An Interview With Andy Readman
Andy Readman is the Principal Consultant at Pax8 EMEA. He explains to Richard Tubb why MSPs should consider using Pax8 Professional Services and why they don’t need to worry that it’s competition for them.
Andy’s focus is on developing the Pro Services’ capability to deliver services to Pax8’s MSP partners that will make a tangible difference to their businesses, help them grow and get the most from the cloud marketplace.
Watch the Interview with Andy
How Pax8 Professional Services Helps MSPs
Andy explains that Pax8 seek to really push the boundaries of what a partner in their ecosystem can do with the tools they offer. They choose the best people to be part of the Pro Services team, making them architects of an incredible piece of software.
“With Pax8 ProServices, we help people across the modern workplace with top-class infrastructure, apps, data, AI and business applications. So we cover all four of the Microsoft key technology areas, and the team is involved at all levels with the clients.
“That might be strategic discussions around implantation; it might be support with enablement. And it also includes migrations, upskilling the client’s staff and helping them to add new revenue streams. We also provide ongoing critical application support.”
What Digital Transformation Means for MSPs
Andy admits that many people might think digital transformation is just a buzzword, or that it’s irrelevant for SMBs. “But everything will be digital from now on, so supporting clients with that is a key skill for MSPs.
“They need to be a strategic partner and deliver what their partners need. And more importantly, to advise them on what they don’t know they need yet. MSPs will have to provide bespoke solutions to fit their clients’ needs.
“My colleague Limara Thorne put it like this: “For an MSP to survive, their clients need to thrive.” Both of you need to succeed in a time of such accelerated growth and change that we can expect to see in the next few years.”
How the Pax8 Professional Services Solution Helps with Cybersecurity
The Professional Services option from Pax8 gives outsourced, standardised assessments of tools and applications being used by MSPs and their clients.
“We provide reports with our recommended remediations and improvements. And we give pointers on how employees can upskill themselves too. So, we work with our partners to find areas where they can use automations to improve their systems.
“We prefer to arm our partners with the skills to do things themselves, so they don’t rely on us too much. We also offer a cybersecurity masterclass on what best practice looks like, how to talk about it with your clients, and how to be prepared for future threats.”
Why MSPs Should Try Microsoft Intune
One of the biggest challenges for MSPs during the covid pandemic was supporting their clients who’d had to switch to remote workforces. As hybrid working is now here to stay, there’s a greater need for managing multiple devices all accessing a company’s networks.
In order to allow MSPs to do this effectively, Microsoft’s Intune is a great option. “At an enterprise level, you need to control and govern everything. And what we’re seeing more of is empowering the user to take responsibility of their IT infrastructure”, says Andy.
“What I love is the little differences. So with MAM (mobile application management), the management is now at the application level, not the device level. This is great, because we have to be realistic about the fact that employees are using their own devices to access work data.”
The Importance of Utilising New Technologies
Andy adds that MSPs need to help their clients to embrace new technologies, not avoid them. “Employees in smaller businesses often use their own devices for work. And either the company has no control over what they’re doing, or they could wipe the entire device, which is terrifying for the employee.
“MDM (mobile device management) gives granular control, which is only possible because operating systems are so flexible. And it’s a great example of positive tech use. A device can be secured without it ever coming into head office. Pax8 work with their MSP partners to cost this appropriately.”
One of the big projects they’ve worked on is demystifying Azure. “We looked at why MSPs don’t use it as much as they could. Firstly, what challenges do they have? Secondly, how can it be more affordable? And how can they be more confident about offering it to their clients?”
Easy Tool Migration with Professional Services From Pax8
Pax8 take the time to find out what each client needs in terms of migration and integration. “The team learn how to do migrations directly from each provider, such as Microsoft.
“They have to understand all the potential options, and how complex the migration might be. And they have to factor in backup and data recovery, SQL servers and things like that.”
And because the team have done all that learning, MSPs who sign up for Professional Services know that they’ll be supported with tool migration. Plus, they’re prepared for future changes and developments too.
How to Connect With Andy Readman
- Pax8
- Follow Pax8 on Twitter
- Like Pax8 on Facebook
- Follow Pax8 on LinkedIn
- Connect with Andy on LinkedIn
How to Connect With Me
- Subscribe to TubbTalk RSS feed
- Subscribe, rate and review TubbTalk in iTunes
- Subscribe, rate and review TubbTalk on Stitcher Radio
- Subscribe and rate TubbTalk on Spotify
- Follow TubbTalk on iHeartRadio
- Follow @tubblog on Twitter
Mentioned in This Episode
- Pax8 ProServices
- Case study: Single Source ICT
- CompTIA report into the digital skills gap
- Pax8 Events: including Launch Briefing & Cyber Security Masterclass
- Azure demystification webinar
- Microsoft Intune
- Get started with Pax8
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Richard Tubb is one of the best-known experts within the global IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) community. He launched and sold his own MSP business before creating a leading MSP media and consultancy practice. Richard helps IT business owner’s take back control by freeing up their time and building a business that can run without them. He’s the author of the book “The IT Business Owner’s Survival Guide” and writer of the award-winning blog www.tubblog.co.uk
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