Guest Contributors

31. Hands-Free Cybersecurity For SMBs 6/17/2022

    The managed detection and response (MDR) market is booming and creating many new opportunities for MSPs that want to differentiate their business by offering cyber security solutions. But not all MDR solutions are created equally—MSPs need an MDR that provides enterprise-grade protection for their clients without enterprise-grade cost or complexity.

32. SMB IT Networks: More Vulnerable Than You Think 6/8/2022

    A common cyberattack strategy hackers like to use involves scanning the target’s system for vulnerabilities. Once a weakness is discovered, they leverage it to their advantage. And for cybercriminals, it’s not the size of the business that matters, it’s the ease of access. Although many small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) think they are too insignificant to draw the attention of hackers, breach reports prove otherwise…  

33. How To Keep Pace With Client Changes And Expansion 6/8/2022

    Do you have clients that are in constant flux – employee turnover; implementing new projects; expanding through mergers and acquisitions? It’s hard to keep up with the changes within your own organization, much less keeping up with all your clients too. To make matters worse, those changes can lead to new risks and opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit. Regularly scheduled data scans are an ideal solution to help you stay on top of changes… 

34. Compete (AND WIN) Against Other MSPs…No Matter Their Size   6/8/2022

    Most people are drawn to careers doing work they like. Very few children dream of growing up to be sales managers. But MSP management often finds themselves in that position and competing against other companies…sometimes much larger companies with more resources. Do you find yourself worrying about larger MSPs? One way to get a leg up is by offering compliance services.  

35. ISVs Share Lead Gen Best Practices – And Headaches 5/24/2022

    The RSPA Niche & Startup ISV Community helps software developer executives meet and network with fellow RSPA ISV members in a vendor-neutral setting. Founded in 2019, the group has grown to nearly 80 members. More software developer organizations continue to engage with the RSPA in person and online. Inspire 2022 attracted a record number of ISV attendees, continuing the momentum created at RetailNOW 2021 where 230+ ISV executives participated. And the RSPA Niche & Startup ISV Community continues to attract high-initiative ISV executives to its bi-monthly conference calls.

36. RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 65: No-Nonsense Customer Service For VARs And ISVs 5/24/2022

    In Episode 65 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy talks with Randy Gunter, one of the principals at VAR Spark Solutions Group, and Jeff Sanders, the President of VAR Southwest Point of Sale, about customer service best practices for retail technology solution providers. Among the topics discussed are reactive and proactive customer communication strategies, the importance of an annual customer survey, how to win over an upset customer, and the biggest customer service mistake many resellers make.

37. RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 68: Rebranding Lessons For The Retail IT Channel 5/24/2022

    In Episode 68 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Paul Griffiths and Stephen Bergeron of apg (formerly APG Cash Drawer) to discuss rebranding lessons for VARs, ISVs, and vendors in the retail technology channel. They discuss rebranding principles and processes, how to best engage employees and customers during this journey, and why resellers with “cash register” in their company name are likely candidates for a rebrand of their own.

38. RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 69: The Changing Retail IT Channel 5/24/2022

    In Episode 69 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Mike Monocello, the co-founder of DevPro Journal and XaaS Journal, about his perspective on the ever-changing retail technology channel – both the past 15 years and what’s ahead. Monocello and Roddy also break down an RSPA-exclusive chart analyzing current and emerging business models in the retail IT channel including VARs, ISVs, ISOs, PayFacs, and DISDs (Direct Independent Software Developers).

39. VARs Should Offer Broader Solutions To Cannabis Dispensaries 5/24/2022

    The headline you just read was the consensus thinking of the executives attending a recent online meeting of the RSPA Niche & Startup ISV Community. Often times VARs attempting to penetrate this vertical focus only on the point of sale system and related software, and they find little success because of the glut of companies pushing their own POS solution.

40. RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 70: How To Leverage The Unconventional To Recruit Talent 5/24/2022

    In Episode 70 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy talks with Tracey Lande, Vice President of Strategy and Growth/Business Development Lead at VAULT, about her unconventional – and highly successful – employee recruiting strategies. Lande shares how her personal journey back to the retail IT channel is influencing her hiring plans at VAULT, the importance of personalizing open positions and creating outcome-based job descriptions, and how to leverage your network and social media to build a strong team fast.