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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Digital maturity laggards play catchup, consultants say

  Companies behind the curve of digital transformation can close the gap on digital business leaders, according to professional services firms. Continue Reading

• 3 tips to improve data management in the cloud

  Many organizations face substantial challenges in collecting, storing and using data in the cloud. Here are three ways solution providers can help. Continue Reading

• 3 basic cybersecurity measures to protect MSP businesses

  Numerous MSP-targeted cyberattacks have driven home the need for improved internal security practices. Here's how MSPs can secure their operations. Continue Reading

• Healthcare security services firms tackle ransomware spike

  As healthcare organizations face an onslaught of ransomware attacks, channel partners can assist with security initiatives such as zero-trust architectures to prevent breaches. Continue Reading

• AI in managed service software to boost automation

  From security to streamlined help desk systems, AI could have profound benefits for MSPs in the future. Continue Reading

• MSPs tap Red Hat Ansible for managed services automation

  IT services providers have deployed the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform to minimize repetitive work and boost productivity -- even in uncertain times.Continue Reading

• MSP retools bank IT systems with HPE Nimble Storage dHCI

  Faced with a strained IT infrastructure, Central Pacific Bank upgraded to Nimble Storage dHCI. Learn how solution provider Pacxa played a critical role in the project.Continue Reading

• HPE GreenLake partners to help Kern County take control of IT

  Kern County, Calif., faced a daunting challenge of reigning in costs and a sprawling technology ecosystem. HPE GreenLake and MSP Nth Generation were brought in to help.Continue Reading

• Multi-cloud services grow increasingly important for MSPs

  As organizations expand their multi-cloud environments, they'll look to partners for support and expertise. It's time for the channel to board the multi-cloud train, experts say.Continue Reading

• 3 key phishing prevention strategies for MSPs

  MSPs need a solid phishing prevention strategy for protecting clients against evolving threats. Learn about the key pieces of anti-phishing arsenals: tools, policies and training.Continue Reading

• Application rationalization strategy opens MSP opportunities

  The rapid adoption of new technologies can lead to a slew of problems. Learn why MSPs should help clients develop an application rationalization strategy to cope with these issues.Continue Reading

• 4 tips for proper cyber hygiene during the remote workforce era

  IT services firms have a responsibility to secure their clients' remote workforces. Here are four tips for maintaining cyber hygiene in the cloud, using AWS as an example.Continue Reading

• Accenture cloud computing paves way for integration plan

  Penelope Prett, CIO at Accenture, aims to provide employees a holistic user experience, taking advantage of cloud computing to integrate various technology tools.Continue Reading

• Tips for successful virtual sales and consulting meetings

  Channel partners should learn to make the most of virtual sales and consulting meetings. Scott Ford of Pronesis Technology Group offers advice on tactics that work.Continue Reading

• Remote learning technology emerges as top ed market focus

  MSPs and consultants say customers in the education vertical are ramping up distance learning systems as they prepare for the new school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Continue Reading

• Which MSP marketing tactics have the best results?

  Reaching prospects and converting them into clients is a process involving some trial and error. Here's advice on finding the right marketing tactics for your MSP.Continue Reading

• 3 tips for marketing and selling MSP cybersecurity to SMBs

  The growing demand for MSP cybersecurity services makes it more important to know how to effectively market and sell your offerings. Here are three ways to improve your approach.Continue Reading

• MSP business model and financial lessons learned in pandemic

  MSPs are facing financial uncertainty due to the pandemic. Industry experts offer advice on managing the pandemic's impact and preparing for hard times.Continue Reading

• Remote workforce management strategies for MSPs

  Channel partners have been rethinking employee productivity, collaboration and skills development. Learn how Ensono, SADA Systems and AllCloud have adjusted their approaches.Continue Reading

• Healthcare IoT's next steps come into focus

  Industry watchers believe healthcare IoT is approaching an inflection point. Channel partners can assist in the next step in developing a strategy for existing data.Continue Reading

• Partners deploy phishing countermeasures as threats evolve

  The pandemic and 2020 presidential election are giving criminals plenty of phishing opportunities. Learn about phishing countermeasures that partners can take to protect customers.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN for home workers becomes partner opportunity

  SD-WAN technology is seeing increased customer interest due to the sudden expansion of remote workforces. IT service providers are offering product advice and implementation help.Continue Reading

• Customers expand IT capabilities for business in the new normal

  The pandemic has sparked new directions for Insight Enterprises' project work. Clients are looking to build IT capabilities for unique types of business problems.Continue Reading

• MSP staffing strategies change during a pandemic

  The overall economic and employment impact of coronavirus is affecting service provider staffing -- some more than others, if at all. See why and gain tips to help with hiring.Continue Reading

