Feature Articles

1. MSSPs: Say No To Just SIEM 8/13/2020

   This scenario plays out all too often: Security controls send alerts to a SIEM. The SIEM uses rules written by the security team to filter down the number of alerts to a much smaller number, typically 100:1 or even 10,000:1. Writing and maintaining the rules can often take valuable time that organizations don't have. A better approach is to look at the outcomes your customers want to achieve with security monitoring and where people vs. technology can have the biggest impact.

2. COVID-19 And Unified Communications – Essential Pointers For A Permanent Remote Workforce 8/10/2020

   As COVID-19 stay-at-home orders are gradually lifted and states begin to return to some semblance of everyday life, we shouldn’t assume an automatic return of workforces to the office.

3. A Look At The Current And Future State Of Managed Services 8/6/2020

   Mynul Khan is the Founder and CEO of Field Nation; an online work marketplace for connecting people to get work done. Khan took the time to speak with MSP Insights about the impact of COVID-19 on managed services, employee and client safety, and more.

4. How VARs Can Help Clients Safely Reopen 8/6/2020

   Michael Russo, Chief Technology Officer at Shift4, has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality and healthcare technology space, building cutting-edge software products, leading agile teams, driving strategic business initiatives, and developing go-to-market strategies. Russo took the time to speak with VAR Insights about how to help merchants struggling to reopen, new payment methods, and what emerging technologies VARs need to be aware of.

5. Reader Spotlight: Eric Weast, ECW 8/6/2020

   In this Reader Spotlight, ECW President Eric Weast shares a little about himself, his company, and the state of the channel.

6. Five Best Practices For Managing Your Business Through A Crisis Or Disaster 8/6/2020

   When faced with a crisis or disaster, whether it’s a fire, flood, pandemic, cyberattack or security breach, it can be daunting for solution providers and other channel firms to know where to focus their efforts. Issues that need immediate attention may range from restoring networks and service to evaluating staffing to troubleshooting IT supply chain problems, but other, longer-term challenges may also require resources and consideration as well.

7. The Hidden Costs Of An Antiquated Billing System 8/3/2020

   For many Communications Service Providers (CSPs), business is on the rise. Despite the economic downturn (or perhaps driven by it as more employees are forced into remote work), CSPs are seeing increased demand as users consolidate their telecom and datacom services with a single platform or provider.

8. Measuring Customer Satisfaction Using IT Documentation Software 7/23/2020

   Knowledge, as the saying goes, is power. As an IT professional, it’s absolutely critical, as your organization relies on you to have visibility across systems, flag and resolve issues early, and discover new ways to be smarter with technology use. That’s where IT documentation software comes into play.

9. Standing Up An Effective Remote Office Solution In Times Of Crisis 7/20/2020

   Three months ago, every company in the world executed its business continuity plan – AT THE SAME TIME! If that isn’t scary enough, while every company in the world was executing its business continuity plan, they were writing a new plan to account for the nuclear scenario – every employee working from home. Even at Nasuni, we were a little caught off guard. In this article, I’ll share how our partners leveraged Nasuni with their customers through that business continuity plan, which includes going back to the office.

10. The One Soft Skill MSPs Must Identify For The COVID-19 Workforce And Beyond 7/16/2020

    Technicians can be your greatest asset as well as your greatest expense; the Work Institute conservatively estimates that the cost to lose a U.S. worker is $15,000. Amid COVID-19 that number may even be greater given the unique customer interfacing challenges that technicians are facing with each state’s social distancing rules. This presents a potential incalculable loss to your MSP’s reputation.