Podcasts about scalepad

The episode highlights a structural shift from automation that suggests actions to automation that executes actions autonomously, thereby transferring substantial operational risk and accountability to technology vendors and their AI-driven platforms. This transition is exemplified by Atera's deployment of their autonomous AI agent, Robin, which is positioned to handle a significant proportion of Tier 1 and complex Tier 2 IT tickets for managed service providers (MSPs). The company's commercial strategy, including performance guarantees, signals an increased expectation that AI can assume core IT operational responsibilities that were traditionally reserved for human engineers. Atera has introduced a policy wherein Robin is guaranteed to autonomously close at least 50% of all Tier 1 and complex Tier 2 tickets within 90 days of onboarding, or fees are waived. According to Atera, this commitment is supported by a backend analysis of MSP tickets and live demonstrations using historical data. The company asserts that Robin's mean time to repair is approximately 120 seconds, that onboarding is managed collaboratively, and that the rollout is more akin to hiring and training a human engineer than a standard software deployment. This approach is backed by patent filings and a business model integrating AI as the foundation rather than an add-on. The episode further examines the implications of mandatory AI bundling in Atera's redefined RMM and PSA platform offering. The company has faced pushback from segments of the MSP community dissatisfied with bundled AI services and associated pricing changes, particularly from those wishing to maintain control over their technology stack. Atera responds by describing a re-conceptualization of their platform as inherently AI-driven, distinguishing between “platform AI” and the autonomous Robin agent, and clarifying that preexisting AI users would not incur additional costs. There is also discussion around the impact of automation on human roles and the need for new approaches to training and accountability, particularly for junior staff. For MSPs and IT service providers, these developments signal an increase in infrastructure dependency on vendor-managed AI agents, as well as new layers of contract risk linked to performance guarantees and platform integration. The operational reality described involves a significant reduction in required headcount, a shift in staff responsibilities from routine incident response to higher-order business and security tasks, and the necessity for designated internal management of AI tools. There remain unresolved concerns about skill degradation and the long-term risks of over-automation, including the narrower pathways through which junior personnel may acquire foundational experience. Sponsored by:  ScalePad https://scalepad.com/dave/ Nerdio https://nerdio.co/MSP-Radio Sign up for the SMB Online Conference: www.smbonlineconference.com

The structural shift highlighted in this episode is a move from simple AI enablement to a managed service model centered on agent governance, enforcement, and workflow automation within IT environments. The episode identifies unmanaged AI agents as a source of escalating risk, citing vendors like Scalepad shifting from remote monitoring to SaaS and AI usage discovery, and referencing research and audits from SNCC and Verizon that identify tangible security flaws and unapproved AI activity within organizations. Managed service providers are increasingly positioned as the operational layer that defines and enforces governance over automation systems, rather than simply deploying AI tools. The primary evidence for this shift is found in audit findings and market reports. SNCC's audit of 4,000 AI agent skills showed over a third had at least one security flaw, while Verizon's data cited by The Register noted a fourfold increase in employees using unauthorized generative AI, with 28% of data loss prevention violations involving code or proprietary data submitted to AI platforms. Gartner, as reported by The Register, predicts 40% of organizations will demote or remove AI agents due to failed governance efforts—attributing the problem to all-or-nothing approaches that lead to operational and compliance failures. Secondary developments reinforce the move toward operationalized governance. Scalepad and Watchguard are bringing AI and SaaS governance capabilities to the MSP channel, with product releases focused on real-time discovery, policy enforcement, and automation control. Incidents like Anthropic's leak of its full source code for Claude Code, exposing permission and sandboxing details, illustrate how transparency in AI agent operations can also create attack vectors—emphasizing the need for robust operational controls and ongoing auditability. The market is shifting to sell "coherence"—packaging identity, permissions, and workflow automation—rather than just technological capability. Operationally, the consequences for MSPs include increased responsibility for defining and enforcing permission boundaries, approval rules, and evidence collection. Failure to address agent governance will expose providers to operational ambiguity, unpriced liability, and recurring support burdens. The guidance is to move beyond AI enablement projects and toward agent operation retainers that include clear workflows, permission maps, execution logs, and contractual clarity on responsibility and incident management. MSPs that cannot prove and control agent behavior risk inheriting the complexity and fallout from system failures or misuse. 00:00 Shadow AI Surge  05:01 Context Is Infrastructure 07:46 Agent Control Plane 11:16 Why Do We Care?  Supported by:  JumpCloud TimeZest 

