Blog

In a recent chit-chat at IT EXPO in Fort Lauderdale, FL, I pulled Michael Slater, Technical Solutions Manager (PBX, UCaaS) from his busy SherWeb booth to discuss evolving partner demographics.

The context was what was the basic demographic at the show but his insights extend further into the industry itself.

Well-known community member Josh Freifield is back running AXONTECH, his Southern California managed services provider (MSP) firm. After a two year hiatus where Freifield served a large MSP serving enterprise clients, Freifield is solidly back in the small and medium business (SMB) space for which is best known.

It’s here – the annual Ingram Cloud conference for resellers, Managed Services Providers (MSPs), vendors and other stakeholders. It’s always a busy few days and an essential attend to discover the near-, mid- and long-term Ingram Micro product and services roadmap plus a wee bit of socialization thrown in.

Reporting that the small and medium business (SMB) managed services provider (MSP) community’s sad demise are greatly exaggerated! On my recent trip to the Silicon Valley just south of San Francisco, I ZEROED on trying to get together with long-time community members for a few reasons.

Our favorite “thinking man” Peter Tsai (Sr. Technology Analytst, Spiceworks) carved out a few mins recently to discuss Spicework’s new study on cyber insurance. This is important to the SMB Nation community of managed services providers (MSP) who are on a death march to add more solutions to balance products/services typically delivered to clients via the monthly recurring revenue model.

Rob Leon’s two-year business/technical blog is starting to pay dividends. A well-know renaissance man who since 2004 has worked on the managed services provider (MSP) and the ISV side. So he’s well armed to offer insights and analysis.

Welcome to 2019! We’ve crafted a special event for SMB Nation peeps to participate in. It’s an MSP Makeover at your location with yours truly for one MSP that wins our event. There is absolutely no cost to you.

A last fond look on Tech Tuesday (Northwest Digital News) at the recently completed IBM PartnerWorld and THINK 2019 combo conference. special mention of IBM diversity

Long-time SMB Nation member Frank Ohlhorst, respected analyst and test labber (he is still very technical), shares deep insights into the IBM Think 2019 conference.  You’ll be treated to thoughts on the IBM managed security services provider (MSSP) program elevating traditional managed services providers (MSP). Follow that with a tip of the hat to Watson and AI. And we end talking blockchain.

We seek to lead by example. Technology professionals know the transformation motion well to stay current and relevant. With the startup/start over mentality in our community building efforts, we are proud to announce the launch of Microsoft 365 Nation (M365nation)!

What is M365nation?

Independent. First and foremost we are an outside-looking-in community of Microsoft 365 and Office 365 enthusiasts who provide you deep independent insights and visibility into a 365 world.   

The concept is old but the idea always feels new: cause marketing. Take one part business motivation and one part altruism and you have the halo effect of cause marketing. Pick a cause, almost any cause, and tie your marketing messaging and activities to it.