Tubbservatory Round-Up – Tools and Resources for Your MSP
This month’s topics include: Ticketing System, Cloud, Cybersecurity, eBook, Productivity, Helpdesk, Support.
Tubbservatory: The March 2024 Round-Up Video
Tubbservatory Round-Up #27: March – Week 1
#1 Life of an MSP Who Doesn’t Have a Ticketing System
We kick things off this week by asking the question “What would life be like for an MSP be like without a ticketing system?”
That’s the topic that Akshaya Devi of SuperOps tackles in her latest article.
This is a thought provoking article, and well worth a read!
#2 ‘A Bit Iffy, but Important They Did It’ – 5 Experts Give Verdict on Government MSP Study
‘A bit iffy, but important they did it’. That’s the feedback from Paul Lloyd on the recent UK Government’s study of Managed Service Providers.
Doug Woodburn of IT Channel Oxygen covers feedback from Canalys‘ Robin Ody, Cavell‘s Dom Black, Network Group‘s Dave Tulip, Paul Lloyd and me as we weigh in on this eye-catching report.
#3 State of Cloud: 2024
Should you continue with your current cloud architecture and tools, even if it is not meeting clients needs? Or should you adopt a different approach, which is more open and distributed, swapping out a platform-centric approach for one that is cloud native?
Those are just two of the big questions that will be tackled as Akamai Linode host their State of Cloud: 2024 live event, which took place on Thur March 7th.
Dolo Miah of Linebreak, Mike Kasprzak of Ludum Dare, and Jay Jenkins, CTO, Cloud Computing, Akamai Technologies all contributed to this intriguing conversation.
#4 Is Microsoft Loop the End of Onenote?
Is Microsoft Loop the end of Microsoft OneNote?
That’s the question that MSP Jonathan Edwards asks in his latest thought provoking video.
Microsoft Loop was launched in November 2023 and lots of people have compared it to OneNote. But is Microsoft Loop really aimed at replacing OneNote or a different kind of app altogether?
Watch Jonathan’s video for the full story.
#5 Stand Strong in the Face of Cyber Threats
The Cloud & Cybersecurity Expo took place at the ExCel in London on Wed 6th and Thur 7th March 24.
Thousands of Cybersecurity experts were in attendance, including Mostyn Thomas and the Cybersecurity team from Pax8.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #27: March – Week 2
#1 One Woman in Tech’s Remarkable Journey from MSP to Community Manager
Former MSP owner Nancy Henriquez, who is now blazing a trail as the Head of Community for Next-Gen Managed Service platform vendor, SuperOps, was my guest in a recent episode of my TubbTalk podcast.
In our interview, Nancy shared her views on the key strengths and unique perspectives that women bring to the Managed Services industry, as well as how she sees the role of women evolving in the tech space over the next 5-10 years.
Nancy is an inspiring woman who has been there and done that in the MSP space.
#2 Making Cybersecurity Accessible for Women
How can we make Cybersecurity accessible for Women?
While women comprise around half of the total workforce, they make up less than 25 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce. So why is this?
That’s the question that Rachel Bishop of Huntress asked in this article, and the section on “advice to give to folks who’d like to be an ally to women in cyber” is a powerful read.
Highly recommended.
#3 Why Ada Lovelace is an Inspiration for Women in Tech Everywhere
Here’s Why Ada Lovelace is an Inspiration for Women in Tech Everywhere.
In this article by our very own Gudrun Lauret, we look at how as far back as 1843, Ada Lovelace was essentially the world’s first computer programmer, blazing a trail in the use of the Analytical Machine, a precursor to the modern computer.
This article is the story of a remarkable woman.
#4 How to Break Down Barriers so Women in IT Succeed
One of our most popular TubbTalk interviews in recent times is my conversation with Chloe Cameron of Pax8, where we discuss How to Break Down Barriers so Women in IT Succeed.
In our conversation, Chloe shares What it’s Like for Women in IT, Advice for Women Joining the IT Industry, and The One Skill Chloe uses Every Day for success.