Joel Abramson, managing partner at Top Down Ventures Today’s In The Channel episode lands on the same morning that Vancouver-based Top Down Ventures announces the close of Founders Fund I at C$38 million – oversubscribed against an original target of US$25 million, and positioned as the first institutional venture fund focused exclusively on early-stage software and AI for the managed service provider ecosystem. Managing partner Joel Abramson joined the show to walk through the fund’s thesis and what it means for the channel. Abramson co-founded and led Fully Managed through more than a dozen acquisitions before its $137 million acquisition by Telus Business Solutions in 2021. He joins general partners Chris Day (founder of IT Glue and ScalePad) and Mark Scott (founder of N-able) at Top Down – three operators who between them have spent about 75 years building and scaling companies inside the MSP ecosystem. The fund’s first exit – zofiQ to ConnectWise, which closed in January 2026 – returned 5.3 times the invested capital in roughly six months. Abramson describes it as a case study in what Top Down looks for: founders solving singular problems with exceptional depth, validated by real MSP operators rather than generalist investors. The macro thesis is equally compelling. The global IT services market is projected to grow from $600 billion to over $1 trillion by 2030. And in 2026, SMB IT spend is on track to outpace enterprise IT spend for the first time ever – a shift Abramson contrasts with what he calls the “SaaSpocalypse” in enterprise, where headcount reductions are translating directly into fewer SaaS licenses. The fund’s LP base of more than 100 MSP operators – including Pax8 – acts as a flywheel for validating investments, sourcing design partners, and connecting portfolio companies with the customers best positioned to stress-test what they’re building. Find Top Down Ventures, including their newsletter and annual research report, at topdown.com. Read Full Transcript Robert Dutt: Hello and welcome to In The Channel from ChannelBuzz.ca, bringing news and information to the Canadian IT channel community for the last sixteen years. I’m Robert Dutt, editor of ChannelBuzz.ca and your host for the show. If you caught The Buzz this morning – and you really should have – you already know the headline. Vancouver-based Top Down Ventures has closed Founders Fund I at $38 million Canadian, oversubscribed, as the first institutional venture fund focused exclusively on early-stage software and AI for the managed service provider ecosystem. The story behind it, though, is rich. Top Down was founded with three partners with deep roots in the Canadian channel community: Chris Day of IT Glue and ScalePad, Mark Scott who founded N-able, and today’s guest, Joel Abramson, who ran Fully Managed through more than a dozen acquisitions before its $137 million sale to Telus Business Solutions in 2021. The fund already has its first exit in the books. zofiQ, an agentic AI platform for MSP service desks that ConnectWise acquired just six months after Top Down’s investment, at 5.3 times the invested capital. Joel joined me this morning to talk about why MSP software needs its own dedicated venture fund, what the first exit tells us about where agentic AI is headed, and one market shift that has the team genuinely excited about the decade ahead. Let’s get right into it. My chat with Joel Abramson. Joel, thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it. Joel Abramson: Great to be here, Rob. Robert Dutt: I wanted to start with the origin story here. I think it’s an interesting one in that you had a big role in building and running Fully Managed through a dozen or so acquisitions, then sold – instead of going off and retiring on a boat somewhere or that sort of thing, you ended up in venture investing in specifically MSP software. Can you walk me through how that happened? How did Top Down come together? Was this something that you sought out or something that Chris Day pulled you into? How did that happen? Joel Abramson: Yeah, well, let’s be clear – I do love being on boats. To tell the origin story, you get to go through a 25-year journey of the MSP ecosystem itself, because there are three general partners: Mark Scott, Chris Day, and myself, Joel Abramson. Our journey dates back to the early 2000s when Mark Scott started N-able, and he was one of the pioneers that really helped value-added resellers and break-fix IT service providers become MSPs. I meet people every time I’m out on the road who have a story about working with N-able – transitioning their revenue model from break-fix to recurring. N-able is a phenomenal company today and I think Mark’s legacy lives on there. Mark started that company and then exited just before the SolarWinds acquisition. Then he went on to start a service provider called CareWorks – an MSP focused on senior care facilities. A really interesting vertical, as well as broad SMB. But I’ll pause his story and focus on Chris, because Chris is founder and chairman and really sets the vision for Top Down. Chris had an MSP as well back in the early 2000s. Eventually that was Fully Managed, and that’s where I joined him. I had a small – much less successful – MSP called Packetsafe Networks, and I rolled my little MSP into Chris’s marquee MSP, Fully Managed, and together we set on this journey. We wanted to bring that company to ten cities with $10 million in revenue in each city and then sell it to a Canadian telco – and it’s not revisionist history, it was actually the goal. But then a couple of years into our shared journey at Fully Managed, Chris got pulled into building software. It was because I’d built a bunch of software for Fully Managed to run on, and he made the mistake – or the fortuitous opportunity – of showing it to his peer group. His peer group was like, “I want to use that.” So he said, “Okay, well, I’ll build it for you.” He started building a documentation platform from the ground up and called it IT Glue, and that was a phenomenal ride for him – taking it from a couple of peer group mates trying it out to selling to Kaseya in 2018 and building a very large company in a relatively short amount of time. Not without a tremendous amount of hard work and grind. He was on the road with pop-up banners signing up logo by logo by logo in the early days, but eventually the movement just took shape and every MSP realized that they needed a documentation platform, and IT Glue took off. So IT Glue exits to Kaseya in 2018. Chris has to make that decision: do I want to golf and travel for the rest of my life, or what brings me joy? And so he actually started Top Down as a way to re-engage back with the MSP community. He had an early portfolio of three companies: Warranty Master, a company he had started with his brother; Backup Radar; and Quoter. Together those three early companies started to grow at their own individual pace. Keep in mind, we’re still running Fully Managed over here – I’m running it for him. Then we ended up putting Fully Managed together with Mark Scott’s MSP, and that’s how the three of us came together. Then yes, we did a number of acquisitions. We grew Fully Managed to be $100 million in revenue. It wasn’t the straight line Chris and I had talked about – ten cities in ten years – but it was maybe seven cities. The bridge version: Telus came in and said they wanted to acquire Canada’s largest MSP, which was Fully Managed at the time. They had done a bunch of research and nine months later we consummated that transaction, at the end of 2021. I’d been working with Chris for a number of years on the early-stage portfolio, because we’d get a couple of calls every month with people saying, “Hey, I’m starting this project, Chris, are you interested in taking a look?” So we started to build this reputation as investors in early-stage MSP software companies. We tried some other stuff – everything from consumer packaged goods (we still have a couple of investments) to starting a country music label, which we’ll save for another time. But we always knew our home, I think, was in the MSP space. After the Fully Managed exit, we decided we wanted to really compound our impact. We had this idea of a venture fund – and maybe I’ll pause there, because I can continue the journey, but we’ll wait and see if you have any questions up to that point. Robert Dutt: Understandable. It’s a wild journey, and it really is back to the heart of the early days of the MSP movement – as you say, from break-fix and VAR models. I guess tell me a little bit about where you’re at now. The fund is positioned as the first institutional VC targeting early-stage software and AI for this ecosystem. Why do you think this space needs a dedicated fund? What does a generalist venture fund miss or get wrong when they’re looking at the space? Joel Abramson: We’ve been doing early-stage investing for a few years – five years. At the same time, Warranty Master became ScalePad, and ScalePad started to gain really, really great momentum. ScalePad brought in a growth equity partner, Integrity Growth Partners, who are just phenomenal folks. They capitalized the business and that grew ScalePad from $10 million to $50 million. They were great partners, great board members, and we watched these guys – we were like, wow, we’ve been through this journey a couple of times. They add a lot of value, and we’re really excited about that relationship. We were doing our thing with the early-stage companies, and so we looked across the ecosystem. We said, there is a ton of capital that’s ready to invest in companies in the MSP ecosystem when they get to a certain scale – that was kind of the scale that ScalePad had gotten to. Then we looked down and said, well, what about the guys that are just starting out? There’s not a ton of support. There’s a ConnectWise pitch contest that grants $60,000 or $70,000 to early-stage companies. And there are early-stage investors – we’ve seen companies like Pax8 and Huntress go through many rounds of financing and they started somewhere. But we saw that the strongest source of capital in the MSP ecosystem was actually coming from angel investors. It was Joe Paniterri and Kevin Blake and Channel Angels, and they had done a number of deals, bringing together really early-stage capital and putting $100,000 into a business fueled from a number of different folks. That’s really, really cool. But where’s all the venture? You look across horizontal software and there are funds of venture that just pour in. In the big markets – the Valley and New York – and then in secondary markets, there are funds focused on those areas. But we saw early-stage MSP software companies as vastly overlooked. So we said, what if we could bring together capital from the MSP ecosystem? Because we’ve made plenty of millionaires just by acquiring them with Fully Managed. You look at how that scales out across the ecosystem: you’ve got Evergreen and Integris and Thrive and all these folks buying up MSPs. The stats are over 200 search funds, family offices, and MSP aggregators buying MSPs right now. That’s generating a lot of wealth for a lot of people. Then you have MSPs that are super profitable and people are making good cash flow. Then you have all the software companies that have exited with similar stories to Chris’s. There’s actually quite a bit of capital that could be put to work back into the ecosystem if we just found a way to harness it and focus it on innovation. We said, instead of doing a couple of deals a year, what if we could make 8 to 10 investments a year by bringing capital together? And then what if we could build a system around that to take everything we’ve learned working with early-stage companies – applying those practices, bringing folks together for design partners, early customers, advice, and partnerships in the MSP ecosystem? So we set out to raise a $25 million venture fund, and we said we were going to focus on educating the MSP ecosystem on what investing in a venture fund looks like, because it’s really just going to fuel innovation for MSPs themselves. Our goal was to have half the fund raised from the MSP community and half from outside – similar to what it was at Fully Managed: let’s tell the world about what a great opportunity exists in MSP. We were super successful in the first bucket. We got really well received by the MSP community. We have over 100 LPs in the fund and we exceeded our target of $25 million. In the second bucket, we still have a lot of work to do. We’re one year into our Outliers podcast, we’ve produced one white paper, and we’ve had hundreds and hundreds of conversations in the institutional community, educating funds of funds and family offices on the opportunity for early-stage MSP software investing. We only got a couple of participants in this fund – which is all right, because it shows the strength of the MSP ecosystem. We still oversubscribed our target. But we’re excited to continue that journey of educating institutional investors for our second fund and beyond. Robert Dutt: You mentioned you’re in at the early stage. Where in the lifecycle do you typically start looking, and what does a target portfolio company look like at the point you’re getting involved? Joel Abramson: I’ve only been doing this for a few years, so I’m still learning some of the language, Rob. But we talk about early stage being right at inception – which is called pre-seed, the first money into a company. Maybe they have an idea of what they want to build, a prototype, a business plan, some people, but they haven’t actually started that path to launch – all the way up to around that first million or million and a half of revenue, where they’d be called a late-seed investment or an early Series A. So maybe it’s the second money in, or in a Series A it could be the third. But really we’re focused on the early stage where we can leverage the strength of our LP base – a lot of strong MSPs – as well as the strength of the community that Top Down works to enable and bring together. That can be for design partners, early customers, folks to help with advice, and then partnerships in the MSP ecosystem. Maybe a company is working with ScalePad to solve a problem and ScalePad can help by bringing that product to its customer base. It’s really about building the things that matter most to MSPs. And that’s why I think we love this ecosystem so much – it’s a partnership of vendors and service providers. If we look forward to how AI is going to impact things, you have small and medium businesses at the frontline – all the enablement use cases there, all the cybersecurity use cases. Then you have the service provider layer, which is MSPs helping them with all those things. Then you have a middle layer of supply chain software like the companies we invest in. And on top of that, you have the hyperscalers, the cloud companies, the frontier companies. That four-tiered system really matters, because without the innovation from Microsoft and Anthropic, the macro doesn’t move forward. But very rarely is it going to go straight from there into frontline workers’ hands. The two layers in between – the layer we invest in, and the MSPs themselves – are really what’s helping bring the value from the top to the end market. We think it’s an incredibly resilient ecosystem. We think there’s nobody better positioned to help with AI transformation than MSPs. And that layer between the frontier companies and the hyperscalers and the MSPs is really important – that’s where innovation happens on their behalf, and that’s the kind of companies we’re investing in. Robert Dutt: One example of that would be zofiQ, which I think was your first exit – and some pretty startling numbers there: a six-month turnaround, selling to ConnectWise, bringing back more than 5x what you put in. What did you see in that company that made you say “we’re in,” and what did the ConnectWise acquisition tell you about the market for PSA and agentic AI and where that’s all headed? Joel Abramson: It starts with Lee and his team. We get the fortunate opportunity to look at a lot of things that are being built and we’re still learning, trying to keep pace. As the last couple of years have played out, we’ve been students of what people are building and how they’re looking at solving problems, armed with the knowledge of the last 25 years of the ecosystem. When we met Lee, we were really impressed with him as a founder. He had a strong track record of purpose-building solutions. When Chris and I sat down with him, it was obvious he was solving singular problems with a tremendous amount of depth, versus some of the other folks we’d seen building solutions who were really going an inch deep and a mile wide. Knowing how mission-critical these solutions are to MSPs – that for every time they mess up a service ticket, they put that customer relationship at risk – we knew that Lee’s approach was just bang on. He was obsessed with solving singular use cases. It showed in the team he put together, the technology he built, and what customers were saying about the product. It’s very atypical to make an investment and then six months later have it acquired. When it was all going down and we were talking to the ConnectWise folks, it was bittersweet. We’re so happy to see ConnectWise gain this incredible capability, but we were sad to know we weren’t going to have Lee in the Top Down portfolio anymore. Ultimately, thrilled – because what it means for ConnectWise is that they can get this really powerful technology into a lot of people’s hands. That has a tremendous impact for the ecosystem, the end market, the MSPs partnered with ConnectWise. They can get this great innovative technology out into the market much faster than Lee could on his own, just going out and telling the story and waiting for the momentum to build. Thrilled for ConnectWise, thrilled for Lee and the team to jump into an organization like ConnectWise. And proud that we were able to play a tiny part on that journey. Robert Dutt: zofiQ was automating the service desk with AI agents. From what you saw inside that experience with them, and looking across the portfolio now, I’m curious – especially given your background running an MSP – when you’re talking to MSPs about what some of these companies are doing, how ready are they to adopt and operationalize this kind of agentic tooling? Both in terms of willingness and interest, which I’m sure is high, and actual aptitude and ability to make the operational changes that come with it? Joel Abramson: It totally depends on the MSP’s maturity. I’ve been through the life cycle of MSP maturity many times – two steps forward, one step back, a bunch of times. Every MSP is on a similar treadmill of growing and maturing, then having to embrace new technology, then getting hit by outside factors: whether it’s COVID, the move to remote work, the push back to the office, or the change in technology. It’s not a static industry, but it is an industrial-strength ecosystem because it’s so mission-critical for the customers MSPs serve. Everybody is at their own part of the journey. Companies like zofiQ come around and they focus on building the right technology, then working with the ideal MSPs that are at a place where they can embrace it. I go back to an inspirational investor, Dave Lahn, who always talks about the different buckets of work: the hero work, all the work that supports the hero work, and then all the work that should be done but isn’t. I think about MSPs with that third bucket. As a 20-year MSP operator, there were all these things I knew I wanted to do but could never get around to because we were always fighting fires, then trying to do proactive work, then project work – it compounds and you never had enough hands for the work that should be done that isn’t. I think that’s one of the huge opportunities with AI – actually getting that work done, staying on top of it, and providing more stable, secure environments for MSP customers. If AI is the great enabler for MSPs themselves, then how exciting is it to be in a position where I can’t think of a service provider that supports small and medium businesses that’s better positioned to bring AI enablement down to that market than an MSP. I doubt it’s the accountant, I doubt it’s the janitor or the maintenance people. I think it’s the MSP, because you’re already talking technology. As MSPs continue to evolve from the server room to boardroom conversations, AI is an incredible hook to get into that conversation. That’s why the work ScalePad does around customer success and supporting the strategy conversations is so critical. But the next wave of companies we see are really around helping MSPs actually deliver AI use cases successfully to their customers. That transformation will take place for a long, long time. Robert Dutt: Your base of limited partners includes more than 100 MSP operators, including Pax8. That’s unusual for a VC fund. Was that a deliberate choice? And how does having operators as limited partners actually change how you source and evaluate deals? Joel Abramson: It just makes us so strong. We have the brainpower of over 100 people there for us to tap and leverage. At our Horizons event in November – where we bring all of our LPs together – I’ve never seen a more aligned group of individuals, focused on supporting the supply chain of an ecosystem, come together and have meaningful conversations without any real individual agenda. We think about it as a flywheel. We have a group of limited partners with all of our capital in this fund together. Of course we all want to make money – but I think what drives that outcome is supporting innovation and figuring out exactly where the best place to put capital is today that can have the largest impact tomorrow. zofiQ is a perfect example. Here’s a strong founder with a huge problem, solving it at the deepest level, that MSPs are going to be able to take forward and dramatically impact their businesses and their customer experience. That, to me, is the genesis of venture investing: aligning all those things and putting the right pieces together. We think about the strength of the mindshare of our LPs, figuring out ways to connect them with our portfolio companies, ways to validate our thesis and investments by harnessing that energy, and then making the right investments and providing the right support throughout a portfolio company’s lifecycle, thanks to that really, really strong LP base. Robert Dutt: So if I’m an MSP owner listening to this – not an investor per se, just someone running a managed services shop – why should I be paying attention to what you guys are doing and what you’re funding? What’s the typical practical downstream impact on my business? Joel Abramson: You could look at our portfolio with a degree of confidence that these companies are getting great support to build great products, that they’re talking to top MSP operators around the world to help shape what gets built. The average MSP is the benefactor of that, because it means they’re getting great product built that they can use in their MSP or deploy to their customers. We’re doing this to earn and keep the reputation that a Top Down-backed company means tier-one innovation, great people behind it, that it’s been validated and tested – and that MSPs themselves can be the benefactor of that by leveraging this technology. Robert Dutt: You closed this fund at about $38 million, oversubscribed, in what you called a slog of an environment – and I get that. What does that tell you about where institutional capital is actually flowing in 2026? And what does a successful Fund I set up for Fund II? Joel Abramson: A lot of institutional capital is flowing towards the frontier companies and the supply chain of AI. We think that’s great, because just like the Microsofts and Googles that have powered the ecosystem for the last ten years, we think heavily capitalized AI companies are fantastic for the downstream companies – the software companies we’re investing in, the AI companies we’re investing in, the MSPs themselves, and the SMB layer. Capital flows down as well. As vertical-focused funds like ours demonstrate a strong track record, more institutional capital will flow into vehicles like ours. Certainly a lot of capital is tied up at the top right now, but we see that as a great thing because we’re not super concerned about the capital cycles of the next three months. We’re much more concerned about the capital cycles of the next two decades. As we’ve mobilized a non-insignificant pool of capital to support early-stage MSP software companies, we strive to earn the right to have a second fund with a more diverse group of participants, and subsequent funds beyond that – as long as we continue to find the right companies to partner with and add value along the way. Robert Dutt: And that seems like – just with the names you’ve mentioned and the names I can think of off the top of my head – a target-rich environment. There are lots of companies building specifically for the MSP market for obvious reasons. But I’m curious: without necessarily naming names or tipping your hand, what problem or product category are you most excited about in the MSP software pipeline right now? Where’s the white space that’s still underbuilt? Joel Abramson: In our research paper, we talk about two big macro things happening in the market right now. One: we think this market – let’s broaden it to IT services, not just MSP – is going from a $600 billion addressable market to a $1.3 trillion addressable market, certainly $1 trillion by 2030. That’s a huge market. On the MSP side specifically, we have four or five scaled companies at or above a billion in revenue. Ninja is on its way up there. N-able, of course, is a big company. But you’re talking about a much larger addressable market – there’s still empty canvas where new companies can scale up to fill the middle and eventually be alongside some of those platforms. We expect those platforms to continue to grow and thrive, and we hope to build or invest in companies that can partner with them to take advantage of their distribution and ultimately make small and medium businesses better through MSPs. All that said, what are some of those categories? I don’t think it’s new MSPs starting up and buying PSA – that market is fairly saturated. Nor do I think it’s more EDR or XDR – those are pretty saturated markets too. There’s still market share that will trade, don’t get me wrong, and innovation will build on top of it. But doubling the market requires new products, new revenue streams, and obviously AI is a critical part of that. Whether it’s the evolution of agentic service work to do all the work that should be done but isn’t, or raising productivity levels so the service is that much better, or helping the average SMB with a sophisticated IT strategy that evolves into an AI strategy – we see the category of AI services enablement for MSPs as a huge, huge opportunity. In the enterprise, we’re living through what I call the SaaSpocalypse – the idea that big SaaS companies are going to see fewer licenses because people are going to downsize headcount and thus take an impact on their top line. But we see the SMB market as more resilient, because my accountant with 60 people and one person in marketing – they’re not going to downsize that one-person marketing department. That person is actually just going to get that much better thanks to all the tools they’re using. SMB IT spend is expected to outpace enterprise IT spend for the first time ever in 2026. We believe that’s because of the resiliency of the SMB market – the idea that when a big tech company lays off 5,000 people, those people don’t all sail off into the sunset. A lot of them move into the SMB economy and start small businesses. Maybe the IT folks start an MSP. So we see the SMB part of the economy continuing to thrive, and it’s showing itself this year – thanks to this crazy stat that SMB IT spend will outpace enterprise IT spend for the first time ever. For all those reasons, we’re very excited about the opportunities it creates in the companies that we’re invested in. Robert Dutt: That is a crazy stat, and it’s worth underlining – because of where you and your peers and so much of this community is focused, right in that SMB space. And closer to home, as a Canadian podcast, we’re very much a nation of SMBs. So it really is super impactful here. Joel Abramson: Yeah, I would agree. Robert Dutt: For people who want to follow what you guys are doing – whether they’re founders, MSPs, or just interested in what’s coming in terms of new AI-first MSP software – where do they find you? How can they find out more? Joel Abramson: TopDown.com. We publish a newsletter and try to share all the learnings we’re gaining each quarter. We publish a white paper annually. We have a conference in November called Horizons – if you’re interested in investing in the MSP ecosystem, our goal is to bring everybody together as peers. We do a lot of dinners and events around the big MSP events. Our goal is always to bring everyone together as peers, not in a supplier relationship where you’re being sold to – just everybody trying to solve this thing together. The community aspect of the MSP ecosystem is so strong, and that’s how you engage. I’m pretty easy to find and always interested in a conversation with anybody from inside the ecosystem or outside, as we try to build this thing one brick at a time toward 1.3 trillion of addressable market. Robert Dutt: Brilliant. Go get that. Go build that. I appreciate you taking the time, Joel. Joel Abramson: Thank you so much for having me. Robert Dutt: There you have it – Joel Abramson from Top Down Ventures. I’d like to thank Joel for his time this morning. Thank you as always for listening to In The Channel. A few things stuck with me from this conversation. First, the framework Joel described: frontier AI companies at the top, then the supply chain software layer that Top Down invests in, then MSPs, then SMBs at the front line. It’s a clean way to think about how AI value actually gets delivered to small and medium businesses. And the point that MSPs are the most natural vehicle for that delivery is hard to argue with – from where I sit, and probably from where you sit too. Second, that stat about SMB IT spend outpacing enterprise IT for the first time ever this year. If we’re in what Joel calls the SaaSpocalypse for the enterprise, we’re in a resilience story for SMB. For an audience of MSPs, that’s your market, and that’s your moment. And the zofiQ story. A six-month hold, 5.3 times the invested capital to ConnectWise. What Joel said about what made it work – going deep into a singular problem rather than an inch deep and a mile wide – is as much a product philosophy lesson as it is a venture capital story. If you want to follow what Top Down is doing, find them at TopDown.com, where they publish a regular newsletter and annual white paper on the state of MSP capital. Their Horizons conference runs every November if you’re engaged in this ecosystem as a founder, an operator, or an investor. If you’re enjoying the show, please give the podcast a follow or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or most of the major podcast directories. Ratings and reviews are always encouraged. Until next time, I’m Robert Dutt for ChannelBuzz.ca, and I’ll see you in the channel.

