MSP business strategy
News and features on all aspects of running a service provider business, from executing an MSP business model to automating operations.
Top Stories
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Tip
27 Feb 2026
12 top business process management tools for 2026
BPM platforms are becoming a business transformation engine as vendors infuse their tools with powerful AI and automation capabilities. Read our review of top BPM products. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Sep 2025
Geography, skills drive IT Services M&A for Presidio, Accenture
Presidio has acquired transACT Technology Solutions, a digital transformation specialist based in the United Kingdom, while Accenture purchased IAMConcepts in Canada. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
17 May 2018
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
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Feature
13 Mar 2018
MSP business model transformation: Five tips for navigating change
MSP business model transformation: Channel partners face challenges as they cultivate as-a-service offerings, seek dollars for investment and promote their new offerings. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Nov 2017
IT Nation 2017: ConnectWise Marketplace builds out vendor integrations
In conjunction with last week's IT Nation 2017 conference, hosted by PSA vendor ConnectWise, numerous vendors in the MSP software space launched integrations with the ConnectWise platform. The ... Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Sep 2016
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
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Feature
04 Jun 2014
White labeling cloud services pros and cons
The decision to white label a vendor's cloud services requires careful consideration. Weigh the pros and cons to decide if it's right for your firm. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Mar 2014
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
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Feature
29 Jan 2014
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
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News
10 Jan 2014
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
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Tip
21 Aug 2013
How to become a Microsoft partner, and Microsoft Partner Network details
Find out how to become a Microsoft partner in this description of the MPN, which includes changes to the program effective in January 2014. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jan 2011
Linux/UNIX directories and shell commands for VARs
The Linux/UNIX directories and shell commands listed in this chapter excerpt will be valuable to solution providers trying to customize their customers' Linux environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Nov 2010
Parallel processing: Using parallel SQL effectively
Using parallel processing only makes sense for your customers in specific situations. Find out when to use parallel SQL with the Oracle databse to avoid excessive usage. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Nov 2010
Using parallel SQL with Oracle parallel hint to improve database performance
Enhance customers' Oracle database performance by using parallel SQL with an Oracle parallel hint, enabling a SQL statement to be simultaneously processed by multiple threads or processes. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jun 2010
How to restore system state backup in Windows Server 2008 R2
Use this chapter excerpt to find out how to perform a bare-metal recovery and system state recovery in Windows Server 2008 R2, including how to use Windows system recovery tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jun 2010
Windows server backup in Windows Server 2008 R2
Take a look at the best practices for Windows server backup in Windows Server 2008 R2, including configuring backup settings and performing system state and bare-metal backups. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Apr 2010
PowerShell remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2
Learn the best methods to enabling PowerShell remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2, including using cmdlets or the Server Manager to configure PowerShell remoting. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Apr 2010
PowerShell commands in Windows Server 2008 R2
Use this chapter excerpt to learn about PowerShell commands for Windows Server 2008 R2, as well as other PowerShell uses, features, enhancements and command types. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2010
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
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Feature
05 Apr 2010
Adding Remote Desktop Services and RemoteApp programs
There are factors that solutions providers need to consider when adding Remote Desktop Services, such as which role services to use, and steps to follow to add RemoteApp programs. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Mar 2010
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
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Feature
17 Mar 2010
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
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Feature
17 Mar 2010
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
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Feature
10 Mar 2010
Troubleshooting Windows 7 hardware and performance issues
Solutions providers need to be aware of the top methods for troubleshooting Windows 7 hardware and performance issues, including how to properly deal with error messages. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jan 2010
Performing an automated Ubuntu install using preseeding
When performing an automated Ubuntu install, preseeding is an integral part of the process. Learn the different variables and settings necessary for a basic preseed configuration. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Nov 2009
SQL Server 2008 hardware and software requirements
Solutions providers can use this chapter excerpt to learn about the various hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2008 in 32-bit and 64-bit environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 May 2009
Ubuntu Linux installation and hard drive setup guide
Learn how to set up a client's hard drive for proper Ubuntu Linux installation with this chapter excerpt. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Sep 2008
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 value that an agreement should provide to your customer and how to properly prepare the agreement. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Sep 2008
What are the 3 core deliverables of basic MSP offerings?
Developing an efficient managed services offering is essential to building loyal clientele. Learn about the three core deliverables that comprise a managed services offering. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Sep 2008
How to write an IT service-level agreement
A service-level agreement (SLA) is a document that clearly lays out your responsibilities as a client's managed services provider. Learn how to write an SLA to protect your managed services business by avoiding confusion with customers that can lead to expensive lawsuits. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jul 2008
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
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Feature
15 May 2008
Advantages and disadvantages of Hyper-V
Microsoft's Hyper-V is at the release candidate stage, and some companies already have it in production use. Find out the advantages and disadvantages of the virtualization tool so you can help customers at a server virtualization decision point. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Mar 2008
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
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Feature
16 Nov 2007
What kind of incentives and partner programs does VMware offer to its resellers?
Learn about VMware's three reseller partner levels: Professional, Enterprise and Premier. These levels increase in both the commitment expected from the reseller and benefits offered by VMware. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Aug 2007
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 — such as mission-critical, vital, important and minor — in which to place each operational area. When this is done, it becomes easier to establish priorities for strengthening security measures where they are most needed. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jul 2007
An introduction to penetration testing and its legal implications for VARs and consultants
Penetration testing has become a necessity, and you need to know the basics. Learn what qualities your potential customer is looking for in a good tester and how to protect yourself against legal risks. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 May 2007
Oracle RAC: Log directory structure in cluster ready services
When diagnosing Oracle 10g problems in cluster ready services do what Oracle support does -- examine installation log files and respective directories. Learn more in this book excerpt from "Oracle Database 10g: Real Application Clusters Handbook." Continue Reading
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Feature
09 May 2007
Oracle RAC: Debugging node eviction issues
Oracle RAC's node eviction root cause analysis (RCA) is common and complex. This excerpt from "Oracle Database 10g: Real Applications Clusters Handbook" shows you how to recover from a communication failure in Oracle 10g. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 May 2007
Oracle RAC: ON and OFF
Disabling Oracle's RAC options may be necessary when testing the Oracle Database 10g. Steps are outlined in this excerpt from "Oracle Database 10g: Real Application Clusters Handbook." Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Apr 2007
Ethical hacking tools and techniques: Password cracking
In this portion of a tip on network penetration testing and ethical hacking tools and techniques, security consultants and value-added resellers (VARs) will learn about password cracking. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Apr 2007
Ethical hacking tools and techniques: Information gathering
This portion of a tip on network penetration testing and ethical hacking tools and techniques discusses information gathering for security consultants and value-added resellers (VARs). Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Apr 2007
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
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Feature
25 Mar 2007
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
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Answer
14 Feb 2007
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) vs. Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA) training
If you are trying to decide between taking the CEH and the CNDA exams, get advice here. You may even be able to turn your CEH credential into a CDNA certification. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Feb 2007
Configure USB devices to Linux: task 2.4
Configuring USB devices to a Linux system important because most accessories now interface through computers with them. Learn more here. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2007
Set BIOS options for Linux: task 2.1
Setting BIOS options correctly ensures that a computer will boot-up and initialize hardware properly. Get the necessary tools for a smooth Linux installation here. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jan 2007
Using MySQL licensing: Open source license vs. commercial license
Get an overview of the MySQL open source licensing options in this excerpt from "The Definitive Guide to MySQL 5". Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jan 2007
What are the top MySQL features?
Find the most important MySQL properties listed in this book excerpt from "The Definitive Guide to MySQL 5". Continue Reading