Blog News

Long-time and loyal SMB Nation member Ulrich “Uli” Kirkegaard endured a life alter event in early August with the Maui fires. He lost his home and business as did many of his beloved small and medium business (SMB) clients. The purpose of this content is to properly introduce you to Uil and have you discover and share with others what challenges face this well-respected managed services Provider (MSP).

One way you can help immediately is to contribute funds are you are able. Then further down the road he can use supplies and even feet-on the-ground (something we have done much of since Hurricane Katrina 18-years ago). I plan to visit Maui in early December or early 2024 (join me!).

Watch the conversation HERE! 

You may assist Uli and his family at this GoFundMe site https://gofund.me/d8d9d53d

Where to start the HandyAndy party? Well let’s go back to the very beginning. In 1998 when Windows Small Business Server (SBS) was announced and brought to market, HandyAndy and I met via Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine where we both wrote content and drove the SBS community. I fondly remember HandyAndy consistently hosting online meetups via a BBS system (way before Zoom and Teams).

Andy “HandyAndy” Goodman recently passed away and he will be missed. During his career he chose to remain on the technical side and had less patience for marketing malarky. Fair enough. It led to some spirted conversations over the years and HandyAndy always sparred fairly.

What is a rolling recession anyways? Quickly – while this might be your first MSP recession, it’s likely not a deep dip as felt just a couple months ago. Sure some sectors like housing are down but others like cruise ships are up (way up). And properly executed, cybersecurity stuff is at least recession resistant if not recession proof!

What's the big secret to MSP success right here right now?

By Gary Audin

MSP customers are using collaboration tools especially for remote and hybrid workers. The cloud-based collaboration services are accessed through multiple network technologies. These network technologies can perform well or produce impaired user experiences.

Cyber Crime has had an 894% increase in brute force attacks on Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)  servers during the pandemic.  These attackers have exploited remote login credentials, as many employees have worked from home as a necessity to do their job.  

As we head into fall Harry Brelsford of SMB Nation sits down with Ben Baker to find out what he is hearing, seeing, and predicting for the close of 2022.  Ben and Harry touch on the great resignation, what companies are currently doing with their funds, the recession and the potential opportunities it will bring and much more in this brief podcast.

With the 2022 Conference schedule in full swing, and 2023 just around the corner Harry Brelsford of SMB Nation sits down with John Hill of TechSage Solutions to discuss how the end of the conference season is wrapping up and what conferences you do not want to miss. 

Despite  global efforts the number of cyber attacks get worse each year.  While the statistics seem dreadful,  nearly every industry has had to embrace new solutions and prepare for the future.  Although many have embraced cyber security,  it is still  the number one concern for many business owners today.  This concern puts MSP’s in a great position to address these apprehensions, and add cybersecurity services to their offerings. 

At the CompTIA Channelcon 2022  Conference CEO Todd Thibodeaux announced the launch of a new program to foster more careers in technology.  With the need for jobs in most sectors of the economy CompTIA is looking to supercharge individuals to be ready to launch full force into the IT industry.  Harry Brelsford of SMB Nation sits down with Dave Sobel to discuss this new initiative as well as the CompTIA Channelcon Conference as a whole.

By Gary Audin

Subscription revenue is very attractive. The Managed Service Provider (MSP) business plans call for continuing and expanding subscription services. Developing these services requires capital, new staff, is risky, and can take a long time to be successful. This encourages the MSP to look for services they can resell. Does the MSP white label a service or sell a branded service?

Windows 11 has arrived, and was designed with you at the center.  With a world who is heavily reliant on using PC’s, Microsoft has focused on delivering an OS that makes your life easier,  more secure, connected, all while helping you get things done faster. 

Marketing during the pandemic was a shift for many businesses, as we went from in person handshakes to digital marketing and communication.  With these fluctuations it probably comes to no surprise that consumer behavior shifted during the pandemic, with businesses shutting their doors, and face to face interactions becoming nearly nonexistent.  Now that the world is opening up many businesses are looking back at the long term implications of the pandemic in terms of how they market themselves.