• How to prepare client companies for ransomware attacks

  Ransomware is a constant aspect of the IT landscape but isn't always seen as a priority. IT service providers can help their clients mitigate the risk.Continue Reading

• Partners donate technology, services to pandemic relief

  IT services companies are contributing a mix of advice and cloud offerings to help research groups and other organizations battling the COVID-19 pandemic.Continue Reading

• Tips for overcoming MSP patch management pain points

  Software patch management is more difficult than it once was. Industry experts offer advice on how to best stay ahead of the patching curve and reduce risks to both MSPs and customers.Continue Reading

• Accenture: Industrial digital transformation needs leaders

  Leadership and execution are the keys to overcoming the potential pitfalls of industrial digitization, a process that redundant technology can hinder.Continue Reading

• How managed service operations are adapting to a pandemic

  IT service providers are deeply involved in curbing the pandemic's disruptions to U.S. businesses. Learn how companies have uncovered hidden strengths and new service offerings.Continue Reading

• Rookie MSP marketing mistakes and how to fix them

  Marketing is a stumbling block for most MSPs. Use these tips to resolve a range of problems involving company websites, marketing plans and advertising investments.Continue Reading

• ServiceNow implementation upgrades reinsurer's finance unit

  In 2017, Accenture embarked on an unconventional ServiceNow deployment on behalf of global reinsurer Scor. Learn how the implementation helped modernize Scor's finance department.Continue Reading

• Top tips for providing co-managed IT services

  Co-managed IT services give MSPs an opportunity to partner with the internal IT staff of their clients. Get insight into how to successfully implement a CoMITS offering.Continue Reading

• FedRAMP authorization and the quest for a better process

  Service providers and consultancies are among the organizations attempting to build a better way to get cloud-authorized under the government's FedRAMP program.Continue Reading

• MSP software vendors play catch-up with security threats

  Hackers have exploited MSP software tools such as remote monitoring and management as a conduit for cyberattacks, leading some vendors to issue new security measures and resources.Continue Reading

• Addressing the data problem in a DevOps world

  There's a data problem underlying the shift to the cloud, cloud-native applications and the demands of the DevOps world. Insight's Jeff Bozic discusses the issues.Continue Reading

• Business-driven security: Consultants help clients play catch-up

  Digital transformation projects and other sophisticated tech initiatives call for integrated security. IT service firms are addressing the gap between security and business teams.Continue Reading

• Robotic process automation market needs provider boost to accelerate

  RPA vendors, service providers and their customers must find ways to overcome time-consuming tasks and bottlenecks to accelerate the technology's enterprise adoption.Continue Reading

• Hackers target MSPs, but not all are prepared

  Managed service provider security is being put to the test as hackers target MSPs with increasing frequency. Even a relatively simple attack can compromise a service provider.Continue Reading

• 5 Microsoft Azure managed services to grow your channel business

  Andy Syrewicze, a former MSP engineer and current Microsoft MVP, detailed five Azure solutions that service providers can offer their clients. The packages run from the simple to the visionary.Continue Reading

• How the channel can help fight bias in AI applications

  Customers' AI applications pose the risk of producing prejudiced results. Channel firms, however, can step in to educate organizations and reduce harmful biases within AI systems.Continue Reading

• How to succeed at managed services marketing

  The marketing formula at service provider DynTek includes executive briefings, messaging around innovation and transformation, and a blend of traditional and digital techniques.Continue Reading

• How to manage Windows 7 user accounts and groups

  Whether your customers operate in a workgroup or a domain/Active Directory environment, user account setup and group memberships control their rights, permissions and roles.Continue Reading

• Cloud migration planning: Assess workloads now to avoid trouble later

  Organizations that take the time to assess workloads, identify dependencies and educate themselves on cloud security tools can set a smooth path for a public cloud deployment.Continue Reading

• Applying AI: Accenture exec cites customer opportunities

  Mike Sutcliff, group chief executive at Accenture Digital, talks about the challenges of applying AI, digital thread and augmented reality to real-world business issues.Continue Reading

• Ease the MSP talent acquisition process with these tips

  For Eric Hobbs, the key to the talent acquisition process is to recruit prospective employees early and often. Hobbs is CEO at Technology Associates, a managed service provider (MSP) in Cary, North ...Continue Reading

• Channel execs grapple with IT security staffing challenges

  Channel firms say security talent is hard to find and expensive to acquire. Learn how executives are overcoming the cybersecurity skills gap.Continue Reading

• Why TIC Gums chose a cloud computing disaster recovery plan

  After a manufacturer recognized the risks in having its systems and data located onsite, the company implemented a cloud computing disaster recovery plan with the help of a channel partner.Continue Reading

