Tubbservatory Round-Up – Tools and Resources for Your MSP
Every single week, Richard brings you five must-have resources that all you Managed Service Provider (MSP) rockstars in the IT world should absolutely have on your radar. Say hello to the Tubbservatory! It’s your weekly video fix, packed to the brim with hand-picked articles, podcasts, and events that are of great interest to amazing IT business owners just like yourself. And guess what’s on the menu? You got it – introducing Tubbservatory Round-Up #21 for September 2023. We’ve gone the extra mile to put together the juiciest episodes from this month, all polished up and ready for your viewing pleasure. So don’t sweat about missing a beat, because it’s all right here, waiting for you whenever you’re ready to dive in.
Now, let’s talk about what’s been sizzling this month. I’ve got quick and snappy summaries lined up for each topic, listed below. And hey, if you’re itching to explore further, no worries – the links to all the resources I’m talking about in the video are waiting for you at the end of this article. So go on, kick back, relax, and soak in the Tubbservatory Round-Up extravaganza! Enjoy reliving all those incredible moments!
This month’s topics include: Merges & Acquisitions, NOC, Whitelabelled Outsourcing, Helpdesk, Open Source Tech Stack, Growth, Productivity, Sustainability, Kubernetes and much more.
Tubbservatory: The September 2023 Round-Up Video
Tubbservatory Round-Up #21: September – Week 1
#1 Breaking News from Uptime Solutions and Inbay!
We start this week with a huge breaking piece of news from Bradley Munday, co-founder of Uptime Solutions!
I’m excited to hear that Uptime Solutions and Inbay are coming together to give MSPs even more scope for white-labeled outsourcing of their Helpdesk, Network Operation Centre (NOC), and project resources.
I sat down with Jason Kemsley and Bradley Munday of Uptime to ask them questions and hear more about the implications of this deal. Keep your eyes peeled for that video and podcast, released this coming Monday 4th Sept.
#2 What an MSP Should Do When Growth Plateaus
A podcast that caught my ear was MSP expert Pete Matheson speaking with the SuperOps‘ SuperPod on what an MSP should do when growth plateaus.
Matheson grew his MSP business to over 16 staff and over £1.2m in revenue. He successfully sold the business in 2020, so he knows a thing or two about growth.
#3 From Procrastinator to Productivity Ninja: Try This Technique Now!
Have you ever wondered if you have ADHD with an inability to concentrate?
MSP expert Todd Kane’s latest video shares a powerful technique to overcome procrastination and become a productivity ninja, using the Pomodoro technique.
I’ve used Pomodoro for many years and swear by it, so if you need some help getting productive, check out Todd’s video
#4 The Sustainable Tech Partner Website
If sustainability is a goal for your tech business (and it should be) then check out the Sustainable Tech Partner website.
The brainchild of technology journalism legend Joe Panettieri, the website offers news, insights, and advice to empower technology partners & their customers to achieve & maintain their sustainability goals.
#5 XChange EMEA conference
And finally, CRN will be hosting its first XChange EMEA conference on 10th-11th October 2023 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The line-up looks impressive, including market leaders such as Managed Cybersecurity Platform, Huntress, so this event is definitely one to check out.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #21: September – Week 2
#1 This Year’s Best Open Source Tools to Improve Your MSP Stack
A free MSP book that is proving incredibly popular in the industry is the Ultimate Open Source Tech Stack Guide for MSPs from Akamai Linode.
Open Source lets you can save on license costs and support, and their are open source projects for everything from help desk tools and ticketing to infrastructure security.
#2 Cybersecurity Threat Advisory: Global Ransomware Campaign Targeting MSPs
Some worrying news as SmarterMSP reports a Global ransomware campaign targeting MSPs.
Zachary Beaudet reports that The Play Ransomware Group, also known as PlayCrypt, are currently waging a global cyberattack campaign against multiple midsize businesses in sectors like finance, legal, software, shipping and law enforcement.
This article contains a number of recommendations from Cybersecurity specialists Barracuda MSP on how MSPs can protect themselves against attack.
#3 MSPs On Growth During Economic Uncertainty: ‘Traditional IT is Dead’
Traditional IT is Dead, reports Gina Narcisi for CRN from the Xchange 2023 Conference in the USA.
