NinjaMSP, the upstart provider of RMM (remote monitoring and management) software, has licensed Dell PacketTrap technology and is pushing into network monitoring, ChannelE2E has confirmed.
First, a little background. Dell acquired PacketTrap -- a niche MSP software platform provider -- as part of the Quest Software buyout in 2012. By August 2013 Dell killed the PacketTrap platform and many MSPs fled to other platforms. But the story doesn't end there.
Several PacketTrap veterans quietly launched NinjaMSP and attracted about 200 MSPs onto the company's RMM platform by the end of 2015. Next up, NinjaMSP is launching Ninja Network Monitoring System (NinjaNMS), a "SaaS-based network management system fueled by Dell PacketTrap technology."
ChannelE2E asked Dell and NinjaMSP to clarify their business relationship. The duo confirm that the PacketTrap relationship is a licensing deal.
Salvatore Sferlazza, founder of NinjaMSP, says his firm is “excited to team up with Dell" to address network management for MSPs. Greg Davoll, director of product management, database management, Dell Software, says NinjaNMS provides an "upgrade path to a next-generation RMM and NMS solution fueled by the PacketTrap technology."
The new NinjaNMS provides SNMP monitoring, traps, syslog and Netflow traffic analysis, "enabling MSPs to more easily and comprehensively manage network devices. It provides MSPs a 360-degree view of their customers’ application infrastructure, including network, cloud, and endpoints."
An upgrade program, apparently endorsed by Dell, allows remaining PacketTrap users to jump to NinjaNMS before PacketTrap reaches end-of-life support on March 31, 2016. NinjaNMS and NinjaRMM both are now available.
NinjaMSP certainly isn't alone in the world of network-centric monitoring software for MSPs. Some, though not all, RMM platforms include some network capabilities. And upstarts like Auvik Networks are betting their businesses on network-centric RMM.
And the story won't end here. It sounds like NinjaMSP expects to raise a round of funding in the next few weeks or so...