We had so much great feedback on this interview. Thank you, Chloe for being a great guest.
#5 Women in Tech E-book for International Women’s Day 2024
If you’re looking for more inspiration from Amazing Women in Tech, then download our free eBook celebrating the achievements and expertise of women working in the tech industry.
Featuring insights from Amanda Stewart, Vera Tucci, Maggie Philbin, Diana Giles, Grace Marshall, Jennifer Bleam, Olesia Klevchuck and more — this eBook is available for free thanks to the kind support of our friends at Barracuda MSP.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #27: March – Week 3
#1 Conversational Managed Security Services for MSPs
We kick off this week with a brand new eBook that can help MSPs sell cybersecurity.
“Conversational Managed Security Services for MSPs” from Barracuda MSP, shares insights into the opportunities that exist for MSPs to offer security services, How to move your MSP business towards offering managed security services, The different types of services you can offer under the managed security umbrella.
This eBook is available now as a free download.
#2 Timtalk With Our CEO Ian Schenkel
And talking of cybersecurity, a video that caught my eye is Timothy Hughes, the author of Social Selling, speaking to Ian Shenkel of Endida about The need for businesses to simulate cyber-attacks.
This video looks not only at Pen-Testing, but also the importance of marketing your services well.
#3 Recommended Books for MSPs
A new book that I’m very intrigued by is Cal Newport’s “Slow Productivity – The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout”.
The central goal of Slow Productivity is to keep an individual worker’s volume at a sustainable level.
We need fewer things to work on. Starting now, says Newport.
I don’t think anybody would disagree.
#4 Securing Your Business: a Live Discussion on Screenconnect Vulnerability
If you missed news of the recent ConnectWise ScreenConnect vulnerability, then this video should be very important to every ConnectWise MSP.
MJ Shoer, Chief Community Officer at CompTIA, and Patrick Beggs, CISO at ConnectWise provide valuable insights on how partners can enhance their cybersecurity hygiene to safeguard against malicious attacks.
#5 The Cyber Defense Lab – Built for MSPs
Throughout March and April, Huntress will be taking their Cyber Defense Lab on the road! With dates in California, Texas, Chicago and Georgia, the Cyber Defense Lab offers to help MSPs.
Defend against the real threats your clients are facing. Elevate your clients’ defenses and security strategy. Learn from the lessons your MSP peers had to learn the hard way
Build a custom security strategy made to fight always-evolving cyber threats. Registration is now open
Tubbservatory Round-Up #27: March – Week 4
#1 Karl’s Famous 68-Point Checklist – Version 4.0 Released!
If you’ve never checked out MSP legend Karl Palachuk‘s famous 68-point checklist for IT Solution Providers, then version 4.0 has just been released!
Karl’s checklist been used by thousands of IT Professionals to begin their network audits, provide monthly maintenance of client computers, and generally keep client computers tuned up and working great.
I used this checklist when I ran my own MSP business, and years later, it’s still as valuable. An essential download for MSPs!
#2 What Keeps MSP Owners Awake at Night
What keeps MSP owners awake at night?
That’s the question that Bradley Munday of Uptime asked to a room full of MSPs.
Out of hours support, Finding and Retaining Good Staff, and making time for pro-active tasks when inundated with business-as-usual helpdesk tickets were just three areas MSPs highlighted as causing concern.
#3 Meet GDPR Bot!
Meet GDPR bot, a great example of an AI Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (or GPT) that will answer any question that you might ask about GDPR.
Put together by Richard Nicholas of Jacobson Browne, this is a great example of how AI can be used to create genuinely useful tools.
#4 Dell Focuses on Future Tech, Collaboration With Program Update
News that the latest Dell Program Update for MSPs will see Dell Focuses on Future Tech and Collaboration, reports Larry Walsh of Channelnomics.
New enhancements focus on AI, edge computing, and increased incentives, aiming to boost partner engagement and prepare for next-gen tech advancements.
#5 Ultimate IT Growth Conference
Cybersecurity Expert Jennifer Bleam hosts the 2024 Ultimate IT Growth Conference between May 6th-8th in Dallas, Texas.