The episode details a structural shift in the technology landscape: AI models are increasingly being treated as commodity components, with operational control and procurement decisions moving to the orchestration layer. This change is illustrated by government procurement actions, specifically the Pentagon's designation of Anthropic's Claude model as a supply chain risk and the subsequent shift in model eligibility requirements. Policymaking authorities are now directly dictating which models can be used within national security supply chains, reconfiguring where power, liability, and decision-making sit. The primary development is the Department of Defense's recent disqualification of Anthropic's Claude from eligible contracts, leading to both contract cancellations and legal disputes. Anthropic has responded with lawsuits contesting its supply chain risk designation, while Microsoft has sought court intervention to block the Pentagon's ban, asserting this would prevent disruption to military AI workflows. The State Department has also moved its internal chatbot infrastructure from Claude Sonic 4.5 to OpenAI's GPT-4.1, aligning with the President's compliance directive. Supporting developments include Google's deployment of Gemini-powered AI agents within the Department of Defense, and the emergence of tools such as Perplexity's APIs, which aim to simplify workflow construction across multiple models. The episode emphasizes that model swaps by agencies are not merely technical updates, but policy-driven control decisions. These actions underscore a climate in which model eligibility and operational portability are shaped by compliance and procurement authorities rather than technical teams or vendors. Operational implications for MSPs and IT providers are profound. Single-model dependencies now present measurable contract risk, especially for clients in defense, healthcare, or finance sectors. Swapping models requires revalidation of prompts, outputs, and integrations, rather than simple API repointing. Providers are advised to audit workflows for reliance on any one model, prioritize abstraction layers that enable smooth transitions, and position model-agnostic architectures as proactive risk management. In a landscape defined by commodity models and policy-driven eligibility, model diversification now represents continuity planning rather than an engineering preference. Three things to know today: 00:00 Pentagon vs. Anthropic 02:19 Beyond the Model 05:07 Why Do We Care?  Supported by:  ScalePad, Small Biz Thoughts Community

