Staples becomes an MSP?

Staples purchased Thrive Networks last year and is now rolling out 3 new managed services – Thrive Protect, Thrive Onsite and Thrive Online Backup. They are billing it as “not the Geek Squad”, who they see as reactive. To quote “What we’re offering is a proactive IT services solution that eliminates or reduces downtime for businesses.”

http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/CDN/News.asp?id=50117

 

http://www.thrivenetworks.com/index.html

 

Seems like they use all the usual suspects: AVG, Kaseya, N-Able, as well as Mozy for offsite backup.

 

How real is this threat? Is it more immediate than the rumblings from Dell? It will be interesting to see how a big box retailer will succeed as an msp.

 

Great new contest for your clients … and YOU!

I just came across a great new contest from HP and Microsoft that you will want to let your clients know about. Check it out at
www.pimpmyinfrastructure.com

This contest has some great prizes – a $16,000 package for a small business, and a $36,000 package for a medium business. And, here’s the best parts; it’s open for us in Canada AND the reseller finally gets something out of a contest as well – a $5000 package for the winning reseller.

So, get your clients on over to the registration page, where they can tell their story. Make sure they put your company in as their reseller so you can win also.

Hurry, needs to be in by October 20th, so no time to lose!

Prevent piracy and win more business

Microsoft is helping us to prevent software piracy with the release of the “Go Genuine Kit”. Find more information and order yours today at the site below.

https://www.launchkit.ca/default.aspx

Also, refer to the marketing calendar for more information on the Back to Business campaigns, and how to use the above marketing materials in conjunction with the campaigns.

Now, go get after it!

Jerry and Bill – Round 2

 Earlier today, I watched the 2nd commercial featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Billl Gates. See below for a link: 

http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/marketing/bill_and_jerry_a_couple_of_coenheads.html?kc=EWKNLEND09132008STR1

What do you think of the new marketing campaign? Will it be effective? How does it compare to the ads that Apple continue to use.

For me, the jury is still out. Don’t get me wrong, I have had a chuckle or two (and more with the 2nd one), but I’m not sure that I get the message that I’m supposed to. Maybe that’s part of the point. I do know I’m eager to see how it plays out and will stay tuned.

How to stay competitive in a high expense market

Later today, Stuart Crawford is hosting a great topic on his blog talk radio – What IT Pros Can do to Remain Competitive in a High Expense Market.

See the link below to tune in

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/smb/2008/09/12/What-IT-Pros-can-do-to-remain-competitive-in-an-high-expense-market

What steps are you taking to reduce your expenses? Are you doing anything?

What do you do to remain competitive?

Should be a great show, see you there!

Browser wars, or Dejavu all over again

It’s been awhile since the topic of new browsers has been top of mind. Yes, I know Firefox has been the most active, but how long has it been that most of the world has been running IE 7??

Well, perhaps that is all about to change. Microsoft has released IE 8 in beta 2, and it is available from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx

And, for something new from the ground up, check out the new browser from Google; it’s called Chrome and can be downloaded from http://www.google.com/chrome

Let the battle begin!

These browsers both offer some really interesting features. I think Chrome will rely heavily on the next generation of applications that, at least in Googles minds, are designed specifically to run in the browser. Microsoft, on the other hand, is staying with the more traditional browser model, and obviously has a vested interest in running full client versions of applications. No surprises from either camp here.

So, what are your impressions? Will you be recommending either of these for your clients? What do you see as the key features that will compel us to want one or the other … or both?

Peer Groups update

Arlin Sorenson is a veteran in our industry and has built his company, Heartland Technology Solutions, into a powerhouse of a company – over 80 employees, and almost $20m in annual revenue. What’s more impressive is that he did so from his office that is in the farmyard where he grew up – in the middle of a corn field outside of a town of 5,000 people.

What’s even more impressive yet is how much Arlin gives back to the partner community. A few years ago he started HTG – Heartland Technology Groups. I’ve been privileged to be a part of HTG4 for almost 2 years now, and recently I was asked to step up and facilitate our group. It’s been a lot of work, but very rewarding in many ways – for my business, for me professionally, and perhaps surprisingly for me personally as well.

There is a great article from Redmond Channel Partner Magazine on the future direction of HTG, see below: http://rcpmag.com/news/article.aspx?editorialsid=10154

There’s a waiting list to become part of one of the future groups next year. But, if you are interested, I mean really interested, in investing in a peer group as well as growing your business, drop me a note; I might know someone who can put in a good word for you.