The event offers to share the Foundational Marketing And Sales Execution Systems Of Leading 7-Figure Firms, enabling attendees to build a sales process that will help you reach your next milestone.
Tickets are now available!
Tubbservatory Round-Up #27: March – Week 5
#1 ChatGPT Starter Pack: 10 Amazing Prompts to Improve Your Business Now
If you’re looking to utilise AI this year, then a great place to begin is Mark Schaefer’s ChatGPT Starter Pack.
One of the world’s top marketing experts, Schaefer provides ChatGPT prompts that can discover hidden relationships that lead to sales, have the world’s greatest experts create your web copy and many more!
#2 A Catastrophe for Control: Understanding the Screenconnect Authentication Bypass
The recent ConnectWise ScreenConnect vulnerability caused some angst in the Managed Service community, and the very same day the exploit was announced, Cybersecurity experts Huntress put together an excellent insight into what happened and how MSPs can stay safe.
#3 Wasabi 2024 Cloud Storage Index Report
I recently caught up with the team at Wasabi, who shared their 2024 Cloud Storage Index Report.
Some highlights from the report include that Cloud Storage is expected to grow by at least 9% in 2024, and a whopping 45% of organizations say they exceeded their cloud storage budget because of additional migration of applications and data to the cloud than originally anticipated.
This report is well worth a free download.
#4 Is a Lack of Trust Damaging Your Business Growth?
Is a lack of trust damaging your business growth?
Uptime and Inbay CEO Bradley Munday shares his thoughts in this powerful LinkedIn article on building a successful team.
I personally learned a lot from Munday’s short read, and would highly recommend it to any business owner.
#5 Google Cloud Next Event
The big Google Cloud Next event takes place in Las Vegas between April 9th-11th 2024.
Next ’24 is Google’s global exhibition of inspiration, innovation, and education, and features three epic day, of visionary keynotes, the latest technology innovations, and live sessions on everything from generative AI to security.
Registration is now open!
Links to the Resources Mentioned in this Round-Up
From Week 1
- Life of an MSP Who Doesn’t Have a Ticketing System
- ‘A Bit Iffy, but Important They Did It’ – 5 Experts Give Verdict on Government MSP Study
- State of Cloud: 2024
- Is Microsoft Loop the End of Onenote?
- Stand Strong in the Face of Cyber Threats
Mentioned in Week 2
- One Woman in Tech’s Remarkable Journey from MSP to Community Manager
- Making Cybersecurity Accessible for Women
- Why Ada Lovelace is an Inspiration for Women in Tech Everywhere
- How to Break Down Barriers so Women in IT Succeed
- Women in Tech E-book for International Women’s Day 2024
Week 3
- Conversational Managed Security Services for MSPs
- Timtalk With Our CEO Ian Schenkel
- Recommended Books for MSPs
- Securing Your Business: a Live Discussion on Screenconnect Vulnerability
- The Cyber Defense Lab – Built for MSPs
Week 4
- Karl’s Famous 68-Point Checklist – Version 4.0 Released!
- What Keeps MSP Owners Awake at Night
- Meet GDPR Bot!
- Dell Focuses on Future Tech, Collaboration With Program Update
- Ultimate IT Growth Conference
And Week 5
- ChatGPT Starter Pack: 10 Amazing Prompts to Improve Your Business Now
- A Catastrophe for Control: Understanding the Screenconnect Authentication Bypass
- Wasabi 2024 Cloud Storage Index Report
- Is a Lack of Trust Damaging Your Business Growth?
- Google Cloud Next Event
How You Can Help
As Tubbservatory Round-Up #27 comes to a close, we’re gearing up for April!
Got something awesome to share? Whether it’s a nifty tool or a resource that’s piqued your interest, drop it in the comments below and let’s keep the laid-back knowledge exchange going strong. Your input matters!
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I'm the MSP Community Manager for Tubblog. A small business owner, technical writer and blogger, with 15 years experience in corporate IT. I frequently attend MSP peer groups and create content relevant to IT service providers and business owners.
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