If you are a living and breathing MSP, you couldn’t miss the recent news on ConnectWise. Let’s start with the acquisition.
SkyKick and Axcient
I knew the founders of SkyKick (Evan and Todd) when they worked on the SMB team at Microsoft and the broke out to start SkyKick in the early part of the 2000-teens.
I initially thought of them as a one-time use, one trick pony to migrate on-prem Exchange email to the cloud. That was its start but increasing it grew to be a mini-platform with Security Manager and other features and functions. I’ve been a friend of the family since day one and it’ll be interesting to see how they integrate with the larger ConnectWise platform. This is a Seattle-based company and I suspect it will stay right there with remote work and such.
Like many of you, I got in “early” in the SMB technology space. Who recalls when Axcient was called eFolder and based in Atlanta GA. Meanwhile, some executives in the Silicon Valley had an IT property called Axcient. Assuming there was some type of merger, the name changed to the current name and it is based in Denver, CO. I’m trying to figure out where the additive synergy from the acquisition is. (I thought ConnectWise already had a backup solution but please fact check me). That said, Axcient has an excellent reputation with MSPs.
Departure
Jason Magee
After five years as the ConnectWise CEO where he took over for the founder “Arnie” (I’ll just use the first name). Jason Magee is stepping down in the next few months to do other things and “spend time with family.” I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Jason several times (pictured below) and I found him to be even handed, competent and a “real CEO” in my book. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see him emerge again at a larger company. HE can handle it. He is being replaced by Manny Rivelo. I’ve not met Manny but will at IT Nation in November.
Jason and Harry
Speaking of which, let me know if you are going to IT Nation in November. Love to meet-up.