Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Real Talk for IT Pros & MSPs)

Uncle Marv interviews Kevin Lancaster and Matt Solomon from Channel Program about their new product, MyITspend. The guests introduce the tool as a client management solution designed to help MSPs optimize their client relationships and boost revenue. Kevin explains that MyITspend grew out of the need to solve big problems in the MSP industry and make operations more efficient. The tool started with the Navistack concept, which helps MSPs visualize their technology stack and identify gaps. MyITspend expands on this by allowing MSPs to manage their own and their clients' technology spend, contracts, and subscriptions. Matt highlights the tool's ability to uncover shadow IT and provide greater visibility into clients' technology investments. This enables MSPs to have more mature conversations during quarterly business reviews and identify new revenue opportunities.  He also demonstrates the tool's interface, showing how it helps MSPs track their own expenses, manage contracts, and visualize their clients' technology stacks. They emphasize the tool's potential for lead generation, allowing MSPs to offer it to prospects as a way to gain insight into their IT spend. Kevin and Matt discuss pricing, with internal use starting at $99 per month and customer-facing licenses at $249 per month. They stress the tool's affordability and potential ROI through improved operational efficiency and new revenue opportunities. The conversation touches on the challenges of getting clients to share their technology spend information and how MSPs can position the tool as a valuable service. The guests also hint at future developments, including integrations with PSAs and features to help MSPs manage contracts and commissions from various sources. Key Takeaways: MyITspend helps MSPs manage their own and clients' technology spendThe tool provides visibility into contracts, subscriptions, and renewal datesIt can be used for lead generation by offering it to prospectsMyITspend enables more mature conversations during quarterly business reviewsThe tool helps MSPs differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplaceIt addresses operational inefficiencies in contract and subscription managementPricing is designed to be affordable for MSPs of all sizesFuture developments include integrations with PSAs and expanded featuresWebsite: https://info.channelprogram.com/myitspend === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Dawn Sizer, CEO of Third Element Consulting, joins Uncle Marv to discuss the success of her MSP business. She attributes their success to working closely with her husband and having a strong leadership team. Dawn shares insights on adopting AI tools like Copilot, emphasizing the importance of skilled workers to effectively use these tools. The conversation covers Third Element Consulting's high client retention rate, which Dawn credits to authenticity, transparency, and building strong relationships with clients. They discuss the challenges of providing IT services to diverse industries, including government agencies and cannabis businesses, focusing on high availability and compliance. Dawn talks about her active participation in the channel community, highlighting the benefits of peer learning and vendor relationships. She also shares her company's growth plans, including hiring a salesperson and aiming for significant revenue increases. The episode concludes with a discussion on recent Florida man stories and upcoming industry events. Key Takeaways: Strong leadership team and working with a spouse can contribute to MSP successEffective use of AI tools requires skilled workersHigh client retention stems from authenticity and strong relationshipsDiverse client industries require focus on high availability and complianceActive channel participation provides valuable peer learning opportunitiesGrowth strategies include hiring dedicated sales staffLinks from the show: Date Night with The Sizers: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/293Florida Man Uses Alligator to Open Beer Can: https://tinyurl.com/5ak58crw  === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Joe Lohmeier, NinjaOne's new channel chief, joins the IT Business Podcast to discuss the company's recent developments and growth. NinjaOne, formerly known as NinjaRMM, has expanded its offerings to become a unified endpoint management platform serving both MSPs and internal IT departments. The conversation covers NinjaOne's rebranding, its recognition as a top RMM solution for 20 consecutive quarters, and the launch of the Ninja One Now partner program. Lohmeier highlights the company's focus on customer satisfaction, product innovation, and responsiveness as key factors in their success. NinjaOne's platform now includes features such as RMM, backup, patch management, endpoint monitoring, and mobile device management. The company has seen significant growth in both the MSP and enterprise markets, with some customers managing over 100,000 endpoints. Lohmeier discusses the challenges faced by MSPs in managing increasingly vulnerable and risky endpoints, and how NinjaOne is positioned to help address these issues. He also touches on the company's approach to AI integration, emphasizing a cautious and thoughtful implementation to ensure security and reliability. The interview concludes with insights into NinjaOne's global expansion, its record growth in 2023, and hints at upcoming announcements in the fall. Key Takeaways: NinjaOne has rebranded from NinjaRMM and expanded its offeringsThe company has been rated the #1 RMM for 20 consecutive quartersNinjaOne Now partner program launched to simplify partnershipsNinjaOne serves both MSPs and internal IT departmentsThe platform includes RMM, backup, patch management, and MDM featuresNinjaOne is seeing growth in both SMB and enterprise marketsThe company is taking a cautious approach to AI integrationNinjaOne is expanding globally with a strong presence in APAC and EMEAWebsite: https://www.ninjaone.com/ === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Sudhir Nambiar, co-founder and CEO of XAmplify, introduces their marketing automation platform tailored for MSPs and IT service providers. The platform offers solutions for channel marketing, partner relationship management, and through-channel marketing automation. XAmplify allows MSPs to conduct co-branded campaigns with multiple vendors, addressing the challenge of managing relationships with 10-15 vendors simultaneously. The