OpenAI's direct investment and technical involvement with Thrive Holdings, specifically through its partnership with SHIELD Technology Partners, presents a new precedent for AI's integration into the managed service provider (MSP) space. Unlike prior private equity roll-ups or traditional organic growth, this move involves embedding OpenAI's models and engineers directly within SHIELD's platform, an entity that has rapidly acquired and integrated nine MSPs and executed two $100 million funding rounds. The arrangement is characterized by efforts to optimize MSP operations through proprietary AI automation, raising immediate questions around operational dependency and the shifting locus of software control.According to Seth Robinson, this approach signals OpenAI's attempt to navigate both consumer and enterprise technology markets—a dynamic seen previously in mobility—and reflects the broader tension between individual AI use cases and deeply integrated stack solutions. The initiative may accelerate operational scale, but it also introduces new operational risks by centralizing key components of service delivery and support within a single AI-driven platform, potentially affecting vendor lock-in, data governance, and continuity of MSP business models.Parallel developments highlight new vendor integration strategies among MSP-focused software providers. One example is Lexfold's AI documentation system, which, rather than integrating directly with core PSA and RMM tools, utilizes intermediary platforms such as Scalepad and Liongard for data access. Seth Robinson emphasizes that these alternative integration points may alter an MSP's center of operational gravity and complexity management, underscoring the need to assess not just functional outcomes but also system dependencies and brittleness introduced by new integration paths.For MSPs and IT leaders, these trends underscore the necessity of rigorous due diligence in vendor relationships, clarity on operational dependencies, and attention to the long-term implications of AI-enabled automation. Management—not elimination—of complexity remains central, with the risk of oversimplification leading to commoditization and loss of differentiation. Moreover, advances in AI should prompt greater scrutiny about talent pipelines, upskilling strategies, and the potential risks of eroding early-career roles, which may impact long-term service quality and resilience. Careful evaluation of integration points, data integrity, and operational control is recommended to mitigate the practical and organizational risks emerging from these developments.

France's decision to discontinue American collaboration platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams for government use—replacing them with the domestically developed Vizio platform—signals a shift toward digital sovereignty and data control within regulated jurisdictions. This move, formalized as part of France's Suite Numerique and to be implemented by 2027, highlights the increasing fragmentation of technology policy where national governments assert authority over platform selection and sensitive data handling. The development underscores operational risk for MSPs and IT service providers as assumptions of technology homogeneity across regions become unreliable.Supporting these shifts, South Korea enacted the world's first comprehensive AI legislation, requiring mandatory labeling of AI-generated content and risk assessments for high-impact systems, such as those in hiring and healthcare. According to the transcript, 98% of AI startups in South Korea report they are not prepared for compliance. Both developments reveal a pattern: early regulatory efforts tend to produce vague requirements, unclear enforcement, and real operational complexity. Providers operating in multiple jurisdictions must now anticipate compliance fragmentation and increased overhead as regulatory regimes diverge.Additional analysis focused on the continued evolution of the managed services stack, particularly through the lens of AI and workflow automation. Companies like Thrive are investing in enterprise platforms that embed AI-driven reasoning within workflow tools, shifting coordination away from traditional PSA ticketing systems. Meanwhile, integrations such as Quark Cyber with ScalePad's Lifecycle Manager X, and new partnerships between ServiceNow, TeamViewer, Anthropic, and OpenAI, illustrate a market splitting between providers focused on standardization and those managing more complex, enterprise-like environments. Microsoft's financial results further highlighted this trend, with record capital expenditure on AI infrastructure and increased reliance on proprietary chips to reduce dependency on external vendors like Nvidia and OpenAI.For MSPs, these developments raise practical governance and accountability questions. Shifts in regulatory authority and technology platforms create increased risk exposure for providers that do not proactively manage cross-jurisdictional compliance and secure defaults. Vendors are tightening control over platforms as AI becomes central to product architecture, often prioritizing internal risk management over shared upside with partners. Providers that fail to enforce robust data governance, understand cost drift, or plan for architectural lock-in are positioned less as strategic advisors and more as absorbers of client and vendor risk.Four things to know today00:00 France's Platform Ban and South Korea's AI Law Show Regulation Catching Up to Technology04:23 AI Is Reshaping the MSP Tool Stack as Thrive, ServiceNow, and ScalePad Take Different Paths07:37 Microsoft's SMTP AUTH Delay and CISA's AI Slip Show the Risk of Optional Security ControlsAND10:26 Earnings Show Microsoft Turning AI From Feature to Infrastructure as Partner Risk GrowsSponsored by: TimeZest 

Chris Day, CEO of ScalePad, shares his transition to CEO and the steps they've taken to provide cutting edge technologies that power Managed Service Providers' (MSP's) businesses.

Chris Day, Founder & CEO of ScalePad, believes the future of managed services belongs to leaders driving transformation—not just maintaining infrastructure. With ScalePad, he equips MSPs to deliver measurable outcomes, turn data into growth, and make every client conversation a leadership moment. Chris is passionate about challenging and helping leaders think bigger about what's possible. His journey is proof that transformation starts with vision—and that vision becomes reality when leaders have the courage to pursue it. On this episode of From Stuck to Successful, we dive into how MSPs can move beyond uptime and service to create lasting impact, step confidently into the boardroom, and lead in the Customer Success Era. Resources:  Website: https://www.scalepad.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbday/

Today, I'm chatting with my old friend Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at Scalepad. Luis and I are discussing how most of our industry might be doing vCIO all wrong. vCIO has the Critical Objective of creating real client value by delivering services that lead to genuine business outcomes, but many struggle to make this a reality. We discuss why people hate the vCIO title and ideas about what we should call it instead. We discuss some common pitfalls, like focusing too much on tools over processes. Whether you're trying to start or improve your vCIO process, this episode is a must-listen. So let's go. This episode is brought to you by Evolved Management Training Courses. Online courses specifically crafted for MSP needs. A Service Manager BootCamp course, a project manager for MSPs course, an MSP security fundamentals course, and an IT Documentation Done Right course.

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Luis Giraldo, the Chief Evangelist for ScalePad, a company that offers a collection of applications to help MSPs launch their growth. In the IT space, he is something of an MSP guru.He has also been an MSP, CEO, SaaS consultant and an active member of the CompTIA peer group. And in this interview, he tells Richard about his journey to his current role and his live podcast show.He talks about his podcast, MSP Confidential, and his second career as a jazz musician, what he does in his down time and shares the books that have inspired him the most.Richard asks Luis to talk in depth about ScalePad: how they help MSPs and the type of businesses they attract, and how to get started with the solution. Luis also shares the biggest misconception that MSPs have about vendors like ScalePad?And on the vendor side, Richard asks Luis the number one thing they can do to improve the customer experience, as well as the one thing a typical vendor doesn't appreciate about the life of an MSP?They discuss what makes the MSP space unique, why you should attend industry events, and how to maintain your resilience in the face of a constantly shifting environment.Luis also shares his experience of being Vice Chair at CompTIA and his thoughts on their recent acquisition. He explains Stoicism and how that's changed his approach to life and business, and mentions his venture capital interests through Top Down Ventures.Mentioned in This EpisodeFully Managed by TELUS Business from Chris BlayDocumentation solution: IT GlueIT management: N-ableLuis Giraldo musicBook: Ray Dalio: Principles: Life and WorkScalePad MSP surveyClient management: Lifecycle Managers (ScalePad solution)GRC (governance, risk and compliance) tool: ControlMap (ScalePad solution)QBR tools: Lifecycle Insights (ScalePad solution)Backup monitoring: Backup Radar (ScalePad solution)BI tool: Cognition360 (ScalePad solution)Quoting software: Quoter (ScalePad solution)Matthew Bookspan of Blacktip ITMSP conference: IT Nation ConnectMSP conference from N-able:

Send us a textIn this insightful episode, Joey Pinz speaks with Eric Torres about his career journey and his commitment to empowering Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Eric, who has held pivotal roles at Datto, ScalePad, and now PAX 8, shares how his experiences have shaped his approach to helping MSPs grow and succeed. He introduces PAX 8's Opportunity Explorer, an AI-driven tool designed to guide MSPs in identifying strategic sales opportunities, and highlights the customizable storefront feature that allows MSPs to align vendor options with client needs.

