Managed Service Vendors You Need To Know

Managed service providers have gone through some big changes over the last few years. Correction: They continue to go through some dramatic transformations as the market matures and cloud computing commands a bigger influence and effect on the market.

Because of that, the managed services vendor market is changing too. Vendors can no longer solely rely on remote monitoring and management features to keep them attuned with the needs of MSPs today. Some vendors of managed services applications and solutions are branching out themselves and trying to become all-encompassing providers to their partners, while others focus on a specific niche and aim to be the best at what they do.

The following list of 25 companies includes some from each group. There are storage specialists, security specialists, marketing specialists and some who look to integrate multiple offerings into a single dashboard.

Thousands of MSPs use this business management software platform, and CEO Mark Cattini promises more value to partners in 2012, including enhanced community features and mobile integration.

Axcient offers cloud-based backup, business continuity and disaster recovery solutions and advanced application support for SMBs that include no up-front costs, free evaluation units and a partner portal for MSPs.

This business management platform developer recently introduced 24x7 support for partners integrating RMM, help desk, CRM, project tracking and more services into the company’s dashboard.

GFI’s Max RemoteManagement platform includes remote management, and monitoring and antivirus software, while its Building Blocks to Managed Services program helps MSPs identify and develop their own managed services offerings.

Intronis introduced the Fall Release of its Cloud Backup and Recovery solution in September, which includes advanced notification enhancements, and templates and improved self-service branding.

Kaseya’s IT systems management platform has undergone several enhancements in 2011, including a Mobile Device Management module for iPhones and Droid devices. The company also created a new certification program for MSPs this spring.

Kutenda offers specialized marketing-as-a-service solutions for MSPs, including e-mail, social media, Web sites, search engine optimization and more. A program with Intel launched this year helped MSPs move to the cloud.

LANDesk Software provides a broad range of IT management software, including IT service management, systems lifecycle management, IT process management and IT asset management tools, all managed through a single pane.

Level Platforms offers a remote monitoring and management platform for MSPs that works directly with more than 115 vendors through its vendor-agnostic open architecture, and it recently launched its own certification for partners.

LogMein’s portfolio of managed solutions includes remote control, file sharing, systems management, data backup, business collaboration and on-demand customer support of PCs, servers, smartphones and other Internet-connected devices.

MX Logic, acquired by McAfee in 2009, provides managed e-mail protection and security services through its Threat Management Service that includes MX Content Guard, MX Spam Guard, MX Virus Guard and MX Attack Guard.

N-able offers remote monitoring and management automation solutions through its N-central platform that include automated software distribution, patch management, script execution, asset management, network discovery and performance reports.

NetEnrich offers a catalog of packaged services for remote IT infrastructure management in cloud, networking, storage and virtualization practices that can be used internally by MSPs or delivered to end users.

Nimsoft, a CA company, provides integrated, IT management-as-a-service solutions through its Nimsoft Unified Manager that help organizations easily monitor and manage IT services in the data center or the cloud.

OS33 offers a cloud computing IT delivery automation platform that lets MSPs mix and match resources from any public or private cloud, and integrate and configure raw storage, CPU and RAM into Web and Windows-based applications.

PacketTrap, a division of Quest Software, offers its MSP 6.0 platform, which is built to remotely monitor, manage and remediate a customer’s IT environment, including server, application and network management.

QuoteWerks provides real-time pricing and warehouse availability information from distributors, and creates sales quotes and proposals through many PSA platforms and other cloud-based sales and services applications.

Reflexion Networks offers cloud-based e-mail security, archiving, encryption and hosting solutions that include administrative and diagnostic tools, and integration with leading MSP platforms.

Scorpion’s AuthAnvil is a two-factor authentication solution for SMBs that provides identity assurance, and simplified system and user provisioning for MSP partners. Version 4.1 adds predictive filtering for users and tokens.

Tango/04 Computing Group’s Visual Message Center systems management software centralizes events, and controls information from different sources into a flexible, open-architecture solution for MSPs.

Tigerpaw Software released version 11R2 of its business automation and service management software to manage, automate and integrate business functions, including service, accounting, CRM, inventory, sales, marketing, purchasing and workflow, into one system.

Providing multifunction firewall and Internet management applications for small businesses, Untangle 8.1’s open-source software promises to lower bandwidth usage while speeding up Web-browsing speeds in Premium, Standard and Lite packages.

VaultLogix’s Internet Vault solutions offer cloud-based backup and recovery solutions through an agent-less and automated process that sends data securely to multiple locations, while also providing support, billing, marketing and integration for MSPs.

Vembu’s StoreGrid Service Provider Edition for MSPs includes a suite of online, hybrid and cloud-based storage products and services, as well as integration with PSA and RMM platforms, and pay-as-you- go licensing for customers.

Zenith Infotech spun off its remote monitoring and management business into a separate company, Zenith RMM, and has defaulted on some bonds, but the company still has plenty of partners and customers running its business continuity solutions in the field.