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Topic 1: Is the age of hardware over – or are we just beginning?
We used to count computers in thousands or millions. Now we count cameras and IOT devices in billions.
Ryan mentioned this quote recently: “Hardware eventually fails. Software eventually works.” – Michael Hartung
Link for Daniel Burris: https://www.amazon.com/Flash-Foresight-How-Invisible-Impossible/dp/0061922293
(Book = Flash Foresight)
One of Burris’ rules for predicting the future is that “the physical” will disappear in favor of the virtual. At the same time, everything is always connected. Hardware seems to be everywhere, not going away. But specific devices are now disposable.
Where do you make your money? As always, there’s hardware, software, and services. What’s the mix that makes your business work?
Topic 2: How do we differentiate “MSPs” when there are so many kinds of MSPs?
The term “MSP” has become so generalized that it seems to be a generic term for anyone who provides any technician services. What’s the difference between someone like Accenture, versus TeamLogic (franchise), versus someone getting to National Scope (All Covered), versus someone local?
Is everyone an MSP and we just have to sort it out? How does size and reach matter?
As we hark back to Episode One, we continue to work on what MSP might mean going ahead. And what alternatives should we be using? Technology service provider? Solution provider.
What do YOU want your company to be called?
Topic 3: Unique Session – Quick interview of Dave Sobel by Karl Palachuk
Dave’s latest venture is MSP Radio – see https://www.mspradio.com – and his first podcast offering is The Business of Tech. BOT is a daily (five days per week) five minute podcast. Each podcast covers three quick topics – all related to members of the technology channel.
Dave has a long history in our community. He has been an IT service provider and a vendor in the channel. So he has an interesting filter to help us all find the value in this and answer the question, “Why do we care?”
Check out his new podcast and let him know what you think.
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