• Video game industry: A hyper-converged infrastructure market

  InData, a virtual and physical IT infrastructure partner, has discovered a hyper-converged infrastructure market in the video game industry.Continue Reading

• Channel partners help SaaS provider enter overseas markets

  OneLogin needed a way to enter overseas markets. The company decided cultivating relationships with channel partners was the best method.Continue Reading

• Flawed channel data management may result in partner overpayments

  Erroneous sales data may pose potential conflicts between some vendors and their partners; however, most vendors seem more interested in keeping the peace.Continue Reading

• Three tips for dealing with the IT labor shortage

  IT companies should seek out motivated workers, commit to continuous learning and invest in employee well-being to minimize the effects of the IT labor shortfall.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN: Providers could see strong growth, but face hurdles

  The SD-WAN market beckons with high-growth potential, but channel partners must confront incomplete feature sets, training requirements and market consolidation.Continue Reading

• Ransomware infections: Channel toils to defend besieged customers

  Channel partners are working with customers on ransomware defense strategies and risk mitigation amid a rising tide of costly and disruptive infections.Continue Reading

• MSP ticketing system: Autotask's new UI draws round of applause

  Autotask's new ticketing system user interface ranked among the top developments at the company's annual partner conference. Channel companies tell why.Continue Reading

• Ask the expert: How to navigate a law firm's IT committee

  Pitching your services to a law firm's IT committee can be challenging, but there are ways to get your message across, according to Andrew Harrover of Matrix Computer Consulting.Continue Reading

• Software robots transforming IT services industry

  IT service providers, particularly large, global outsourcing firms, are helping customers deploy robotic process automation and also using the technology internally.Continue Reading

• Vology's transition toward an integrator business model

  Vology has used a combination of acquisitions and organic growth as it transitions from a product-oriented approach to an IT services provider business model.Continue Reading

• Tech OEMs: Gray market goods are a growing concern

  The gray market revisited: A KPMG report explores whether the sale of gray market products has decreased since 2008 when economic conditions proved conducive to unauthorized sales channels.Continue Reading

• Cisco wants channel partners to Engage with digital marketing

  Marketing may not be a channel strength, but Cisco hopes to help partners adopt digital marketing practices.Continue Reading

• IT migration case study: Partner helps downsize data center

  HighVail, an IT consulting and professional services firm, helped Empire Life downsize its data center, migrate business applications and create a new disaster recovery site.Continue Reading

• Integrating legacy systems, hybrid clouds: Channel partner tips

  Channel partners need not flinch at legacy systems and cloud integration. An application audit, attention to latency issues and a solid connectivity model can help ease the task.Continue Reading

• IT security tutorial: Channel partner tips for new tech

  In this IT security tutorial, we outline security concerns and mitigation strategies for software-defined networking, hyper-converged infrastructure and the Internet of Things.Continue Reading

• MDF funds: How MSPs can get their cut of the marketing money

  Market development funds are there for the asking. Learning the details of individual programs -- and demonstrating sales and technical strength -- can help you get your shareContinue Reading

• Partners avoid liability issues with channel customer contracts

  Channel partners must ensure they make customer contracts they can abide by. The managing attorney of InfoTech Law Advocates outlines a number of common liability issues.Continue Reading

• Outdated technology: A channel partner challenge

  Channel companies find no shortage of out-of-date technologies -- from Windows Server 2003 machines to aging Unix systems -- in their customer's data centers.Continue Reading

• How to overcome resistance to change: Four tips for channel partners

  Resistance to change is only natural, but channel partners can look for early adopters and clearly state a new technology's benefits to sway clients.Continue Reading

• Healthcare vertical market: How partners can help clients master BI

  Healthcare providers are awash in data in light of electronic health records. Partners, however, can help clients leverage their information with BI tools.Continue Reading

• Channel partners see customers uncloud: Reverse cloud migration strategy

  Channel partners report that a small but increasing number of customers are moving some or all of their applications off the cloud.Continue Reading

• Five tips to mitigate the risk of a cloud outage

  Selling cloud-based services? These five tips can help service providers mitigate the risk of a cloud outage.Continue Reading

• Ten mistakes to avoid in cloud or MSP business model transitions

  The process of transitioning to the cloud or MSP business model can run smoother if channel partners avoid these 10 missteps.Continue Reading

• How to explain managed services pricing to customers

  The managed services model is better -- and more lucrative -- than the break/fix model because it represents an alignment between your goals and your customers' goals.Continue Reading

• Working with your IT channel account manager

  Get partner and vendor insight on the relationship between your company and your IT vendor's channel account manager.Continue Reading

• 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

• Cloud demands new IT organizational structure: How providers can help

  Enterprises don't build true private clouds because most IT organizations aren't structured for them. Cloud providers can help customers get there.Continue Reading

• End-user experience monitoring is key to SaaS provider success

  As customers expect the SaaS model to deliver equal performance to local apps, end-user experience monitoring becomes a core capability for providers.Continue Reading

• Are customers happy? How SaaS providers can use Apdex to find out

  Application response time is key to the user experience, but what's a 'good' response time? SaaS providers can use the Apdex formula to find out.Continue Reading

• VAR marketing strategy: Focus on customer outcomes

  VAR marketing professionals must stay focused on the success of customers. Get advice for keeping that tenet top of mind.Continue Reading

• What are the main challenges associated with DRaaS SLAs?

