Writing an IT service-level agreement

An IT service-level agreement (SLA) could make the difference between your success and failure as a managed service provider (MSP). Verbal agreements or handshake deals can often end in financial disaster. Even though an SLA clearly defines your roles and responsibilities in managing all or some aspects of your customer's IT infrastructure, too few MSPs have SLAs in place. In this Channel Business How-To, you'll learn what an SLA is and how to draft one that protects both you and your customers.

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Find out what problems service-level agreements can cause for both clients and service providers if not properly handled.

[IMAGE] Virtualization service-level agreements

Learn how to strategize your virtualization service-level agreements so that your contracts line up and support your customers' business strategies.

[IMAGE] Managed service providers change channel pay scale

Managed service provider pay scales reward customer s...

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atisfaction, not sales volume.

[IMAGE] How to stay profitable in the reseller business

For many small and medium-sized reseller businesses, expanding your line of business takes time and money, and it's important to know both your up-front capital expenses and ongoing costs so that you can calculate your return on investment (ROI). Here's some advice for becoming and staying profitable as a reseller.

[IMAGE] Providing database services: The initial client meeting

Remote database services provider Hilary Cotter outlines his own best practices for establishing successful client relationships -- which he says begins with the first client meeting.

[IMAGE] Plan your remote DBA services

Start organizing a customer's sprawling database environment by providing remote DBA services.

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Managed backup services are not easy to offer initially. Resellers have to consider questions of technology, sales strategy and business considerations before managed backup services will be profitable both to you and customers.