Workshop

Session Leader: Ben Stiegler, CEO, SynerTel

Managed Services 101 
Managed services is a buzz phrase that’s overused and misused. This session will attempt to clear up the confusion.  For starters, managed services is not a product, but how it’s delivered. Find out more about what’s a managed service and what’s not in this instructive tutorial.

Speaker: Katherine Trost, Research Analyst, Nemertes Research

Why Managed Services? 
The channel has gotten along just fine without managed services for a long time. What’s the big deal? Why do customers want it? Why is it good for the channel? This session will cover the market drivers, the revenue opportunity and the impact to VARs and agents.

Speaker: Jim Hamilton, Senior Director Member Relations, CompTIA

Becoming an MSP 
If you are a marketing organization or a break/fix shop, becoming a managed services business requires a transformation. Find out what becoming an MSP entails – from building and staffing a 24/7 NOC, to developing your service portfolio, to building processes and transitioning customers to the new delivery platform.

Speaker: Bernie McGroder, Vice President of Sales Engineering, MegaPath

Partnering With MSPs 
While becoming an MSP offers certain advantages, such as customer ownership, it’s not the right fit for everyone. However, there are MSPs that are looking for sales partners – from private-label to agents. Find out how you can jumpstart your entry into the managed services business with partnerships.

Speaker: Brian Suerth, Executive Vice President & Partner of Technology Assurance Group (TAG)