ConnectWise is back in acquisition mode, and the company will share a strategic update about its product initiatives on Tuesday, according to ChannelE2E meetings with CEO Arnie Bellini (pictured above) and Chief Product Officer Craig Fulton.
The chatter emerged here at ConnectWise Automation Nation 2017, a conference for MSPs and technology solutions providers that run the company's RMM (remote monitoring and management) platform. Roughly 1,000 people are attending the event here in Orlando, Fla. The highlights so far...
1. ConnectWise Pursuing Acquisitions?: CEO Arnie Bellini says that's the case. The company successfully completed its reorganization quite some time ago, and previous investments are performing well, Bellini says. Amid that reality, the company is in the market exploring additional potential deals. "We're looking for additional teams to come on the journey with us," he adds.
2. Microservices: Mum's nearly the word on this. But poke around and you'll begin to understand how ConnectWise is working to deliver more flexible, lego-like applications for existing partners and new partners.
3. Security: Yes, it's a big focus area here. But it won't be a one-time conversation. Expect some major milestones from now through IT Nation 2017 later this year. Describing full-blown managed security services, Bellini said: "There’s a handful of guys who know how to do it today. By the time we’re done everyone will be able to play in the game."
4. Five Touch Points: Even as the IT landscape evolves rapidly, the core building blocks for a successful IT services business remains the same, Bellini asserts: Marketing, selling, implementing, servicing and invoicing. The ConnectWise product suite aligns to fit those needs. "We're the only company that helps partners to hit on all five of those points," Bellini asserts.
5. A Free Taste: For more clues about where ConnectWise is heading next, Bellini says partners should check out the free taste of ConnectWise Control -- the company's remote control offering.
6. Storage Guardian: The company has unveiled real-time data recovery analytics for ConnectWise Automate and ConnectWise Manage partners who take advantage of Storage Guardian solutions to protect their critical business data, the company says. Take a look at their Real Time and Cost Estimator tool, which allows MSPs to really estimate downtimes and associated costs for customers. The tool even factors in broadband and narrowband connections, and the associated downtime/recovery time. David Minns (project manager) and Omry Farajun (owner, channel manager) are here at the conference briefing partners. Also, ask about a working prototype about the company's next major move involving cloud orchestration.
7. eFolder: The business continuity specialist will bet heavily on Replibit, which the company acquired in 2016. Also, keep an eye on eFolder's new BDR offering ("Nano"). The company is balancing its own APIs for third-party integrations while also making sure its core products and services (Anchor, Replibit, etc.) integrate with ConnectWise and other platforms. Oh, and this key update: Chief Strategy Officer Matt Nachtrab has essentially taken on the additional role of Chief Revenue Officer (CRO).
8. ConnectWise CloudConsole: Want to manage, monitor and bill Office 365 and Microsoft Azure cloud services? This update for ConnectWise CloudConsole allows partners to do that -- without necessarily having to buy ConnectWise's other tools...
9. Talent Acquisition, Empowerment and Retention: Brett Cheloff's keynote covered the five requirements for creating a positive energy team. They include vision, mindset, ownership, adaptation, safety.
