CHICO, CA., September 24, 2005 – MSPAlliance, the International Association of Managed Service Providers, today announced the Vendor Accreditation Program (VAP) for the managed services industry. VAP is the first program of its kind, specifically designed by MSPs as a benchmark for vendors who sell to the MSP community. Vendors who earn the VAP seal have shown they abide by the highest principles of quality in areas such as financial stability, positive channel practices, product research and development, and MSP customer satisfaction.
The following vendors have received accreditation under the new program:
• Intel
• SilverBack/Dell
• Asigra
• Untangle
• XRoads Networks
• LiveCargo
• N-able
“The Vendor Accreditation Program is important for the MSP channel because it reflects areas of true importance to both MSPs and their customers,” said Charles Weaver, president of the MSPAlliance. “MSPs can use the VAP endorsement to help them better select a trusted vendor and know they are doing business with a company that has products or solutions specifically designed for MSPs.”
VAP was created using a wide base of criteria considered important by MSPs when selecting a vendor. Criteria examined during the accreditation process include:
• Business practices: Focusing on channel development, channel competition safeguards, experience in the managed services industry, etc.
• Product Roadmap: examining the vendor’s willingness to invest in their products in order to ensure continued relevance for the MSPs throughout their maturation.
• Financial: Examination of financial stability to ensure adequate support of channel initiatives and product development.
• Client References: Vendor must provide at least 3 MSP specific client references.
The MSPAlliance, with more than 2,000 corporate members worldwide, is committed to increasing reliability and dependability in the industry surrounding the value and benefit of using Managed Service Providers to provide a wide range of mission-critical services. In addition, the MSPAlliance collects data on the practice of managed services on behalf of its members, to help them increase the value delivery of IT to the organizations they serve.
About MSPAlliance
The MSPAlliance is a global organization made up of more than 2000 managed service providers and service enabling technology vendors, who work in a collaborative effort to define, promote and educate the Managed Services Industry and the end-user consumer on the adoption and successful use of technology through Managed Services.
For more information about the MSPAlliance please visit www.mspalliance.com/.