The MSP Zone

Where do investors turn when the stock market, gold, and real estate no longer provide safety? Managed services. MSPs are becoming a safe bet for many investors looking to diversify and achieve solid returns.

Do MSPs have more liability if they host data? I don't own a data center; do I still need to get certified? Many MSPs have these questions. We will be discussing these topics, and more on today's program. There are many misconceptions when it comes to MSPs, data hosting, co-location, and how these components of a typical managed services practice are used.

Many organizations believe practicing good cyber hygiene is an impossible task. But it may be easier than you realize. Understanding the risks, developing a plan, and implementing effective and reasonable controls can help your organization flatten the cyber risk curve. MSP Zone Guest: Eran Farajun, executive vice president of Asigra

What is application whitelisting? Why is it needed? How can application whitelisting improve your internal MSP security as well as that of your clients? Join our guest Corey Munson as he describes the many advantages to a whitelisting security approach to protect MSPs and clients alike, especially amidst rapidly emerging trends such as BYOD and remote work.  MSP Zone Guest: Corey Munson, vice pres...

You've experienced a cyber breach. Now what do you do? This is a situation many organizations have never experienced, but likely will in the near future. Cyber attacks are on the rise and show no signs of decreasing. But, you can increase you chances of surviving a cyber attack by doing some simple things. Join cybersecurity expert and former FBI Special Agent Brent Watkins as he discusses effecti...

MSPs face more employees working remotely, and have more end-user customers dealing with remote work environments. What are the challenges and opportunities this presents to both MSPs and clients? We will discuss these topics, and more, on today’s program. Guest: Eran Farajun, executive vice president of Asigra

Everybody knows the risks of ransomware include a financial cost. But, are you factoring in all the costs? Should you pay if you are impacted by ransomware? Is it worth it?

Free trials, flexible terms, force majeure. What do these terms mean and how should your MSP practice put them into effect? We'll be discussing these topics, and more on today's episode. Guest: Rob Scott, partner at Scott & Scott LLP

There are many types of managed services pricing models being used today. Whatever model you use, risk should be accounted for somewhere in your pricing of managed services offerings. Towards that goal, risk-based pricing is an effective overlay to your existing pricing scheme and something every MSP should evaluate. Put differently, risk-based pricing is a necessary ingredient to whatever pricing...

For those of you not already delivering managed services around "IoT" devices, it might be ready for you to consider doing so. The market for IoT and security are projected to increase steadily over the next several years. Market demand for these services will further be fueled by increased remote worker environments globally.  MSPs need to be preparing for the following:  Remote worker support Io...

In an update from our previous episode on the CARES Act, The MSP Zone speaks with Courtney LaLone, principal with Bernard Robinson & Company, on how the program is doing and whether MSPs should seek out funding. In this episode we discuss the following:  2nd tranche of funding for the PPP program Which banks are more likely to fund PPP applications Forgiveness planning for MSPs Cash flow planning...

The MSP Zone talks with Stephen Sweett, president of Buchanan Technologies, an MSP with headquarters in Grapevine, TX, about the shift to remote work, the growth of their MSP help desk, and the outlook for MSPs in the next few months.  One of the discussion points includes the potential for MSPs to see shorter term contracts with clients, not because of weak demand for managed services, but becaus...

This is not your father's RMM tool. The phrase could be the unofficial tagline for Augmentt, a new company with deep ties to N-able.  In this episode of the MSP Zone, Derik Belair, CEO of Augmentt, discusses his deep experience in RMM software companies such as N-able and SolarWinds, and describes how monitoring and management of SaaS applications demands a new breed of MSP tools.  Belair offers h...

There are many ways an MSP can serve its customers. Education and training are a few examples of services which will have meaningful benefits to the clients and to the MSP.  Security training and education can be important tools for the MSP to service existing clients and win new ones. In this episode of the MSP Zone, we talk to cybersecurity expert Craig Taylor from CyberHoot about his top three...

MSPs have been using contracts for many years to structure and codify their managed services relationships with clients. One of the tools MSPs have been using quite effectively in the last 10-15 years is the master service agreement (MSA).  As MSAs have been more frequently employed in managed services relationships, there is undeniable change occurring in the MSP profession and specifically how M...

John Burgess, president of Mainstream Technologies, discusses the impact of COVID-19 and how he and other MSPs are doing. Inevitably, the economic recovery from quarantine will begin and we discuss this eventuality as well, and how MSPs should be positioned for success.  MSP Zone Guest: John Burgess, president of Mainstream Technologies

MSPs are facing a lot of change in the next few months. As MSPs are handling an increase in IT support requests by many clients, there could be a coming shake up within the break/fix community as these organizations struggle with cash flow and clients facing their own uncertain futures. One of the possible outcomes of this pandemic is that wages for managed services employees could be going down a...

Winning managed services deals means beginning with education. Education of clients and prospects is what will create the indelible bond and proverbial "trusted advisor" relationship between client and MSP.  Listen as we discuss: whether MSPs can afford to not be involved in security how MSPs can win more business through educating prospects what the future cybersecurity landscape will look like f...

PC Matic vice president Corey Munson talks to The MSP Zone about working remotely, how their MSP partners are doing in the fight against cybercrime, and what the economic recovery for MSPs and their clients will look like.

MSPAlliance Insights sits down (virtually) with RainTech owner Andrew Jahnke. RainTech is an MSP based in Colorado specializing in healthcare. Andrew shares his perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic, how it has impacted his MSP practice, how healthcare clients are dealing with the quarantine, and the optimistic predictions of what the recovery will look like for MSPs.

As millions of people all over the United States (and the world) fight this pandemic of COVID-19, the Federal government passed legislation designed to infuse the US market with liquidity. The CARES Act was signed into law last week and will be going into effect April 3, 2020. What is the CARES Act, what does it offer, and should MSPs (in the United States) take advantage? All good questions...MSP...

MSPs are facing a new challenge and opportunity as thousands of small and medium sized businesses are coming to grips with how to rapidly adopt a remote work model. Nearly the entire planet right now is trying to figure this out.  For MSPs, this presents a great opportunity to collaborate with clients (existing and new) on creating new, secure, remote work environments.

As the world economies shift rapidly towards remote work environments for the short term, new challenges emerge for businesses and organizations. Remote workers suddenly expected to work productively from remote locations, often with little training on the technologies, systems, and procedures needed to do so effectively.  At the same time, organizations are struggling with how to deploy and enabl...

MSPAlliance Insights discusses coronavirus and its impact on global business. We also discuss how MSPs can protect themselves (and their clients) against these global pandemics through business continuity planning, documentation, and training.

Most everyone acknowledges the human talent shortage within the managed services profession. This human capital shortage is not new, and it shows no signs of going away. So, what are growth-minded MSP owners and operators to do? Here are two available (although not necessarily simple) strategies for overcoming the human capital shortage so you can take your MSP practice to the next level of succes...