I'm here in Toronto at the Asigra Partner Summit and the room is filling up with MSPs dedicated to one discipline of managed services; backup! It's an unusual occurrence to witness such a focused group of MSPs when it comes to their profession. In many ways, data backup providers have a sense of daring about them; they are comfortable touching data every day, they protect it while it is in their custody, and they do it with a sense of ease and calm that is rarely seen in other MSP vertical segments.
For the next two days these MSPs will be addressing some common (and some not so common) issues facing their industry. A key theme here for Asigra is how to make their service provider partners more successful. Yes, that's a common theme for all channel events, but there is no doubt that Asigra sees its own financial future in direct relation to how its MSPs are performing.
I'll be updating this blog page throughout the conference so stay tuned for more developments!
The keynote from Asigra CEO David Farajun It has taken 26 years to bring the company to where it is today and the future is very bright for the data backup software company. Some of the upcoming product features include
- Remote virtual desktop recovery (not just onsite, but remote!) - NOC (configuration and management ) - Manage snapshots for big data
Asigra clearly has big plans, having just been added to the Gartner Magic Quadrant. Much of what the company is focused on seems to be around the performance of its product, particularly as its MSPs continue to move upstream to the mid market. Let there be no doubt, Asigra is a backup vendor very interested in big data and the many challenges it presents. This is not to say there aren't SMB providers in the room, because there are. However, the sense is that Mr. Farajun would like to see his MSPs achieving more by constantly reaching higher.
Another tangible feeling in the room is that Asigra is a company dedicated to its channel. In a world where many big vendors are trying to build their own brand in an attempt to ago direct to the end user customer. Asigra has made significant improvements and enhancements to its brand, both within the channel and to customers. It is undeniable, however, that Asigra sees its brand as just one of the many benefits it possesses that help it's MSPs become better.
