Datto, the backup and disaster recovery (BDR) specialist will likely launch at least one new product at next week's DattoCon EMEA 2016 conference (Oct. 27, London). It's also safe to expect some new Siris 3 features, along with management and monitoring enhancements. But that's not all.
Datto's MSPs are buzzing about a new BDR Assessment Tool, which is "designed to give Managed Service Providers a more in-depth look into a network as it pertains to recommending a proper Backup and Disaster Recovery solution." The tool, based on RapidFire technology, generates basic network information stats, a health scoring system, network speed test and a Datto solution sizing recommendation with an optional Datto RTO Calculator report.
Datto Previews BDR Assessment Tool for MSPs
Datto previewed the BDR Assessment Tool during a recent ASCII Group conference, according to Datto VP of Business Development Rob Rae. Buzz about the offering has since spread online, according to multiple tips from ChannelE2E readers. To get the tool, MSPs can simply send a blank email to [email protected]. An automated reply to the email offers more information about the tool.
Thousands of MSPs worldwide have embraced RapidFire tools to perform customer network, security, email and compliance assessments. The company has more than 7,000 customers (many of which are MSPs) that produce more than 150,000 reports containing more than 4 million pages per month, RapidFire says. I believe the BDR assessment tool was developed exclusively for Datto over the past eight months or so.
DattoCon EMEA 2016
Meanwhile, roughly 250 to 300 MSPs are expected to attend DattoCon EMEA 2016, which is set for Oct. 27 in London. The conference is part of a larger global strategy for the data protection company.
It's safe to expect at least two major Datto conferences per year going forward, each of which will feature CEO Austin McChord in a keynote slot. One conference will remain hosted in the United States -- with DattoCon 2017 set for June in Denver, Colo. The other may rotate from geography to geography -- though the near-term priority remains EMEA.
Datto has a growing footprint of MSPs in Australia and Asia. A new Singapore data center and office sets the stage for faster growth in Asia, Rae says.
BDR Market Evolution
Datto, which is backed by venture capital, certainly remains in growth mode. But the BDR market remains extremely crowded and many companies are starting to pivot a bit in terms of their branding, product mix and MSP focus.
A few examples:
- Acronis, for instance, now emphasizes software-defined storage.
- Autotask leveraged its file sync and sharing technology to push into endpoint data protection,
- Continuum emphasizes managed BDR as part of a larger outsourcing strategy that includes RMM (remote monitoring and management) and NOC (network operations center) services.
- eFolder just hired a channel chief to drive new partner opportunities.
- Intronis MSP Solutions by Barracuda has blurred the lines between backup and security.
- SolarWinds MSP is cross-selling its RMM and BDR wares.
- StorageCraft, now owned by private equity investors, has overhauled its executive team and partner program.
- Veeam just hired a new sales leader to push deeper into the enterprise, while also introducing backup services for Office 365.
- And players like Carbonite and Zetta increasingly focus on midmarket MSPs.
How does Datto plan to stand out from that crowd over the long haul? We'll poke around for answers -- and we expect more updates to surface at ConnectWise IT Nation 2016 in November. In the meantime, Datto will also have some product and technology surprises at its own EMEA event on Oct. 27.