Send us a textIn this episode, Joey Pinz talks with Dan Wensley, CEO of ScalePad, about his multifaceted journey in the IT industry, his passion for the MSP community, and the vital role of AI in transforming operational efficiency. With a career spanning 30 years, Dan reflects on the evolution of MSP tools and services, emphasizing ScalePad's mission to provide automation, standardization, and profitability for MSPs. He shares insights on how AI is helping ScalePad develop robust, scalable solutions tailored to the specific challenges MSPs face.

In this episode of the Business of Tech Lounge, host Dave Sobel engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Ryan Morris of Morris Management Partners and Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad. The conversation centers around the provocative question: Does standardization equal commoditization? As the IT channel evolves, many Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are grappling with the challenge of balancing technology stack and process standardization while striving to maintain strategic differentiation in a competitive market.Luis highlights the growing concern among MSPs, particularly those with significant revenue, who are experiencing downward pricing pressure as clients perceive similar offerings from multiple providers. He emphasizes that while standardization can streamline operations, an over-reliance on it can lead to a lack of strategic conversations with clients. This disconnect often results in MSPs being viewed as interchangeable, leading to commoditization and a struggle to demonstrate unique value. The discussion underscores the importance of understanding clients' businesses and fostering deeper relationships to escape this commoditization trap.Ryan adds to the conversation by questioning the motivations behind standardization. He argues that while it can simplify operations for MSPs, it often fails to deliver value to customers if not aligned with their needs. He points out that the industry is still young, with ample opportunities for growth, and that competing solely on price is a self-inflicted wound. Instead, he advocates for a focus on customer outcomes and the importance of customizing engagements based on industry-specific needs, rather than forcing clients into a one-size-fits-all approach.As the episode wraps up, both guests agree on the necessity of evolving the conversation around service delivery. They suggest that MSPs should not only standardize their internal processes but also adapt their client-facing strategies to emphasize understanding and addressing specific business challenges. By doing so, MSPs can create a more engaging and valuable experience for their clients, ultimately leading to differentiation in a crowded marketplace. The episode serves as a call to action for MSPs to rethink their approach to standardization and commoditization, encouraging them to prioritize strategic relationships and tailored solutions. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessoftech.bsky.social

Host James Kernan discussses security offerings, specifically looking at offering vCISO services as part of your cyber security stack. 1.) MSP Question of the Week: Should you offer vCISO services? ---  2.) 5 Minutes with a Smart Person Host James Kernan sits down with Charlene Ignacio, CEO of Fornix Marketing, to discuss being strategic about M&A discussions. --- 3.) Notes On The News  Chris Day, founder of ScalePad, has taken over as CEO, focusing on creating an integrated suite of products rather than pursuing new acquisitions. Outgoing CEO Dan Wensley will remain as a shareholder and advisor. Additionally, a recent IBM study reveals that business leaders' confidence in IT has significantly declined, with only 47% considering their IT organization effective, down from 69% in 2013    Reuters article: https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/german-intelligence-says-russian-gru-group-behind-nato-eu-cyberattacks-2024-09-09/   Investopedia: https://www.investopedia.com/how-does-nvidia-s-record-usd279b-market-cap-loss-stack-up-8706251?utm_source=perplexity   A recent IBM study reveals that business leaders' confidence in IT has significantly declined, with only 47% considering their IT organization effective, down from 69% in 2013 ---  Our upcoming events and more: MASTERMIND LIVE – Denver, CO – NEXT WEEK Sept 26-27th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind  Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200!! SMBTechfest Q4 - Irvine, CA - October 17-18 www.smbtechfest.com Check out Amy's weekly newsletter!  Sign up now: https://mailchi.mp/thirdtier/small-business-tech-news Kernan Consulting “Weekly Tips”!  Sign up now: https://kernanconsulting.com/   

Firstly, the episode highlights the high demand for virtual CISO services among small to medium-sized businesses, emphasizing the gap between demand and supply. The rising need for virtual CISO services is attributed to regulatory compliance, increasing cyber attacks, and a shortage of cybersecurity skills. Service providers offering virtual CISO services report improved margins and revenue, indicating a significant growth opportunity in the market.Secondly, the episode covers the adoption of generative AI by small businesses. Despite concerns about job security and data privacy, employees recognize the productivity advantages of generative AI. To encourage adoption, small business owners are advised to centralize data management, integrate generative AI into operations, and emphasize its role in enhancing productivity. The episode stresses the importance of addressing customer pain points and customizing services accordingly, rather than focusing on buzzwords.The podcast also delves into government initiatives to enhance Internet routing security, particularly targeting vulnerabilities in the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). The White House has published a roadmap promoting the adoption of Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) to mitigate security risks associated with BGP. Additionally, a congressional hearing is scheduled to address the global CrowdStrike outage caused by a faulty security update, highlighting the importance of cyber hygiene and supply chain security.Lastly, the episode discusses strategic moves in the tech industry, including Verizon's acquisition of Frontier Communications to expand its fiber network, ScalePad's founder returning as CEO to focus on product integration, and the success of Fleet, a bootstrapped laptop leasing startup. The episode emphasizes the trend of consolidation in the managed services industry driven by private equity firms, the shift towards local processing of large language models, and the increasing adoption of AI services by MSPs. Overall, the episode provides insights into key developments shaping the tech landscape. Four things to know today00:00 Cynomi Report Reveals High Demand for vCISO Services, but Few Providers Offer Solutions to SMBs03:31 Congress to Hold Hearing on CrowdStrike Outage, Scrutinizing Cybersecurity Practices and Supply Chain Security04:43 ScalePad Founder Chris Day Returns as CEO, Shifts Focus to Product Integration and Doubling Subscription Revenue07:01 Private Equity Rollups Dominate MSP M&A Market, Driving Need for Standardization and Operational Integration Supported by:  https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/  Pulseway Event:  https://www.pulseway.com/v2/land/webinar-nexus-msp?rfid=vendor/?partnerref=vendor  All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessoftech.bsky.social

Episode Description: In this episode of Player: Engage, Greg talks with Dan Fox, a seasoned expert in cybersecurity and the leader of the cybersecurity team at ScalePad. Dan shares his career journey, insights into building successful startups, and the importance of staying curious and adaptable in the ever-evolving tech industry. They discuss the role of AI in cybersecurity, the importance of customer experience, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.Listen Here: Dan Fox - ScalePadTimestamps & Key Takeaways: 00:01.25 - 01:25.08: Greg introduces Dan Fox, highlighting his impressive background in cybersecurity and his role in various successful companies, including Smarsh, Securecast, Carbonite, and Webroot. 09:15.91 - 09:45.14: Startup Challenges and Strategies - Dan shares his experiences in startup environments, discussing the importance of wearing multiple hats, staying adaptable, and learning from both successes and failures. 25:26.28 - 25:58.21: Delivering Value to Customers - Emphasizes the importance of listening to customers, solving their problems effectively, and being an advisory partner rather than just a salesperson. 30:48.71 - 31:37.05: Staying Curious and Lifelong Learning - Dan highlights the significance of continuous learning and curiosity, sharing examples of how he expanded his knowledge through formal courses and self-education. 38:02.03 - 39:37.54: Leveraging AI in Cybersecurity - Discusses the integration of AI in cybersecurity for automating tasks, improving threat detection, and enhancing customer support processes.Key Concepts: Startup Environment: Dan emphasizes adaptability and versatility in startups, highlighting the need to wear multiple hats and learn from both successes and failures. Customer Experience: Dan underscores the importance of understanding and solving customer problems effectively. He believes in being an advisory partner to build strong, lasting relationships and trust. Continuous Learning: Staying curious and committed to lifelong learning is crucial. Dan shares his journey of continuous education, using formal courses and online resources to stay ahead in the tech industry. AI Integration: The integration of AI in cybersecurity is transforming the industry. Dan explains how AI automates tasks, enhances threat detection, and improves customer support processes, leading to greater efficiency and accuracy. Career Evolution: Dan's career demonstrates the importance of being open to new opportunities and adapting to different roles. His journey from customer support to founding successful startups and leading cybersecurity teams showcases the diverse paths to success in tech.

Welcome to Tate Talks Today I had the great pleasure of speaking with my good friend, MSP industry legend & best dressed man in the channel, Eric Torres of ScalePad. ⁠ About Eric With over 15 years' experience in the technology industry, building both a top-tier MSP as well as one of the top data security vendors, Eric shares his knowledge and experience with the IT channel. As VP, Channel, he brings expertise in business continuity and the MSP community, accompanied by a passion for educating the business community on the ever-changing cybersecurity threat landscape.   Connect with Eric on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠and check out the ScalePad website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music - https://www.purple-planet.com

Join Joey Pinz as he delves into an engaging conversation with Dan Fox and Brooke Lee, exploring the strategic approaches and insights of ScalePad and ControlMap. This episode covers the significance of integrating cybersecurity compliance for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and highlights the mutual benefits of ScalePad's product acquisitions. Dan and Brooke discuss the integration of ControlMap into ScalePad, emphasizing its role in collecting asset information and conducting compliance checks across systems. They also share personal anecdotes and industry experiences, offering valuable advice on the acquisition process for MSPs.Key HighlightsScalePad and ControlMap Integration: Learn about the deliberate strategy behind ScalePad's product acquisitions and the integration of ControlMap, designed to enhance cybersecurity compliance for MSPs.Evolution of Cybersecurity Platforms: Discover how ControlMap transitioned from a consulting tool to a vital resource for MSPs, addressing the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.Advice on Being Acquired: Gain insights into the acquisition process, including the importance of finding the right acquirer, aligning goals, and understanding valuations.