platform provides a centralized location for marketing activities, deal registrations, and vendor management. Key features of XAmplify include: Co-marketing and co-selling capabilitiesIntegration with popular CRMs and PSAsWhite-label and co-branding optionsVideo hosting and landing page creationList management with built-in validationMulti-tenancy for managing multiple vendor relationshipsBidirectional sync between CRMs and marketing automation toolsSudhir emphasizes the platform's ability to protect MSPs' leads and contacts while enabling efficient collaboration with vendors. XAmplify also offers features for lead sharing, deal registration, and pipeline visibility. The platform aims to help MSPs grow their business by providing tools for revenue growth, closing deals faster, and expanding their service offerings. Sudhir shares his background as a former MSP, which influenced the development of XAmplify to address common industry challenges. Key Takeaways: XAmplify offers a centralized platform for MSPs to manage multiple vendor relationshipsThe platform provides co-marketing and co-selling capabilitiesIntegration with popular CRMs and PSAs streamlines workflowBuilt-in list validation and management protect MSPs' dataXAmplify aims to help MSPs grow revenue and close deals fasterWebsite: https://xamplify.com/ === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Wayne Creamer, founder and CEO of Symoda, returns to the IT Business Podcast to discuss the evolution of their customer-centric communication platform for managed service providers (MSPs). With 20 years of experience in the MSP space, Wayne identified communication as a recurring problem among customers, which led to the creation of Symoda. Initially a mobile-based solution, Symoda is expanding to desktop and team platforms like Slack and Teams. The platform integrates with ConnectWise and Autotask, enhancing communication and support within organizations. It offers features such as customizable push notifications, streamlined ticket management, and user onboarding processes. Wayne emphasizes the importance of effective communication in managing customer relationships. Symoda’s push notification feature allows for targeted communication with customers, helping to resolve issues quickly and improve satisfaction. The platform aims to enhance communication at all levels: end-user, MSP contact, and VIP support. The discussion also covers Symoda’s progress since last year, including the addition of a free customer option with marketing material, training, and a one-person trial. Wayne mentions plans for future integrations with other tools like Zendesk, Freshdesk, Halo, and Simot, aiming to make their solution end-user centric and adaptable to different tool changes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) development is underway at Symoda, with the goal of improving efficiency and providing personalized support options. Wayne shares insights on building customer trust, personalization, and the value of feedback in product evolution. Key Takeaways: Symoda addresses communication challenges in the MSP industryThe platform is expanding from mobile to desktop and team platformsIntegration with ConnectWise and Autotask enhances communication and supportAI development aims to improve efficiency and personalized supportEffective communication is crucial for managing customer relationshipsSymoda offers customizable push notifications and targeted communicationFuture integrations planned with various tools to increase adaptabilityWebsite: https://symoda.com/ === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv and Matt Koenig catch up after a missed meeting at IT Nation Secure. They discuss NodeWare's continuous vulnerability management solution and its recent spin-off as a separate company. Matt highlights Nodeware's compliance with various cybersecurity standards, including the recently updated CIS control version 8.1. The conversation covers Nodeware's new patch management feature, which allows users to schedule and deploy Windows updates directly from the dashboard. Matt explains the process of selecting and applying patches, emphasizing the importance of giving users notice before reboots. They discuss the challenges MSPs face in implementing vulnerability management across all clients and Nodeware's efforts to address these concerns. Matt mentions potential partnerships with third-party companies to assist MSPs in managing the initial influx of vulnerability data. The podcast touches on NodeWare's integrations with various platforms and marketplaces, as well as upcoming features like third-party patching for Windows ecosystem applications and support for Mac and Linux systems. Uncle Marv and Matt stress the importance of MSPs being proactive in cybersecurity, understanding their clients' cyber liability insurance requirements, and avoiding "willful ignorance" when it comes to security vulnerabilities. Key Takeaways: Nodeware now offers patch management directly from its dashboardContinuous vulnerability management is crucial for compliance and cybersecurityMSPs should be proactive in addressing security vulnerabilities for all clientsUnderstanding and meeting cyber liability insurance requirements is essentialUpcoming features include third-party patching and support for Mac and Linux systems === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Larry Garcia introduces Strety as a Business Operating System Software (BOSS) designed to help companies improve operational efficiency. The tool focuses on key performance indicators (KPIs), goal setting, and project management. Strety integrates with Microsoft Teams and offers features such as smart agendas, automatic reminders, and goal tracking. It can be used internally by MSPs and can also be offered to their clients as a value-added service. Garcia explains that Strety helps companies execute on data insights, filling the gap left by tools like Bright Gauge, which primarily focused on data visualization. The platform guides users through implementing operational improvements, similar to what a business coach might recommend. The interview highlights Strety's approach to onboarding, recommending that companies start with weekly meeting cadences before progressing to goal setting and long-term planning. Garcia shares an example of an MSP that improved efficiency by 5-10% after implementing Strety, potentially saving on hiring additional staff. Garcia also discusses Strety's participation in the IT Nation Pitch It program and their plans for future growth and