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Manage

Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

• MSSP automation amps managed service delivery, opens markets

  MSSPs are updating and broadening their technology stacks, emphasizing automation to break security service price barriers and reach new clients in a competitive market. Continue Reading

• managed service provider (MSP)

  A managed service provider (MSP) is a third-party company that remotely manages a customer's information technology (IT) infrastructure and end-user systems. Continue Reading

• Generative AI upskilling demands multiple methods, partners

  Global IT consultancies take a multilayered approach to GenAI training by developing in-house programs, partnering with tech vendors and tapping online training platforms. Continue Reading

• Partners' generative AI training plans aim for 1M+ employees

  IT service providers are upskilling a large portion of their workforces on the emerging technology. The campaign seeks to boost GenAI credibility with customers and tech vendors. Continue Reading

• 7 ways service providers drive lasting transformation success

  Attention to people, process, organizational culture and reward systems preserve digital change over the long haul. Here are seven approaches to keep in mind. Continue Reading

• IT service execs point to 5 core zero-trust questions

  A partner-customer dialog around zero trust should focus on the basics of organizational awareness, upskilling, funding, technical tooling and user experience.Continue Reading

• Health of digital transformation: Consulting firms list issues

  Digital transformation can take too long and fail to deliver. Root causes include lack of focus, cultural barriers and technical challenges, according to IT services executives.Continue Reading

• Partners see growth in maturing on-premises cloud technology

  Colocation, data-center-as-a-service offerings and cloud-like consumption models offer customers alternatives -- or adjuncts -- to public cloud platforms.Continue Reading

• 5 ways to improve MSP marketing and sales

  Review these tips to get a better understanding of the people, process and tools you'll need to bolster what has been a traditional weakness among service providers.Continue Reading

• Channel partners prepare data analytics managed services

  Customers may not fully understand AI and machine learning technology yet, but channel partners have been building their expertise to make the use cases a reality for clients.Continue Reading

• Deloitte software engineering gets global boost

  Recent acquisitions help the consultancy pursue 24/7 software sprints to meet customer demand for digitalization and faster product delivery cycles.Continue Reading

• Keeping talent may call for apprenticeships, training

  Service providers struggling with conventional employee hiring and retention approaches may need to pursue alternate routes, industry executives said.Continue Reading

• managed IT service

  A managed IT service is an information technology (IT) task provided by a third-party contractor and delivered to a customer.Continue Reading

• How cloud consultants execute a product development strategy

  Creating intellectual property can help partners meet soaring demand for cloud services, differentiate their offerings and boost their appeal to investors.Continue Reading

• 4 tips for managing client relationships in a virtual world

  With many businesses opting to rely on remote work technologies, channel partners need new strategies for managing client relationships.Continue Reading

• Co-managed IT support sees demand in the remote work era

  As businesses weather the pandemic, many organizations' IT departments find themselves pushed to the limits and in need of outside help. Enter co-managed IT support services.Continue Reading

• Unified communications managed services evolve amid pandemic

  Service-level agreements, management layers, incident tracking and governance are all part of the evolving cloud communications service provider business model.Continue Reading

• MSPs tap Red Hat Ansible for managed services automation

  IT services providers have deployed the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform to minimize repetitive work and boost productivity -- even in uncertain times.Continue Reading

• Cisco partners back software push, EA acceleration

  Software development, simplicity and platforms are among the current channel watchwords at Cisco. Partners share their views on the vendor's latest initiatives.Continue Reading

• 5 tips for building a successful MSP marketing strategy

  MSPs need to develop a marketing strategy if they hope to grow beyond the startup stage. Industry executives share their views on everything to include in a marketing approach.Continue Reading

• Key concepts of the MSP sales process

  To grow a managed service provider business, companies must develop a consistent MSP sales process. Use these tips to build a strong sales arm for your business.Continue Reading

• Tips for executing an SAP S/4HANA brownfield implementation

  Executing an ECC-to-S/4HANA brownfield migration involves tools such as SAP's Maintenance Planner and Software Update Manager. Read on for insight into brownfield conversions.Continue Reading

• How to plan an SAP S/4HANA brownfield migration

  SAP S/4HANA brownfield migrations aim to convert existing SAP environments without reimplementation. Find out how to prepare for this type of conversion.Continue Reading

• Need for data management frameworks opens channel opportunities

  Organizations with weak data management policies provide partners with opportunities to offer support. Insight Enterprises explains how it helps clients get a handle on their data.Continue Reading

• How to transform your existing MSP and be more competitive

  We know what a brand-new MSP needs to get off the ground today, but Dave looks at what an existing managed service provider needs to adapt and succeed.Continue Reading

• Remote workforce management strategies for MSPs

  Channel partners have been rethinking employee productivity, collaboration and skills development. Learn how Ensono, SADA Systems and AllCloud have adjusted their approaches.Continue Reading

• Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)

  The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is a component of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) that works with defense contractors to ensure government services and supplies are delivered on time, come at the expected cost and satisfy...Continue Reading

• MBX Systems reinvents itself in computer hardware manufacturing

  Twenty-five-year-old MBX Systems, a computer hardware manufacturer, is an example of how technology companies can continually adapt to the ever-changing marketplace. In 1995, the organization ...Continue Reading

• Cognilytica expands on CRISP DM model for AI project management

  As AI projects become commonplace, channel partners may need to find a way to manage them. Cognilytica offers one approach that draws upon the CRISP DM modelContinue Reading

• MSP software takes a different turn in ServiceNow-LogicMonitor link

  MSP software comes in various forms and combinations. Some larger MSPs are adopting ServiceNow and LogicMonitor to automate core business functions.Continue Reading

• Self-service analytics at Accenture boosts knowledge workers

  Accenture's enterprise analytics and AI models are helping the firm on a number of fronts, including determining sales opportunities, pricing deals and complying with internal and customer expense policies.Continue Reading

• Keep a digital transformation strategy humming with these practices

  A digital transformation strategy starts with a client's vision and a focus on business outcomes. Find out what's working for Insight Enterprises and its clients.Continue Reading

• Managed services companies upbeat despite economic signals

  At MSPWorld, managed services executives expressed guarded optimism regarding MSP market prospects and growth potential, despite some economic concerns.Continue Reading

• Hosted private cloud speeds Epic EMR system rollout

  A healthcare firm faced the daunting deadline challenge of deploying an Epic EMR system in eight months. US Signal's hosted private cloud helped the client beat the clock.Continue Reading

• How to manage Windows 7 user accounts and groups

  Whether your customers operate in a workgroup or a domain/Active Directory environment, user account setup and group memberships control their rights, permissions and roles.Continue Reading

• How to revamp your managed services pricing for predictable revenue

  Many MSPs still rely heavily on an hourly billing rate and cost-plus pricing. Michael Backers, an MSPAlliance board member, offers advice on moving to managed services pricing.Continue Reading

• Network design checklist: How to design a local area network

  Local area network design considerations for IT consultants range from IP default gateway redundancy to device standardization. Browse these tips iIf you are building a LAN.Continue Reading

• Network documentation checklist: 10 steps for channel partners

  Network documents can provide service providers with valuable insight when it's time to troubleshoot problems. Follow these 10 steps for a smooth documentation process.Continue Reading

• partner account manager (PAM)

  A partner account manager is a job title within a vendor organization that uses channel partners to sell its products or services.Continue Reading

• managed hosting

  Managed hosting is an IT provisioning model in which a service provider leases dedicated servers and associated hardware to a single customer and manages those systems on the customer's behalf.Continue Reading

• Apple Authorized Service Provider program: ComputerCare's story

  ComputerCare, a member of the Apple Authorized Service Provider program, has found a role in servicing iOS devices and meeting the repair needs of mid-size businesses.Continue Reading

• Four tips for selling to the manufacturing vertical

  Channel partners can succeed in the manufacturing market if they properly plan and initiate their relationships with customers in this industry segment, writes Mike Bloomfield.Continue Reading

• Business influencers: What guides your IT channel decisions?