In this revealing episode of "Now That's IT," Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad, shares his unique journey from a world-class musician to a revered MSP advocate, discussing cthe pivotal transitions and decisions that shaped his career and how his background in music provided a rhythmic foundation for his innovative approach to MSP advocacy.Tune in as Luis provides actionable insights on navigating vendor relationships, leveraging personal experience to foster industry change, and advocating effectively for MSP interests. Whether you're an aspiring MSP owner or an established leader, this episode is packed with strategies to amplify your influence in the MSP ecosystem. Don't miss out on learning how to harmonize your business goals with industry dynamics, all while ensuring your voice is heard in the vendor landscape.Join us to find out how you can also hit the right notes in your MSP journey with Luis Giraldo's expert guidance!Get an in-person rundown on what N-able has to offer including products, insights, networking and more.The N-able Roadshow is visiting more cities than ever before in 2024. Take a look at our first group of locations; we may be in a city near you! -> http://spr.ly/6000RsTOq'Now that's it: Stories of MSP Success,' dives into the journeys of some of the trailblazers in our industry to find out how they used their passion for technology to help turn Managed Services into the thriving sector it is today. Every episode is packed with the valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiring anecdotes that lead our guests to the transformative moment when they knew….. Now, that's it.This podcast provides educational information about issues that may be relevant to information technology service providers. Nothing in the podcast should be construed as any recommendation or endorsement by N-able, or as legal or any other advice. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by N-able employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of N-able or its officers and directors. The podcast may also contain forward-looking statements regarding future product plans, functionality, or development efforts that should not be interpreted as a commitment from N-able related to any deliverables or timeframe. All content is based on information available at the time of recording, and N-able has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

This is one of my all time favorite episodes. Not only is Symon just a super cool dude that's fun to talk to, but he is exceptionally insightful. I learned a ton talking with him and I'm sure you will to. We discussed standing out in a crowded market, as well as many other topics you won't want to miss. Symon is the current Director of Brand at ScalePad and has many years of managing B2B marketing teams. Don't skip this one!

Many Sales Engineers are getting hit with layoffs, especially when there's a new acquisition. This happened to our guest before he knew what Sales Engineering was, Jeff Dryall. But it did not happen once or twice. It's happened multiple times, and Jeff used it as an opportunity to identify a new challenge and go after them, including becoming a Sales Engineer.   Show notes: https://wethesalesengineers.com/show298

In this bonus episode of The Business of Tech, Dave Sobel interviews Dan Wensley, the CEO of Scalepad. As a veteran in the MSP industry, Dan shares his insights and vision for Scalepad's new MSP platform. With a history of working together and being a customer, Dave and Dan have an engaging conversation about the future of the industry. Tune in to gain valuable insights from these industry experts. Recorded live at IT Nation Connect 2023.Supported by: https://gozynta.com/Want to take my class? https://www.itspu.com/all-classes/classes/navigating-emerging-technologies-for-msps/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.comFollow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftech

1.) MSP Question of The Week          What do you do when your customer hires one of your employees? Have you prepared with a non-solicitation in your agreement?  Did they let you know in advance or hire behind your back? Do you contact them?   All the questions answered with Host James!      2.) Five Minutes with a Smart person –   Steven Frank of TDSynnex   TDSynnex is MUCH MORE than a distributor, they are a partner We discussed resources that my customers use to grow and scale their business - real world success stories shared     3.) Notes on the News Topic    Host James addresses the most recent burning topics:   1. The 23andMe Breach – what should you do? 2. Scalepad acquires QUOTER 3. When do you hire someone BETTER than you? https://www.msptechnews.com/msp-news/hire/   --- Our upcoming events: Kernan Mastermind Roadshow Dec 7-8th, 2023 in Newport Beach CA –    http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind   https://kernanconsulting-mastermind.mykajabi.com/mastermind-event     Use code: EARLYBIRD   Jan 16-18th in Honolulu HI – MSSP Sales/Marketing workshop https://conference.fornixmarketing.com/hawaii-conference-3364   Our Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kernan-varcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/james.kernan https://www.facebook.com/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybabinchak/ https://www.facebook.com/amy.babinchak/

In this episode, we discuss the slow adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on IT spending. While generative AI has not significantly affected IT spending, Gartner predicts that this will change in 2025 as more tangible business use cases emerge. Despite this, organizations are still investing in broader AI and automation strategies to optimize efficiency and bridge IT talent gaps. Additionally, we explore the growing market for MSP products, with Scalepad, Huntress, and Compliance Risk making moves. Lastly, we delve into the intersection of AI, healthcare, and football, highlighting the initiatives of Microsoft and Amazon Prime. Tune in to stay informed on the latest developments in the business of tech.Four things to know today00:00 The Slow Burn of AI Adoption: Why Waiting Could Be a Mistake04:45 Artificial Intelligence in Governance: NYC Shows the Good, the Bad, and the Ethical Gray Area06:58 MSP Product Market Shakes Up: ScalePad, Huntress, and Compliance Risk Make Moves09:25 Healthcare and Football Through the Lens of AI: What Microsoft and Amazon Prime are Up ToAdvertiser: https://rfcode.com/mspradio CODE MSPRADIO for 30% off at checkoutLooking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.comFollow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftech

Three things to know today00:00 Exploring Unique 5G Use Cases: From Mines to Construction Sites02:40 One in Five Now Using macOS, Shows Steady Adoption Increase04:14 ScalePad and Rev.io Expand Portfolio with New AcquisitionsAdvertiser: https://gozynta.com/payments/Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.comFollow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/

Three things to know today Canalys research shows slowing growth in MSP tool vendors, indicating potential market shift    ScalePad expands its analytics platform with the acquisition of ControlMap for compliance automation software AND US unit labor costs rise faster than expected as productivity improves, Axios reports     Advertiser:  https://gozynta.com/payments/   Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/   Support the show on Patreon:  https://patreon.com/mspradio/   Want our stuff?  Cool Merch?  Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com   Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mspradionews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/  

We asked ChatGPT to suggest a show title inspired by Dr. Seuss, and this is what it came up with. Actually, we're responsible for the name, and its inspiration will become clear enough after you've listened to Matt, Rich, and returning guest host Jamison West, of ConnectStrat and TimeZest, discuss the new unified Kaseya and Datto partner program, Rob Rae's new gig with Pax8, ScalePad's latest vendor acquisition, and the secrets to identifying and avoiding burnout. Don't miss this week's interview either, in which Emma Werth of Cowbell Cyber provides a look at the cyberinsurance market from an insurer's point of view. It's an insightful conversation worth enjoying over a plate of green eggs and ham. Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly! iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGFubmVscHJvd2Vla2x5LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjq-N3UvNHyAhVWPs0KHYdTDmkQ9sEGegQIARAF Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-255-ham-and-dam-sam-i-am Topics and Related Links Mentioned: Kaseya Expands Unified Partner Program for Datto and Kaseya MSPs - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/kaseya-expands-unified-partner-program-datto-and-kaseya-msps Rob Rae Joins Pax8 in New Channel Leadership Role - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/rob-rae-joins-pax8-new-channel-leadership-role ScalePad Acquires Managed Services BI Vendor Cognition360 - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/scalepad-acquires-managed-services-bi-vendor-cognition360 Avoiding Burnout - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/avoiding-burnout Rich's ICYMI preview and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

Two things to know today Integrating Siloed Apps and Data: The Biggest Digital Transformation Challenge for Businesses AND Vendor Moves in the Channel: ScalePad Acquires Cognition360, Acronis Updates Partner Program, and More   Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/   Support the show on Patreon:  https://patreon.com/mspradio/   Want our stuff?  Cool Merch?  Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com   Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mspradionews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/  

Tate Talks with…. Chris Day It was great to finally get Chris Day onto the Podcast. He's a great story to tell about his journey through the MSP industry. Most people will know him as the founder of IT Glue, but there is a lot more to it than that. Enjoy. About Chris Chris Day is a recognized technology leader, strategist, and investor. In 2002, Chris founded Fully Managed, and led its growth to become one of Canada's largest and most successful Managed Services Providers (MSPs) for SMBs. In 2022, Fully Managed was acquired by TELUS, one of Canada's largest telecommunications providers. In 2013, Chris launched his first SaaS venture, IT Glue. IT Glue quickly became an industry-leading documentation platform which was acquired by Kaseya via Insight Venture Partners in 2016. In 2015, Chris launched his investment firm Top Down Ventures, and began investing in early-stage SaaS companies, including Backup Radar, ScalePad, Quoter, ControlMap, iQKitchen and Produce8. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbday/ Topdown Website - https://www.topdown.com/ Chris spoke about : Credits: Music - https://www.purple-planet.com

Tate Talks with…. Luis Giraldo Really interesting conversation with Luis - We touched upon his music career, touring with Shakira and how he found himself in the world of IT and MSPs. About Luis Luis Giraldo serves as ScalePad's CXO, helming its Partner Success and IT organizations. In addition to building his own MSP business, Luis previously developed and commercialized SaaS application Monkey Box, and has held senior leadership roles in product, strategy, and marketing at major MSP tool vendors IT Glue and N-able prior to joining ScalePad. A consummate IT professional and product strategist, Luis provides thought leadership to the industry, and presents frequently on MSP best practices and strategies. Contact Luis https://twitter.com/luisgiraldo https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisgiraldo/ Michael Fass I don't have the link to Luis's album yet, in the meantime here is the one from Michael Fass that we mentioned. Credits: Music - https://www.purple-planet.com Tate Talks is kindly sponsored by JumpCloud for MSPs

Let me ask you a controversial question: When was the last time you took inventory of all the computers and devices in your organization? What is being backed up? Have you checked it? If you don't know what hardware you own, or what software subscriptions you are paying for then you might be overpaying or getting underserved. Think of this. If you have ever attempted to grow a business or organize your business, one of the first things you do is take inventory of what you own, your assets, your goods. Turn up the volume and listen up! Joining Barb today is Dan Wensley, CEO of ScalePad, a leading company that offers innovative solutions to companies like CDN Technologies so they can help their customers with backup radar, hardware and software asset management, monitoring, warranty services and compliance. 0:00 – Barb's Introduction 3:10 – Who are Dan Wensley and ScalePad? 8:59 – What can we do to help people who are not in the tech space realize that hardware has an expiration date? 15:25 – Warranties are current, secure and up to date. What about backing up devices and staying safe? 22:20 – What is the most important thing Dan has ever learned? This podcast has been brought to you by CDNTechnologies.com. Canada's first and only certified outsourced IT Company where we provide IT Service, IT Support and Cyber Security to businesses all throughout North America from out worldwide headquarters in Oakville, Ontario. Technology and threats change daily, so shift the stress of managing your technology to us, as we're direct to tech 24/7/365. Our mission is to bring you User Friendly, Hands Free, Technology Peace. Call us at 905-542-9759.

Every single prospect over 20 seats this year has asked me about reporting... That used to NEVER happen! It's important that we consistently listen to the market and adapt. For years we thought "no one even looks at these reports." Yes, because the 20 page reports of the past sucked. We didn't look at them, the client didn't look at them, they were useless. In this episode, we sit down with the VP of Channel at ScalePad/Lifecycle Manager to discuss effective reporting you should be providing to your clients. We've used their product for years and it was a MAJOR player in easily replacing 1,000+ Windows 7 computers a few years ago. Don't miss this episode. Check out ScalePad, I highly recommend them: https://www.scalepad.com/ MSP-camp.com is officially live! If you want to save hundreds of hours in campaign/content/template creation and gain access to the greatest MSP content in the world, please consider becoming a member. Whether you opt for a Free Scout badge to join the community and gain access to our guides or a Ranger/Leader badge to unlock tons of useful content, we look forward to seeing you at camp!

From musician to IT Exec, Luis Giraldo, CXO at ScalePad takes a deep dive with Julian into growing an MSP into a thriving business. Luis has built and sold two IT Services businesses, worked on the vendor side of the equation and now defines himself as an MSP Advocate. All while still finding time to tour with Shakira for 6 months playing keyboards! Luis talks about the nuances between loving tech and loving helping people with tech. Its all about creating an effective customer experience and focusing on the areas to scale and grow your business from the beginning and integrating into your company culture. Some excellent ideas and tips in this episode so be ready to take a few notes. You can connect with Luis through LinkedIN or email him directly at luis.giraldo@scalepad.com   

Episode 141 includes: How one MSP has driven huge growth over the last couple of years - what they did and why Which business cards have a place in your wallet in 2022? Plus on the show this week, a sales expert with advice to make selling much easier for you Featured guest: Thank you to Adam Wootton from Impact Sales Coaching for joining Paul to talk about how MSPs can make selling easier. Adam has 20 years sales experience ranging from telesales, field sales, key account sales, key account management and leading high performance teams. He launched Impact Sales Coaching five years ago and has delivered results for large corporates and SME's spanning sectors such as telecommunications, IT infrastructure, finance, logistics, education, manufacturing, recruitment and events. Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/adam-wootton-b4607015 Show notes: Out every Tuesday on your favourite podcast platform Presented by Paul Green, an MSP marketing expert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-green-msp-marketing/ https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/about/ On the subject of the MSP demonstrating momentum, Paul recommended listening back to Episode 140: https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/podcast/episode140 On the subject of using classic marketing techniques (like printed newsletters), Paul recommended listening back to Episode 134: https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/podcast/episode134 Find out more about Paul Green's MSP Marketing Edge: https://www.mspmarketingedge.com/ Right now you can watch the extended interview with this week's featured guests on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEBEL1Sh4Z-t3PXKbsW7b4BC Thank you to Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad for recommending the book Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Changing-World-Order-Nations-Succeed/dp/1982160276 https://ca.linkedin.com/in/luisgiraldo In next week's episode, Paul will be joined by Harold Mann from Mann Consulting to explain why the MSP on-site tech visit is dead: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmann Subscribe to Paul's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mspmarketing Subscribe to this podcast using your favourite podcast provider:

Episode 141 includes: How one MSP has driven huge growth over the last couple of years - what they did and why Which business cards have a place in your wallet in 2022? Plus on the show this week, a sales expert with advice to make selling much easier for you Featured guest: Thank you to Adam Wootton from Impact Sales Coaching for joining Paul to talk about how MSPs can make selling easier. Adam has 20 years sales experience ranging from telesales, field sales, key account sales, key account management and leading high performance teams. He launched Impact Sales Coaching five years ago and has delivered results for large corporates and SME's spanning sectors such as telecommunications, IT infrastructure, finance, logistics, education, manufacturing, recruitment and events. Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/adam-wootton-b4607015 Show notes: Out every Tuesday on your favourite podcast platform Presented by Paul Green, an MSP marketing expert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-green-msp-marketing/ https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/about/ On the subject of the MSP demonstrating momentum, Paul recommended listening back to Episode 140: https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/podcast/episode140 On the subject of using classic marketing techniques (like printed newsletters), Paul recommended listening back to Episode 134: https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/podcast/episode134 Find out more about Paul Green's MSP Marketing Edge: https://www.mspmarketingedge.com/ Right now you can watch the extended interview with this week's featured guests on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEBEL1Sh4Z-t3PXKbsW7b4BC Thank you to Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad for recommending the book Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Changing-World-Order-Nations-Succeed/dp/1982160276 https://ca.linkedin.com/in/luisgiraldo In next week's episode, Paul will be joined by Harold Mann from Mann Consulting to explain why the MSP on-site tech visit is dead: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmann Subscribe to Paul's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mspmarketing Subscribe to this podcast using your favourite podcast provider:

Episode 132 includes: Valuable advice for keeping on top of cash flow The benefit to your MSP of doing a 'ticket frenzy' Plus on the show this week an industry expert joins Paul to explain why now is the time to get things done and move your MSP forward Featured guest Thank you to Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad and CEO of Ook Enterprises, for joining Paul to talk about why MSP should focus on growth in the second half of 2022. Luis has founded, scaled and sold various successful IT businesses since 2006. He created SaaS documentation platform Monkey Box in 2013, which was acquired by IT Glue in 2017. He has since held key executive roles with vendors such as IT Glue, Kaseya, and N-able, and is an influential leader in the global MSP space. Luis helms the Partner Success and IT organisations, and brings deep MSP experience, thought leadership, and long-term strategic focus to ScalePad. Connect with Luis on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/luisgiraldo Show notes Out every Tuesday on your favourite podcast platform Presented by Paul Green, an MSP marketing expert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-green-msp-marketing/ https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/about/ You can join Paul in the MSP Marketing group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mspmarketing/ Right now you can watch the extended interview with this week's featured guests on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEBEL1Sh4Z-t3PXKbsW7b4BC To dig deeper into this episode, Paul joins Sophie Law on the complimentary YouTube show 'Another Byte', from this coming Thursday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEAXxJRY5vU4LWldRNLjZZng Thank you to lead generation and LinkedIn expert Mark Firth for recommending the book The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Almanack-Naval-Ravikant-Wealth-Happiness-ebook/dp/B08FF8MTM6 https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfirthonline In next week's episode, Paul will be joined by RevOps specialist (and the creator of the Feel-Good MSP) Brian Gillette, to talk about how you can actually feel-good about selling: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-gillette-27884b128 Subscribe to Paul's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mspmarketing Subscribe to this podcast using your favourite podcast provider:

Episode 132 includes: Valuable advice for keeping on top of cash flow The benefit to your MSP of doing a 'ticket frenzy' Plus on the show this week an industry expert joins Paul to explain why now is the time to get things done and move your MSP forward Featured guest Thank you to Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad and CEO of Ook Enterprises, for joining Paul to talk about why MSP should focus on growth in the second half of 2022. Luis has founded, scaled and sold various successful IT businesses since 2006. He created SaaS documentation platform Monkey Box in 2013, which was acquired by IT Glue in 2017. He has since held key executive roles with vendors such as IT Glue, Kaseya, and N-able, and is an influential leader in the global MSP space. Luis helms the Partner Success and IT organisations, and brings deep MSP experience, thought leadership, and long-term strategic focus to ScalePad. Connect with Luis on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/luisgiraldo Show notes Out every Tuesday on your favourite podcast platform Presented by Paul Green, an MSP marketing expert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-green-msp-marketing/ https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/about/ You can join Paul in the MSP Marketing group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mspmarketing/ Right now you can watch the extended interview with this week's featured guests on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEBEL1Sh4Z-t3PXKbsW7b4BC To dig deeper into this episode, Paul joins Sophie Law on the complimentary YouTube show 'Another Byte', from this coming Thursday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEAXxJRY5vU4LWldRNLjZZng Thank you to lead generation and LinkedIn expert Mark Firth for recommending the book The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Almanack-Naval-Ravikant-Wealth-Happiness-ebook/dp/B08FF8MTM6 https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfirthonline In next week's episode, Paul will be joined by RevOps specialist (and the creator of the Feel-Good MSP) Brian Gillette, to talk about how you can actually feel-good about selling: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-gillette-27884b128 Subscribe to Paul's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mspmarketing Subscribe to this podcast using your favourite podcast provider:

Episode 131 includes: Why MSPs aren't charging properly - and why this is CRAZY The pros and cons of making follow-up phone calls to clients after support Plus there's an opportunity for extra monthly recurring revenue Featured guest Thank you to Max Pruger, Compliance Manager at Kaseya, for joining Paul to talk about a brand new 'compliance as a service' revenue opportunity. This interview with Max was recorded back in February 2022, a few weeks before Kaseya announced the acquisition of Datto. Max has been a pioneer in the managed services industry since the late 1990s. He currently serves as SVP and GM of Compliance Manager, VulScan and MyITProcess and is responsible for Kaseya's go to market strategy for his respective business units. Max began his MSP career at USWeb as a founding member of that company's managed service division. He has also held the position of Senior Architect at IBM. Max holds a BS in Computer Science from American University and an MBA from the University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business. Connect with Max on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxpruger Show notes Out every Tuesday on your favourite podcast platform Presented by Paul Green, an MSP marketing expert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-green-msp-marketing/ https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/about/ Find out more about Paul Green's MSP Marketing Edge: https://www.mspmarketingedge.com/ Right now you can watch the extended interview with this week's featured guests on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEBEL1Sh4Z-t3PXKbsW7b4BC To dig deeper into this episode, Paul joins Sophie Law on the complimentary YouTube show 'Another Byte', from this coming Thursday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEAXxJRY5vU4LWldRNLjZZng Thank you to Nicholas Ashford from Fordhouse for recommending the book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extreme-Ownership-Jocko-Willink/dp/1250067057 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nicholasashford In next week's episode, Paul will be joined by Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad and CEO of Ook Enterprises, to talk about MSP opportunities for the second half of 2022: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/luisgiraldo Subscribe to Paul's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mspmarketing Subscribe to this podcast using your favourite podcast provider:

Episode 131 includes: Why MSPs aren't charging properly - and why this is CRAZY The pros and cons of making follow-up phone calls to clients after support Plus there's an opportunity for extra monthly recurring revenue Featured guest Thank you to Max Pruger, Compliance Manager at Kaseya, for joining Paul to talk about a brand new 'compliance as a service' revenue opportunity. This interview with Max was recorded back in February 2022, a few weeks before Kaseya announced the acquisition of Datto. Max has been a pioneer in the managed services industry since the late 1990s. He currently serves as SVP and GM of Compliance Manager, VulScan and MyITProcess and is responsible for Kaseya's go to market strategy for his respective business units. Max began his MSP career at USWeb as a founding member of that company's managed service division. He has also held the position of Senior Architect at IBM. Max holds a BS in Computer Science from American University and an MBA from the University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business. Connect with Max on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxpruger Show notes Out every Tuesday on your favourite podcast platform Presented by Paul Green, an MSP marketing expert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-green-msp-marketing/ https://www.paulgreensmspmarketing.com/about/ Find out more about Paul Green's MSP Marketing Edge: https://www.mspmarketingedge.com/ Right now you can watch the extended interview with this week's featured guests on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEBEL1Sh4Z-t3PXKbsW7b4BC To dig deeper into this episode, Paul joins Sophie Law on the complimentary YouTube show 'Another Byte', from this coming Thursday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRSdM8tZbEAXxJRY5vU4LWldRNLjZZng Thank you to Nicholas Ashford from Fordhouse for recommending the book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extreme-Ownership-Jocko-Willink/dp/1250067057 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nicholasashford In next week's episode, Paul will be joined by Luis Giraldo, Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad and CEO of Ook Enterprises, to talk about MSP opportunities for the second half of 2022: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/luisgiraldo Subscribe to Paul's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mspmarketing Subscribe to this podcast using your favourite podcast provider:

With so much focus around cybersecurity over the past few years and looking ahead to escalating threats in 2022 and beyond, its easy to lose focus on how Managed Security fits into our current stack. The evolution of the IT Service Provider began with Break Fix, then to a recurring revenue model with Managed Services and now Managed Security. What is the mindset of our customers and how do they view IT Services? Luis Giraldo, CXO at ScalePad, talks with Ryan about shared responsibilities with customers and growing along side them. Luis see's the next logical step over the next few years as continued evolution into a trusted business advisor and partner. They give us some great insights and ideas around making this evolution by looking at it from the client's perspective. Taking periodic 10,000 foot views of your business and offerings are critical to growth and long term success. They give us a fresh perspective in this episode which all IT Service Providers will interpret a little differently depending on where they are in the evolution, however great ideas that apply to us all.  

Topics: -This week we welcome back our friend, Luis Giraldo. Luis is CEO at Ook Enterprises and Chief Experience Officer at ScalePad.  -A long standing MSP, Luis started Monkey Box in 2013, which carried him over to IT Glue.   -Luis speaks about managing his time between his MSP company and time with ScalePad.  -Luis discusses the hero complex that consultants face, where we just want to do right by the customer but have trouble billing appropriately for our time.  -ScalePad addresses this head on and approaches conversations with customers as a service activity as opposed to a sales pitch.  -As Sam recalls learning about scheduled client meetings from Luis' appearance in years past, he talks of more automated and regular reports.  -Jerry wants to hear about Luis' business story through Covid times.  -Somehow he has not opened Apple Mail in months. He has moved to web mail clients and talks about the hardware being of less importance as cloud is the focus.. -Both Sam and Luis have been having trouble hiring new employees. They discuss the employee driven market.  -Joe has had thoughts about stock options or profit sharing. Luis also brings up what small businesses have to think about to retain employees for the long term.  -IT consultancy acquisitions and personal brands are hot topics as of late.  Care to reach out to Luis Giraldo or learn more about him? Look no further. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisgiraldo Paul Dippell Interview https://www.n-able.com/studio/paul-dippell-on-operational-maturity ScalePad - Chief Experience Officer (CXO) https://www.scalepad.com Ook Enterprises - CEO https://ook.co Luis' Jazz albums on Apple Music "It's Always You" - 2008 - https://music.apple.com/ca/album/its-always-you/285522012 "Day Dream" - 2002 - https://music.apple.com/ca/album/day-dream/58606887 (New album coming in 2022 with the New York-based Ben Paterson Trio!) In the immediate future, he will be in Phoenix Jan 18-20 for the IoTSSA conference https://www.iotssa.com/cybersecurity-expo-phoenix/

If you're into tube steak and sports, this is the episode for you. You'll like it if you're just into managed services too, because Matt, Rich, and returning guest host Scott Beck, of BeckTek, have plenty to say about the new billing reconciliation solution from Gradient MSP, the new digital maturity scoring and data asset management offerings from ScalePad, and the addition of endpoints to Liongard's “unified visibility” platform. Then your hosts are joined by Forrester analyst Jay McBain for a thought-provoking look at the top 10 “uber-trends” affecting the SMB channel. You'll find it WAY more nourishing than any hot dog you've eaten. Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly! iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGFubmVscHJvd2Vla2x5LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjq-N3UvNHyAhVWPs0KHYdTDmkQ9sEGegQIARAF Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-207-hot-dogs-left-field Topics and Related Links Mentioned: Scott Beck's personal website - https://www.becktek.ca/scottbeck Jay McBain's Forrester blog - https://www.forrester.com/blogs/author/jay_mcbain Jay McBain's personal website - https://www.jaymcbain.com/ Gradient MSP Launches Billing Reconciliation Solution - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/gradient-msp-launches-billing-reconciliation-solution ScalePad Acquires Backup Radar, Rolls Out “Digital Maturity” Scores - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/scalepad-acquires-backup-radar-rolls-out-digital-maturity-scores Liongard Adds Endpoint Data to “Unified Visibility” Platform - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/liongard-adds-endpoint-data-unified-visibility-platform Service Manager Success Secrets - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/service-manager-success-secrets Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

Our first guest of the series is Luis Giraldo, who made a life-changing pivot from Music to Tech! Luis started his career as a professional musician, playing at international shows for Pop Star Shakira; more recently, Luis's stage-time consists of delivering speaking as an executive and industry leader to thousands of IT Providers across the globe. Luis is well-known in the technology and MSP space, having worked for IT Glue and N-Able. He now runs his own successful MSP and has recently been appointed as Chief Experience Officer of ScalePad - an application that automates asset lifecycle management for hardware, software, and warranty services for MSPs.

Brian sits down with Dan Wensley, CEO of ScalePad, Adam Slutskin, CRO at Liongard and Zak Karsan, CEO of Vault America for a look ahead to 2021 and beyond. With Thanksgiving around the corner it's a good time for reflection on a turbulent year to say the least, however there are many silver linings when we look closely. When standing in the face of adversity, change is sped up and in many cases forced, where we may have otherwise been a little more complacent and comfortable. ‘Remember what we've learned this year and continue to build on it' states Adam. Technology is properly recognized as an essential service and MSPs have evolved into trusted technology consultants. As they say….'The world is our oyster', it's where we take our business and expertise from here…that's up to us.

Dan Wensley, CEO at ScalePad talks with Brian about the evolution of Warranty Master to ScalePad and what this means for IT Service Providers. With the addition of Software Asset Lifecycle Management into their current Hardware Management platform, this gives IT Service Providers clarity on customer environments. ‘Once you collect the data, its amazing what you find' states Dan. And the new name, in case you were wondering….Launch pad to scale your success. Love it and a big congratulations and also thank you to Dan and his team for continuing to drive growth and success for their partners in the channel.