l...

Erick and Rich discuss how MSPs can profit from pursuing the same ecosystem strategy that ConnectWise and N-able use to compete in the market for managed services suites, and how a disciplined approach to change management can help MSPs make big strategic initiatives like building an ecosystem manageable. Then they’re joined by Mike Psenka, president and CEO of project management vendor Moovila, f...

Erick and Rich discuss new data from TD SYNNEX suggesting that while AI may be where the growth is in managed services security’s still where the money is, as well as how MSPs can use SLAs and KPIs to drive clients toward bigger, more expensive service bundles. Then they’re joined by Dave Russell, SVP of enterprise strategy at data protection heavyweight Veeam, for an insightful look at the blurri...

Erick and Rich discuss a wave of private equity-funded vendor M&A activity due in 2025 and what it means for MSPs, as well as advice for building a strong company culture. Then they’re joined by Sam Valme of AvePoint for a conversation about AI-related opportunities for MSPs in data management. And finally, one last thing: a new AI-powered ETF that uses an LLM trained on the wisdom of Warren B...

Erick and Rich discuss why private equity firm Thoma Bravo says Manny Rivelo is the right choice to be ConnectWise’s new CEO and three tips for improving customer retention. Then they’re joined by Sunny Kaila, CEO of IT By Design, to discuss his new book on how overseas technical workers can help MSPs grow faster, increase profits, and raise their valuation. And finally, one last thing: a new AI t...

Erick and Rich discuss what ConnectWise buying Axcient and SkyKick says about the future of managed services suites and techniques for optimizing service delivery. Then in a two-part interview segment they’re joined first by Corey Kirkendoll of 5K Technical Services and Brian Weiss of ITECH Solutions for a look at how two leading-edge MSPs are incorporating AI into their client service roster. And...

Rich explains the valuation-growing logic of leveraging overseas technical resources and the competitive dangers of not doing so. Erick then shares some concrete success tips based on his use of offshore employees years ago in his MSP days, and Rich speaks with Channel Program CEO Kevin Lancaster about strategies both vendors and MSPs can use to forge stronger, more successful relationships. And f...

Erick and Rich discuss how recent news from ScalePad underscores the growing trend toward managed service tool makers building integrated platforms with shared data layers and why it matters, as well as three ways MSPs can differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. Then, in an MSP Chat first, Erick goes from co-host to interview guest for a segment in which Rich asks him to share hidden ge...

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Sxipher, Erick and Rich discuss how integrated MSP tool stacks appear to produce higher sale valuations and how and why to get serious about IoT management. Then they’re joined by Christophe Reglat, CEO of Sxipher, and Lisa Bryant, Sxipher’s CRO, to explore the pen test challenge and opportunity for MSPs and the value of integration in cybers...

Erick and Rich discuss why it’s not just smaller MSPs buying into MDR services and other outsourced security offerings and three keys to effective communication with clients. Then they’re joined by West McDonald of AI consultancy GoWest.ai to discuss making real money in AI through business process optimization. And finally, one last thing: Evidence that raccoons have trouble distinguishing Tesla...

Erick and Rich discuss why the time for MSPs to get serious about online marketplaces is now and three tips for managing growth. Then Rich is joined by Colleen Kapase, Google’s global channel chief, and Sharon Prosser, Google’s VP of SMB cloud sales, for a view from atop one of the world’s largest tech companies on the opportunity for MSPs in AI. And finally, one last thing: Hellmann’s says everyt...

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 fil...

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-rangin...

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 thi...

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-induc...