  Channel executives are responsible for making tough decisions that impact the fates of their companies. We asked a few company chiefs to name the top influencers that shape their leadership.Continue Reading

• UC technology: Tips for channel partners

  In this Tech Buyer Snapshot installment, we examine purchasing priorities for unified communications technology. UC expert Stephen Tong weighs in.Continue Reading

• Outmoded insurance agency software gets customer-oriented upgrade

  Insurance customers' demand for more personalized services results in an industry-wide movement to modernize outdated company software and systems.Continue Reading

• Fluke combines Visual TruView, OptiView XG for network performance monitoring

  Fluke unifies its Visual TruView network appliance and OptiView XG tablet for increased visibility into network performance monitoring at Interop.Continue Reading

• Managed services pricing models: Per-device vs. SLA-based approach

  A per-device and per-user pricing model is easy for MSPs, but experts caution it carries business risk and leads managed services to commoditization.Continue Reading

• Microsoft managed partner designation: What it takes, what it's worth

  A Microsoft managed partner designation can get you a warm body within Microsoft whose job it is to help you. Get info on how partners are selected.Continue Reading

• Growth best practices and key performance indicators for IT solution providers

  Business consultant Larry Schulze outlines key performance indicators for IT solution providers, including optimal cost and profitability percentages.Continue Reading

• How to sell a small business in the IT services, VAR space

  Get advice on how to sell a small business in the MSP and VAR space, including determining the business valuation and finding a potential buyer.Continue Reading

• How to mitigate risk associated with a customer's potential data breach

  Find out what steps to take to protect your business and reduce the risk associated with the inevitable data breach at a customer site.Continue Reading

• Forming a vSphere upgrade strategy: Upgrading vCenter Server and ESX, ESXi

  During the vSphere upgrade process you will need to upgrade your customer’s vCenter Server, ESX and ESXi hosts and virtual machines. Get the best upgrade methods in this chapter excerpt.Continue Reading

• More HP VARs dive into managed print services

  Hewlett-Packard's new mobile and cloud push boosts its MPS pitch to partners.Continue Reading

• Configuring, implementing Logical Domains in Oracle Solaris 10

  Learn what separates Logical Domains from other hypervisors and use this excerpt to find out all the relevant information for VARs on domain implementation and configuration.Continue Reading

• Exchange Management Shell, Queue Viewer: Message tracking tools

  Learn how Exchange 2010 message tracking tools, such as Queue Viewer, allow solution providers to uncover potential mail flow issues in their customers' Exchange Server 2010 systems.Continue Reading

• Monitoring Exchange Server 2010 : Using event logs, ExBPA

  Using the Exchange Best Practices Analyzer (ExBPA) for an Exchange health check and monitoring event logs will help keep Exchange Server 2010 at peak performance.Continue Reading

• MMC console management: Adding Windows 7 snap-ins

  From ActiveX Control to Task Scheduler, there are many Windows 7 snap-ins available. Check out the different user and configuration settings that manage a customer's MMC console.Continue Reading

• How to save Perfmon data using Windows 7 performance monitor

  There is a great deal of performance data to sort through in Windows 7, but the performance monitor uses data collector sets to allow you to view and analyze collected data.Continue Reading

• Windows task manager: Viewing Windows 7 processes and applications

  If applications or processes in a customer's Windows 7 operating system aren't responding, you can use the task manager to view, end and restart them.Continue Reading

• Using Remote Desktop Services Manager, RDS CAL

  Solutions providers can use the Remote Desktop Services Manager and its tab options to view user information and get expert advice on identifying and adding a RDS CAL.Continue Reading

• New virtual machine management using VMM, PowerShell

  Use this chapter excerpt to get tips for new virtual machine management, including how to add a managed host to Virtual Machine Manager by using PowerShell scripts.Continue Reading

• Windows 7 system monitoring: Resource Monitor, Performance Monitor

  Help your customers get a handle on PC resource usage and bottlenecks with two built-in Windows 7 system monitoring tools: Resource Monitor and Performance Monitor.Continue Reading

• IT systems management: The production acceptance process

  This chapter excerpt on IT systems management explains how solutions providers can benefit from production acceptance and details the steps to effective implementation.Continue Reading

• Windows 7 system diagnostic reports: Using Performance Monitor

  Using the Performance Monitor, solutions providers can view Windows 7 system diagnostic reports to resolve performance issues and prevent problems before they occur.Continue Reading