Karen Penticost of Envision Technology says they saw strong revenue during the first half of 2023 thanks to its focus on cybersecurity services.
And Corey Kirkendoll of 5K Technical Services says they focused on having conversations with client’s to understand their changing needs.
This article is worth reading for any MSP.
#4 Powerful Books that Inspire: Top Picks for Entrepreneurs on Book Lover’s Day
Team Tubb and I recently collated our recommendations of Powerful Books that Inspire: Top Picks for Entrepreneurs.
My pick was The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, while Stephen McCormick picked Take Your Shot by Robin Waite.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our full list!
#5 Kaseya DattaCon
And finally, lots of MSPs will be headed to Miami, Florida for October 2-4th for Kaseya DattoCon!
If you’ve not already got your ticket, then we’re afraid to say the event is sold out — but you can expect plenty of news to emerge via Fred Voccola and the team at this huge event!
Tubbservatory Round-Up #21: September – Week 3
#1 SecurityRadar – Scale Your Security Practice with Data-Driven Insights for Personalised Customer Engagement and Growth
What can be measured, can be managed, but how can you measure your Cybersecurity effectiveness as an MSP?
Well, earlier this year SkyKick launched their SecurityRadar platform to enable Microsoft Partners to use data-driven insights to proactively engage with their client’s on Cybersecurity on Foundational security insights, Access & permissions, Mailbox security, plus Teams, collaboration & Tenant security.
#2 Build Open Source AWS ECS, Explore Odoo, ChannelCon, Akamai CTO
Digital guru James Steel is back with another awesome video for Akamai Linode, this time with a Matrix-themed look at Open Source alternatives to AWS ECS.
Plus, James takes a look at CompTIA ChannelCon23 and more!
#3 First NIST update in a decade: What MSPs need to know
After ten years, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have released an update for their for roadmaps and best practices in cybersecurity.
Kevin Williams reports for SmarterMSP that NIST had been built around five key components: identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover. Now they have added a sixth, the “govern” function.
With NIST being a popular framework for MSPs, I’d recommend every IT business be aware of these changes.
#4 Need to Know Podcast–Episode 309
A Podcast that caught my ear was the Need to Know Podcast with Microsoft Cloud expert Robert Crane.
In episode 309, Crane looks at all the latest news and updates from the Microsoft Cloud with a focus on SMB. Inside this episode are also some thoughts around incident response: why you should have one and why you should be reviewing and updating it regularly.
Well worth a listen!
#5 MSP Spotlight with Richard Tubb: Upleveling your MSP Business
And finally, on Sept 26th I’ll be hosting an MSP Spotlight on MJ Flood, a leading technology solutions and managed services provider in Ireland.
Join me as I speak with James Finglas, Managing Director, MJ Flood Technology to share how they have successfully brought a new offering – Extended Detection and Response (XDR) – to market.
Thanks to Barracuda MSP for hosting this conversation. Registration is now open!
Tubbservatory Round-Up #21: September – Week 4
#1 Backstories: Pax8 x Funky Mouse
“My soul is to help others. And that is why I love technology.” says Tim Kidney, Chief Mouse of Funky Mouse, who have been helping SMBs for over 10 years in the Dorset area with IT support in this inspiring video from Pax8 focusing on one of their partners.
From feeding locals in his community who are unhoused with free pizzas through his project, Pizza in Need, to the non-profits he supports with IT services, Tim is a Pax8 partner making a difference.
#2 AgoraPulse – Inbox Zero for Social Media
With Social Media being a key part of most MSPs marketing efforts, I’m often asked which tool I recommend to MSP marketing teams trying to manage conversations over multiple platforms.
We use AgoraPulse which provides an Inbox Zero for Social Media and connects with Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and more.
If you’re serious about your social media efforts, check out this tool. Thanks, Mike Allton for the recommendation!
#3 The Kubernetes Opportunity for MSPs | Interview With a Linode Solutions Engineer
A video that caught my attention was James Steel of Akamai Linode speaking with Solutions Engineer Billy Thompson about The Kubernetes Opportunity.
If you’re wondering how MSPs are taking advantage of Kubernetes to grow their business, then check out this conversation.
#4 Cloud Bursting: What it is and What it’s Good For
And talking of learning, if you’re not familiar with cloud bursting, then Stephen Pritchard of Computer Weekly has a great article on What it is and what it’s good for.
