Managed Service Provider Week in Review

Partnerships and acquisitions were once again the name of the game in the managed services space this week. Integrations, development deals and a major MSP acquisition dotted the headlines as companies continue a trend of teaming up to utilize each other’s strengths.

Fiber-based network and communications service provider Integra acquired unified communications provider ProTel Networks this week. The deal is significant as it will help Integra to continue building out its managed services portfolio as well as provide regional expansion in the Salt Lake City area. The MSP offers cloud-based managed services and Integra manages all physical equipment in a secure, fiber-connected environment.

In an effort to provide ePassport Certificate Management and Validation services, WidePoint Corporation has teamed up with Mount Airey Group inc. The companies will offer the services as part of the PIVotal ID Managed Validation Services. The companies are offering a cloud-based platform that enables inspection and quality assurance systems for verifying the digital security features of ePassports throughout the world.

Cbeyond has announced an expanded partnership with Microsoft to help U.S. MSPs and VARS. The company is encouraging those clients to move their SMB customers to Cbeyond’s cloud in an effort to highlight Microsoft’s Cloud OS technologies. The Cbeyond TotalCloud Partner Edition platform is based on a number of Microsoft OS technologies, enabling private, public and hybrid cloud deployments.

Autotask and StorageCraft are also working together and have announced a new integration module designed to streamline business processes for MSPs. The module enables automated billing processes for MSPs by letting them synchronize data from StorageCraft’s MSP portal and cloud services with the Autotask IT business management offering. The result is a number of efficiencies and cost savings for MSPs.

And one-stop cloud IT services company Intermedia is partnering all over the place in an effort to help channel partners expand their cloud services offerings. The company has integrated its Partner Portal with QuickBooks, Salesforce and ConnectWise, which opens up major new potential revenue streams for MSPs and VARs that want to easily expand their cloud footprints.