Managed Service Provider Week in Review

We’ve written quite a bit recently about how MSPs are cautiously embracing the cloud computing model and finding ways to entrench themselves in an evolving supply chain for delivering services. Strategic alliances, partnerships and mergers are all playing an important role in this transformation but emerging technology trends like software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) are also beginning to gain traction.

The big business news on the managed services front this week was MSX International’s (MSXI) acquisition of the MSP division of IQNavigator. The companies have joined forces to form a new entity, Geometric Results, specializing in global human capital services. By joining forces, the two firms are creating what is slated to become the world’s largest independent MSP.

On the technology front, French public cloud provider Cloudwatt is using the OpenContrail solution to improve their network operations efficiency. The open source project was launched last year by Juniper Networks and promotes innovation of SDN and NFV technologies to foster cloud computing adoption. Cloudwatt is taking advantage of the technologies to ensure data security throughout their cloud deployment as well, in the hope of becoming a force in the European cloud market.

In a noteworthy industry alliance, Bizdox has joined ConnectWise and other key technology partners as part of the ModernOffice suite of solutions. The company, which offers documentation technology, has joined LabTech Software and Quosal to layer their offerings on the ConnectWise business operations platform. The suite is geared toward MSPs and solution providers.

Unisys Corporation has won a contract to develop and maintain applications for Aena Navegacion, a national air traffic control service provider. Through the agreement, Unisys will develop apps relating to the company’s finances, sales, human resources, planning and geographic information systems as well as maintaining its public website. Aena Navegacion is hoping to separate its IT-based operations from the other business operations to reduce costs and improve application performance and efficiencies.

NTT Communications and NVIDIA have renewed and strengthened their partnership in an effort to expand NVIDIA’s regional hub and presence in the Asia Pacific Region. The company is using NTT’s Hong Kong data center facilities and managed ICT offerings to provide services to the region while enjoying increased uptime and better network and operations efficiencies.