Cloud bursting allows firms to take advantage of the cloud’s almost limitless scale and capacity on a temporary basis, but without the need to move workloads permanently to the public cloud.
#5 CompTIA EMEA Member and Partner Conference
And finally, a reminder that the big CompTIA EMEA Conference takes place in London on October 2nd-3rd.
I’ll be speaking at the event, and the closing keynote speaker is the amazing television personality, Louis Theroux.
Registration is open to everyone in the MSP industry. I hope to see you there!
Tubbservatory Round-Up #21: September – Week 5
Best Of… #tubbservatory
#1 It’s A Numbers Game by the MSP Finance Team
A podcast that caught my ear this week is “It’s a Numbers Game” by MSP experts Daniel Welling and Adam Morris.
In this podcast series, MSP business owners will learn the fundamental steps, the tips and tricks, the dos and don’ts to achieve MSP financial growth.
#2 Revenue Stack: The 4 Tools Every MSP Needs to Manage Their Pipeline
And talking of money, MSP expert Ben Spector has written a great article about the Revenue Stack: The 4 Tools Every MSP Needs to Manage Their Pipeline. Spector describes how MSPs should focus on a Marketing CRM, Sales CRM, PSA and Accounting package.
#3 Pax8 Academy
The Pax8 Academy provides MSPs with an extensive library of free, on-demand content and paid instructor-led courses.
If you’re not already a Pax8 partner, then this new Academy adds so much value that it makes it a no-brainer to choose Pax8 to work with.
#4 MSP Success – Habits to Stand Out From the Competition
What habits are IT Solution Providers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) using to stand above their competitors? I offer some advice in a guest article I’ve written for Domotz. For instance, does your MSP business use Engineering Floorwalks?
Read more in this article.
#5 Generate More Leads, The Power of Portability, Maximising Your Cloud Spend and More…
If you’re not already following the amazing James Steel of Linode with his MSP videos, then you’re missing out! In his latest video, Steel shares insights on how to generate more leads, the power of portability, maximising your cloud spend and much more.
Steel’s YouTube is definitely a channel for MSPs to subscribe to!
Links to the Resources Mentioned in this Round-Up
From Week 1
- Breaking News from Uptime Solutions and Inbay!
- What an MSP Should do When Growth Plateaus
- From Procrastinator to Productivity Ninja: Try This Technique Now!
- The Sustainable Tech Partner Website
- XChange EMEA conference
Mentioned in Week 2
- This Year’s Best Open Source Tools to Improve Your MSP Stack
- Cybersecurity Threat Advisory: Global Ransomware Campaign Targeting MSPs
- MSPs On Growth During Economic Uncertainty: ‘Traditional IT Is Dead’
- Powerful Books that Inspire: Top Picks for Entrepreneurs on Book Lover’s Day
- Kaseya DattaCon
Week 3
- SecurityRadar – Scale your Security Practice with Data-Driven Insights for Personalised Customer Engagement and Growth
- Build Open Source AWS ECS, Explore Odoo, ChannelCon, Akamai CTO
- First NIST update in a decade: What MSPs need to know
- Need to Know Podcast – Episode 309
- MSP Spotlight with Richard Tubb: Upleveling your MSP Business
Week 4
- Backstories: Pax8 x Funky Mouse
- AgoraPulse – Inbox Zero for Social Media
- The Kubernetes Opportunity for MSPs | Interview With a Linode Solutions Engineer
- Cloud Bursting: What it is and What it’s Good For
- CompTIA EMEA Member and Partner Conference
And Week 5
- It’s A Numbers Game By The MSP Finance Team
- Revenue Stack: The 4 Tools Every MSP Needs to Manage Their Pipeline
- Pax8 Academy
- MSP Success – Habits to Stand out From the Competition MSP Success – Habits to Stand Out from the Competition
- Generate More Leads, The Power of Portability, Maximizing Your Cloud Spend and More…
How You Can Help
And that’s a wrap for Tubbservatory Round-Up #21!
Got something incredible to share? Whether it’s an awesome tool or a mind-blowing resource, we want to hear all about it!
Drop it in the comments below, and let’s keep the knowledge flowing. Your input means the world to us!
You Might Also be Interested in
I'm 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.
All PostsYou might like:
Comments