development. Key Takeaways: Strety is a business management tool designed for operational efficiencyIt integrates with Microsoft Teams to reduce tool fatigueThe platform can be used internally by MSPs and offered to their clientsStrety focuses on KPIs, goal setting, and project managementImplementation can lead to significant efficiency improvements for businessesWebsite: https://www.strety.com/ === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Patrick Clawson introduces CheckRed Security as a comprehensive cloud security SaaS solution that covers both cybersecurity and compliance aspects. The platform uniquely addresses IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS security in a single multi-tenant environment, making it ideal for service providers. CheckRed goes beyond monitoring and risk assessment by providing guided remediation workflows and detailed reports. The platform is designed to be MSP-friendly, with features like free sign-ups and simplified charging based on employee count. Clawson highlights the platform's efficiency, mentioning that it can scan a 1,000-user environment in just 10 minutes and a 70,000-user environment in about an hour and 15 minutes. This speed allows MSPs to create new revenue-generating opportunities quickly. The platform is API-based and doesn't require agents. It integrates with existing cyber platforms like SOAR, XDR, and SEM. CheckRed provides a multi-tenant view for MSPs, allowing them to see security scores for all clients at once, based on the NIST ERM score. CheckRed covers about 60 major SaaS apps, including less commonly monitored platforms like Monday.com. The platform also includes an SDK for onboarding and managing lesser-known apps at a local level.Key Takeaways: CheckRed offers a comprehensive cloud security solution for IaaS, PaaS, and SaaSThe platform is designed specifically for MSPs and service providersRapid scanning and reporting capabilities save time and create new revenue opportunitiesMulti-tenant design allows easy management of multiple clientsCovers a wide range of SaaS apps, including less common onesWebsite: https://checkred.com/ === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv interviews Zach Kromkowski from Senteon, a cybersecurity company participating in the IT Nation Pitch It Accelerator program. Senteon provides automated system hardening and compliance solutions for workstations, servers, and browsers based on CIS standards. Zach explains that Senteon's platform automates the implementation of over 1,200 security settings recommended by CIS. The company has rewritten about 550 GPOs from a security perspective and hosts weekly educational webinars with CIS and subject matter experts to discuss these settings. Senteon's approach differs from traditional methods like Intune or Group Policy by not only pushing changes but also verifying their effectiveness. The platform includes a learning mode to tailor risk assessments and create a roadmap for improving security posture over time. The interview covers Senteon's pricing model, which is $1 per endpoint per month with a 250-endpoint minimum. Zach emphasizes the tool's MSP-friendly features, including multi-tenancy support and the ability to deploy settings across multiple clients. Key features of Senteon include real-time monitoring, analysis, and alerting, as well as the ability to track changes made by users and revert them if necessary. The platform also offers an "undo button" to quickly revert all changes made by Senteon. Zach highlights Senteon's unique approach to security configuration management, making changes directly via the Win32 API rather than relying on Microsoft tools. The platform works with both cloud and on-premises environments and can help identify misconfigured settings and potential security issues. Key Takeaways: Senteon automates system hardening based on CIS standardsThe platform covers 1,200+ security settings for workstations, servers, and browsersSenteon offers real-time monitoring, analysis, and alertingPricing is $1 per endpoint per month with a 250-endpoint minimumThe platform includes a learning mode and multi-tenancy support for MSPsSenteon can identify misconfigured settings and potential security issuesThe "undo button" allows quick reversion of all changes made by SenteonWebsite: www.senteon.com === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Robert J. Scott, co-founder of Monjur, returns to the IT Business Podcast to discuss their contracts-as-a-service platform for IT managed service providers. Scott highlights the benefits of participating in the IT Nation Pitch It Accelerator program, including valuable connections and exposure that have accelerated Monjur's growth. Monjur offers a cloud-based legal service with industry-leading templates customized for each MSP and dynamically updated. The platform integrates with quoting tools and sales processes, streamlining the contracting process. Scott explains the difference between their Essentials and Standard plans, with the Essentials plan designed for smaller MSPs with revenue under $1.5 million. The interview covers how Monjur stays current with various state and international laws using AI-powered legal research tools in partnership with Lexis Nexus. Scott also discusses the affordability of their services, with plans starting at $149 per month for smaller MSPs. The conversation explores the types of templates available, including master service agreements, statements of work, and specialized attachments for managed compliance and AI services. Scott emphasizes the importance of their Schedule of Third-Party Services, which acts as a waiver protecting MSPs from liability related to third-party vendors. The podcast also discusses the relationship between Monjur's services and E&O insurance, highlighting how their platform provides additional protections not covered by insurance. Scott explains how Monjur can assist MSPs in incident response and claims defense, depending on their insurance carrier and policy.Key Takeaways: Monjur offers cloud-based, dynamically updated legal services for MSPsThe platform integrates with quoting tools to streamline the contracting processPricing starts at $149/month for smaller MSPs with revenue under $1.5 millionMonjur uses AI-powered legal research tools to stay current with laws and regulationsThe Schedule of Third-Party Services provides crucial liability protection for MSPsMonjur's services complement E&O insurance by offering additional protections === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast