Nine Technology and its Involvement with MSPs in 2012

Published by MSPNews

It’s no secret that the solutions and products MSPs power can completely revolutionize the IT world. So, ready, set, to MSPAlliance 2012 we go! Slated to take place from Feb 1-3, 2012 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, FL. in conjunction with ITEXPO West 2012, this not-to-miss event provides the best tips, practices and invaluable information on how MSPs can further penetrate the industry this year.

Recently, Charles Weaver, CEO and co-founder of the MSPAlliance had a chance to speak with Adam Sell, marketing director of Nine Technology, who will be speaking at the event in a session called “Your Marketing Stinks” about the new avenues MSPS will gain access to in the New Year, what the company truly thinks of the potential impact of the cloud, in which industries MSPS can further expand and Nine Technology’s plans for working with MSPs this year.

1         What new opportunities do you see presenting themselves to MSPs in 2012?

The economy seems to have finally turned a corner and the small businesses and consumers who cut back on services in the past few years will be ready to re-engage. MSPs would be well-served to consider that aspect of the buying process in 2012, as customers that have left the fold may be able to return, and new customers may be looking to partner.

2.       Is cloud being overhyped or misunderstood? 

Yes and no. Much of the hype of the cloud is warranted – burying data and services deep within the walls of a highly-secured data center can eliminate many of the risks and problems with local servers. But the cloud can be misunderstood in the fact that the word has been tagged to everything under the sun.

It’s a tough question to answer. My company works within the traditional definition of the cloud, so I certainly want to see that definition more clearly presented to help prevent confusion. But the promise of the cloud is certainly valid.

3.       What area of managed services do you think is being underestimated by the MSP community?

I would venture that the student marketplace is dramatically underserved by MSPs. This is a group of people who are accustomed to paying for services – cell phones, Internet access, video gaming programs…all of them are monthly paid services, and students and young people aren’t fazed by those anymore.

MSPs that offer full-service IT solutions can grab these folks at an early age and convince them of the benefits working with an expert. 

4.       Are end-users getting the message about the value of managed services and cloud and how should MSPs be helping to amplify that message? 

End-users are getting the message about the cloud, but they’re still woefully undereducated about managed services. The angle to pitch is “experts who know your needs.” End-users need to understand that consulting an expert is not just okay, but is encouraged when it comes to something like IT. After all, when their cars break down, if it’s beyond their level of expertise, they take it to a garage. When they get sick, if it’s beyond their level of expertise, they go to a doctor. When their computer needs help, if it’s beyond their level of expertise, they should go to an MSP, someone they can forge a relationship with.

5.       Why are you excited about 2012 and what are is your company doing that will excite the MSP community? 

We finalized our new partnership with Imation at the very end of 2011, so what excites me most about this year is the question of where this new relationship will lead. The Powered By Nine backup and recovery solutions earned a U.S. patent in 2011 (not an easy feat) and were then acquired by one of the biggest names in the industry. We have the potential to spread the word about our online backup much further than we ever had before, and that is an invigorating idea.

We’re also redoubling our efforts to make our partners the most satisfied partners out there. We’re developing new marketing material for them to brand and promote their service with, we’re beefing up our support staff and processes, we’re rolling out a formalized training program to help new partners get on board more quickly, and we’re talking more to our existing partner base over what else we can do.

6.       What makes MSP World a must-attend event?

MSPWorld is a must-attend event because of the conference sessions. Each and every session is led by a thought leader in the area, and the vendor-agnostic rules mean attendees, exhibitors, and other speakers all have something significant to gain from each session. The topics range from mergers/acquisitions to cloud technology to marketing tips to sales models, and MSPs and vendors alike can gain key insights into what makes the most successful businesses tick.