  Cloud providers must cover security, access control and restoration time when negotiating DRaaS SLAs with customers, says cloud expert Mooney Sherman.Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery in the cloud: What do customers expect in an SLA?

  Crafting an SLA for DR in the cloud requires providers to address several issues up front with customers, according to cloud expert Mooney Sherman.Continue Reading

• How to build a vertical market cloud practice

  Building a vertical market cloud practice requires an understanding of industry needs, compliance regulations and technical skills for core services.Continue Reading

• Five best practices for developing a successful cloud partner program

  Developing an effective channel program requires taking a look at policies around recruiting, incentivizing and communicating with cloud partners.Continue Reading

• Cloud broker skills in higher demand as cloud adoption gains momentum

  The cloud broker becomes more crucial as enterprise cloud adoption grows, giving providers, integrators and partners an opening to fill that role.Continue Reading

• Data as a Service opportunities for solution providers

  Learn about Data as a Service, how it works, its benefits and drawbacks for customers, and the opportunities it presents to IT solution providers.Continue Reading

• Building targeted cloud services with software developers as partners

  Operators entering the cloud market need to target business customer needs and consider software developer partners for higher revenue SaaS offerings.Continue Reading

• DBaaS pros and cons for solution providers

  A DBaaS has feature and other limitations, but it brings shorter sales cycles, reduced startup costs, recurring revenue streams and more customers.Continue Reading

• VoIP phone services for customers with on-premises and remote VDI

  Adding VoIP phone services for customers with on-premises and remote VDI can lessen reliance on cell phones, improve service integration and more.Continue Reading

• Cloud computing cost savings: Fact or fiction?

  When articulating cloud computing cost savings to customers, most providers don't realize that they're focusing on the wrong angle.Continue Reading

• HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance addresses massive data needs

  The HP Enterprise Data Warehouse Appliance can manage from 30 TB to 600 TB of data in a preconfigured bundle.Continue Reading

• Biometric authentication methods: Comparing smartphone biometrics

  Biometric authentication helps ensure only authorized smartphone users can access a network. David Jacobs weighs the pros and cons of three methods.Continue Reading

• Unified storage architecture approaches: Modular vs. integrated

  Find out what the considerations are for VARs with customers looking for both file and block storage in a single device.Continue Reading

• Active archive software: Not just for the enterprise anymore

  Active archives, once thought of as practical just for big companies, are becoming more useful for SMB customers in a variety of vertical industries.Continue Reading

• The risk of using Windows kernel-mode drivers in systems management

  Windows kernel-mode drivers can pose risks if used in IT efficiency systems management tools.Continue Reading

• All-flash storage systems: Types and use cases

  Learn about all-flash appliances and all-flash storage arrays, as well as the scenarios they're best suited for.Continue Reading

• Tips to explain Windows 8 upgrade rationale to customers

  Expert advice for VARs looking to explain Windows 8 upgrade options to customers and combat objections to the new Windows OS.Continue Reading

• Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) terms you need to know

  Providers planning to offer DRaaS should brush up on their disaster recovery vocab and understand what works best in the cloud.Continue Reading

• Planning cloud disaster recovery services and avoiding the pain points

  Providers looking at cloud disaster recovery services should examine the potential customer base, the challenges and partnership opportunities.Continue Reading

• Using VMM 2012 to add Hyper-V servers to trusted and untrusted domains

  Learn how to add Hyper-V servers to trusted and untrusted domains using Microsoft Virtual Machine Manager 2012 in this chapter excerpt.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Sync Framework services for mobile device data management

  Solutions providers can find success using the Microsoft Sync Framework to help SMBs with mobile workers that aren't constantly connected to a network.Continue Reading

• Cloud computing trends: Three reasons skeptics aren't adopting cloud

  The hype around cloud computing trends doesn't match adoption rates. Learn three reasons skeptics are resisting the cloud and how you can win them over.Continue Reading

• What is the cloud's role in machine-to-machine (M2M) services?

  The cloud can play a vital role in bringing M2M services to market more quickly for service providers, says TM Forum CEO Martin Creaner.Continue Reading