• Resolving a Windows 7 crash or freeze

  This FAQ helps solutions providers give users the best assistance when Windows 7 issues arise, such as the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), crashes and random freezes.Continue Reading

• Monitoring VMware vSphere performance using alarms

  Find out how to create and manage alarms using vCenter Server and learn the steps to configuring vCenter Server for email and notifications.Continue Reading

• Monitoring vSphere performance with vCenter Server performance graphs

  vCenter Server's performance graphs provide solutions providers with detailed information on vSphere performance, including CPU, memory, disk, network and system data.Continue Reading

• Monitoring vSphere CPU and memory usage

  Use this chapter excerpt to learn how to create real-time graphs for virtual machines, CPU consumption and memory usage.Continue Reading

• Monitoring vSphere performance with command-line tools

  Use this chapter excerpt to learn about VMware's command-line utilities that can help solutions providers with monitoring customers' performance and resource usage.Continue Reading

• Installing and managing Hyper-V on Windows Server 2008 Server Core

  Follow the necessary steps to install Hyper-V on Windows Server 2008 Server Core and learn how to remotely manage your customers' Hyper-V environments.Continue Reading

• Monitoring Hyper-V performance and utilizing System Center VMM

  See the benefits of monitoring Hyper-V performance and utilizing System Center Virtual Machine Manager, including centralized management and organized placement of virtual machines.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows 7 hardware requirements and compatibility

  Use this FAQ to learn about Windows 7 hardware requirements and notebook compatibility factors, and find out when you should recommend 32-bit vs. 64-bit architecture.Continue Reading

• WIndows 7 dual monitor not working? Read these tips

  Use this chapter excerpt to get rules, tips and troubleshooting advice for setting up dual monitors in Windows 7 and adding a secondary display adapter.Continue Reading

• Windows 7 performance monitoring tools

  Use updated tools such as Performance Monitor, Resource Monitor or Task Manager to focus on specific performance aspects and capabilities while enhancing and measuring system performance.Continue Reading

• Implement access control systems successfully in your organization

  Access control is an important step toward mitigating an organization's security risks. Learn the importance of an access control system and how to implement it successfully.Continue Reading

• What should be included in a managed services agreement?

  A well-written managed services agreement should provide a common understanding of the services to be performed by the managed services provider for the client. Learn why the managed services agreement is often the first step taken by MSPs, the ...Continue Reading

• The benefits of metadata and implementing a metadata management strategy

  This section of the chapter excerpt will introduce and explore the basics of metadata.Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Communications Manager - Hardware, Software and Clustering

  This chapter excerpt covers the compatible hardware and software for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, as well as its clustering capabilities.Continue Reading

• Managed services contracts

  Value-added resellers venturing into managed services need to consider the details of the managed services contract they provide to customers. Learn what goes into a managed services contract in this edition of Channel Explained.Continue Reading

• Understanding security risk management: Criticality categories

  Security risk management involves a sober assessment of your client's business operations and the relative security risks of each. Once the need for security risk analysis has been recognized by your client, the next step is to establish catageories...Continue Reading

• To be an MSP, forget 'selling managed services,' and sell yourself

  Selling managed services successfully is easier if an aspiring MSP avoids referring to "selling managed services" and comes up with its own brand, experts say. As part of that, companies should take on a trusted advisor role with their clients, ...Continue Reading

• Managed services, your business plan and you

  Learn why a business plan is an essential part of any reseller's successful managed services business. Discover how to use a business plan as the impetus for refining your marketing strategy, locating sources of revenue and sizing up the competition.Continue Reading

• ILM vs. DLM: The importance of data management

  Knowing the differences between information lifecycle management (ILM) and data lifecycle management (DLM) will ultimately determine which storage offerings you bring to a client's table.Continue Reading

• Partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) vendor

  Managed service provider (MSP) partnerships are rarely as fruitful as both sides would like. When choosing an MSP vendor, ask these questions to determine if your partnership will be a good one.Continue Reading

• Common SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package management scenarios

  Whether connecting to SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), running packages or viewing package summaries, these scenarios will answer basic SSIS package management questions, from the book "Inside Server SQL Tools."Continue Reading