2011 was an exciting year for managed services and it seems that the next year will be no different. But, before we look into the future, let's take a quick look at 2011 and the memorable moments. I'd like to start a new tradition by asking all of you to add your comments and memorable moments of 2011, if you'd care to share them with the community. Here are some of my recollections of the past year.
Best Buy Purchases mindSHIFT: Perhaps no single event has occurred in the managed services profession in over 10 years that could match the legitimacy of a retail electronics store like Best Buy purchasing a veteran and certified MSP organization like mindSHIFT. While the aftermath of the transaction has been very quiet, having a mainstream company like Best Buy think so highly of our profession is in some way very rewarding, no matter what your thoughts are related to the acquisition.
Steve Jobs and iCloud: In the same year the world loses Steve Jobs, the iconic Apple CEO and visionary, the world also gains iCloud, a consumer focused cloud application that has the unforeseen side effect of making cloud computing as mainstream as email. iCloud may not be aimed at the business user but it has definitely brought the attention of the masses to cloud computing in general and what the possibilities are for businesses.
Zenith Infotech Changes: Zenith Infotech has experienced some major changes in 2011. First, it separated the company into two divisions, Zenith RMM and Zenith Infotech (the cloud and BDR division). Next, the company had some rather unpleasant dealings with its creditors. The last major event came when Zenith RMM changed its name to Continuum. The company came onto the managed services scene in 2004 and 2005 and seemed poised to dominate the industry. 2011 has presented some significant challenges to the company and it will be interesting to see how the organization reacts in 2012.
Fraud in the MSP Channel: The issue of fraud in the managed services (IT) channel has always been present, but in 2011 it seemed to reach the absurd. From hardware as a service companies being sued, to MSP websites (more than one) actually having their content stolen, we've witnessed some incredibly odd behavior. Luckily, this type of activity was kept to a minimum. Hopefully, 2012 will see this activity all but disappear.
